I keep hearing the next big thing is going to be zombies. So I thought what the heck why not give it a shot? Perhaps I don’t have a talent for zombie drama, but here’s my attempt.
Babs lay face down on the pavement. Her warm blood flowing away from her like a river, carrying her life with it. She was helpless to do anything but watch. With a last shuttering gasp blackness enveloped her…
“Hey lady, you ok?”
The smell of vomit and cheap liquor stung her nose. Babs gagged. Perhaps she had cheated death after all. She pulled herself up. The ugly gapping wound was still there, but there was no blood. Her heart wasn’t beating. She wasn’t breathing.
“Oh geeze, not undead,” Babs said. “Anything but zombie. This is going to put a damper on my sex life. And the whole flesh eating thing. I’m a vegetarian for gosh sakes. This isn’t going to work for me,” she yelled to no one in particular.



As much as I unexpectedly enjoyed World War Z, I just KNOW that I could not write a zombie story. My characters talk rubbish: Zombies don’t speak at all! No – wait a minute – what if MY zombies were terribly polite? Might that work?
I think that would be as funny as H – E – Double hockey sticks
I’m not fond of zombies, but this gave me a chuckle. d:)
Thank you. Hopefully it gave you a warm spot in your heart for the flesh eating undead.
Terribly polite zombies? Sounds like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Fun stuff.
Polite? I was going for sexy. Crap.
Terribly polite zombies…that could be interesting…sounds sort of like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies maybe?
Haven’t read it. I was trying to catch the band wagon, but wound up on the caboose.
I can relate. I got about halfway through it and enjoyed it well enough, but I have to admit I didn’t finish it because it felt too much like a one-trick pony.
Thanks, I appreciate your candor.
Nice one, really nice characterization. Maybe you should do a short story with it.
I have a phobia for short stories I have to get over. Thanks for the suggestion.
A phobia?? That is something new. From what I read, I guess you will write about one ‘very happy’ and ‘satisfied’ zombie. I had it too and it stayed with me until I wrote my first short story then I became ‘manic’ about writing short stories… Hmmm, that is a nice idea for a blog post. Damn, It didn’t strike me!! Anyways, happy writing and hope to see you overcome your ‘phobia’… Cheers!!
I know it stupid, right? I’ve been trying to write a short story and get all wrapped up in what I don’t know. How long is a short story? How many turning points should it have? How do you know an idea can be handled in a short story? Is there a short story structure? How do I plot it? I think I’m going to have to stop trying to figure out how and just do. Thanks.
I just STARTED reading World War Z. Wish me luck!
Yeah, good luck with that.
Hey there Deidra, thanks for liking my post. I thought I’d pay you a visit…and woohooo….ZOMBIES!! You have some incredibly interesting ideas!
I have a twist on even the twisted. My mind strays off the beaten path a lot.
Well Done ! I enjoy reading, it certainly got my attention.
Thanks now to think of what could happen next?
nice a start to something interesting! I love the old Romero zombie flicks. I especially love that Babs is a veggie
I like the idea of making her the opposite of everything zombie. Will be working on this one more next year.
s/The ugly gapping wound/The ugly gaping wound/
Just tuppence from an old pendant
Thanks you’re the first to catch that.
I like it. It really does have a lot of potential. I think this would be a great short story.
Thanks I’m planning on working more on it.
BiYEE! AIYAAAHH!. Oh. (Phew.) It’s fiction.
LOL
What a hoot!
Thank you I love a hoot.
I’m a zombie fan so I thought this was awesome!
From a zombie fan that’s really a compliment. Thank you.
Personally, I would read a vegetarian zombie story. Seriously, the humor potential is limitless. I’m thinking perky children’s book. Would you mind if I stole this idea to do a little storybook for my nieces? Absolutely brilliant.
I keep saying it’s going to be a children’s picture book. My friends gasp in horror
First, let me thank you for liking my post. Next let me recommend a zombie novel that embodies themes you hint at in your short zombie passage. The title of the novel is “Warm Bodies”: A zombie who yearns for a better life ends up falling in love with a human, in this original debut novel. R is a zombie. He has no memories, no identity, and no pulse, but he has dreams. He doesn’t enjoy killing people; he enjoys riding escalators and listening to Frank Sinatra. He is a little different from his fellow Dead. Not just another zombie novel, this is funny, scary, and deeply moving. It’s by Isaac Marion.
Thanks for the recommendation. It sounds like a great book I’ll have to look it up.
Vampire, Zombies….what next?? Well, it keeps life interesting so what the heck! I think a zombie children’s book would be a hit…my nursery kids are bored. Be waiting for your book…and thanks for the Follow!
Vampire, zombies and werewolves, oh my
I would second the call for a short story on this one. In a market saturated with zombie fiction, this is significantly different. And in a good way.
Thanks I’m planning to expand this to a short story next year.
That’s quite a lot of fun. Glad I was able to get a look at it. And thanks awfully for your repeated support of my blog. I appreciate it.
john/the cineaste
http://www.thecineasteslament.com
You are very welcome and thank you.
[...] a quirky little blog of short stories in the supernatural vein including books of demons and zombies. The author, Deidra Alexander, has a refreshingly witty voice. Her blog posts are full of fun, [...]
Thank you so much for your review. You are super sweet to write such a flattering review.
I don’t get zombies. In my youth, zombies were the walking dead. That’s all they did. No munching on people. Just tromping around, looking like Republicans…
I wondered where all the zombies went to congress.
Your reader Pedantry above mentioned the one typo–I’ll throw in that ‘shuttered’ is a homophone for the word you want: ‘shuddered’ (though the windows of her dying eyes might have become shuttered momentarily!).
But I have to say, a fun and engaging foray into zombie territory. I’d be interested in seeing where the late Babs goes in her new guise!
Thank you for the kind words and the typo. I’m also comma challenged.
hahaha excellent
Thank you.
Hi Deidra,
Thanks for liking my post on DIY Christmas wrap. Your blog is very interesting and I love the photography on it!
Thank you. I love the crafty stuff. I don’t have such talent.
Thanks for liking the post! Some great photography you have!
Your welcome, though I can’t take credit for the photos I just have a great eye.
Ha! I’ve always thought the Zombie genre could use an update. Maybe talking zombies wouldn’t be so bad.
Hey everything evolves right.
Thanks for liking my post. Your favorite plot sounds a lot like life, or maybe just my life, except the dead people part…but hang on, I do sometimes feel like a zombie. Does that count?
You never know you might want to double check.
I love this! i write a design blog, but i love zombies so much that I had to write a zombie-design post.
http://lavitapetite.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/not-all-those-who-wander-are-lost/
thanks for visiting my blog, I will come to your for sure
Awesome, you rock!!
Thanks for the visit, Deidra, which led me to you, my long lost ghoul soul sister. I used to write short stories until photography and painting overtook my other self (who used to have vacant stares when struck with an inspiring plot without and end). Good luck with your short stories too.
Thank you. You may be my other half. I would love to have artistic talent alas it was not meant to be.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
You have very interesting perspective and twist to your stories.
I followed you
Hope to see more stories.
Thanks, you you enjoy.
Nicely done!!
Thanks.
A vegetarian zombie — cool. Perhaps your zombie could become a politician?
I think politicians a definitely meat eaters and many bottom dwellers. Thanks for the idea.
Hey thanks for stopping by and liking my blog post. I first noticed the word zombie and got very excited. as i read your intro to the story i thought to myself the same thoughts you had, “i’ve don’t think i have what it takes to be a zombie writer, but if i gave it a shot….” then i read on and you did exactly what i thought to do, write from the infected point of view. Now, I’m not big on reading unless it’s a blog post or an article, but i’ve never read or watched anything about zombies trying to survive. they’re always trying to be brought down. i like the start of it. you should definitely continue with this.
Thanks, I appreciate your perspective.
Haha, good start. “Monster Island” is a good book taken from (in part) a zombie’s perspective. I believe it started as an online collection of shorts.
Here’s a zombie short story from another WordPress site which I really enjoyed: http://jessendchapman.wordpress.com/writing/corporate-zombie/
Thanks for the recommendation. I love to read zombie fiction.
You know there was a special on the history channel about the impending zombie plague. It’s supposedly a real thing.
I certainly hope not. I’m having enough trouble with the common cold.
These things are more entertaining with humor, so don’t take it the wrong way when I say that’s funny!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
Humor is my middle name.
Very fun – zombies are best when you use them to play!
Not much of a traditionalist.
As an opener that would pretty much have me hooked… Can’t beat a bit of light hearted (s’cuse the pun) blood and guts…
thanks, love your photography.
If zombies are the next vampires, ala Twilight, perhaps vegetarian zombies are a go… lol
I’m still playing with the idea.
Deidra loved your post.Don’t you just love zombies.I also think you should right a short story.I am a member at bookrix.com.Give it a look loads of short stories for inspiration.This is not an add campain just a idea as i think you have talent.Take care darren
Thanks Darren, I’ll take a look.
I dunno… I’m a bit of a zombie fan myself, but I’ve always liked the traditional shambling zombies. Movies like 28 Days Later and the Dawn of the Dead remake just deviate too far from the traditional zombie, and take away all the appeal of the zombie mystique.
My personal take on zombies are that they are a metaphor for inevitability. You can easily outrun them and hide from them, but eventually, where are you going to run to, and what is there to live for? Maybe use that as a jump off point for your short story?
Interesting perspective. I’ll have to think about it. Thanks.
Hi Deidra, thanks for liking my post
You are welcome.
Hi Deidra,
I’m a big zombie nut, originally it was all about the George Romero classics, but hey it’s a fertile genre !! Never mind what the original definition of a zombie was and forget metaphors, we want enrichment in this field now, anyone can tell a story about shuffling monsters!! I read your three paragraphs and I’m hooked, I’m hungrier than a freshly turned zombie for more of your original take on the zombie theme. It’s also the first time we have had zombie thoughts relayed to us. Never mind a short story Miss D lets have a made-for-tv series to push “the walking dead” aside or better still a movie screenplay. pleeeaaase.
xx
Big Pete
Awesome thought. I love TV.
A story with a zombie as a main character could be kind of like “Flowers for Algernon”, with memory and personality fading away as the body rots, etc. A metaphor for the onset of dementia? Childhood’s end? Great little stories, by the way – and thanks for the like on our art blog!
Thanks. I think artists are so lucky to have such talent.
Fun piece of Flash Fiction. Have you considered sending it over to Karen Wojcik Berner for inclusion in her Flash Fiction Friday series of guest works? Might be fun, and you might get some additional traffic from it.
I’ll have to do that. Thanks.
This made me smile. Kevin
Then it was worth the effort.
I’ve heard that too….next big thing. Let’s hope they don’t sparkle and become ZILF’s
I’m still not over the sparkling vampires. Maybe zombies will just fart sparkles. Okay I made myself laugh, time for bed.
Hey! I just did a bio for this artists in Reno, Nevada named Trevercrow! He is working on an Indie Zombie movie script now! Pretty cool! Thanks for reading my blog too!
That’s cool. I’ll have to look him oup.
Thanks for liking my Master’s garden painting blog.
You have a fresh point of view. I love your blogs. Very original stories. Can’t wait to read more.
Gwyn
Thanks, you too.
Thanks I seem to twist even the already twist.
I enjoyed it! As a huge fan (and writer) of zombie fiction, it’s always nice to see someone jumping in there with both feet and putting some zombified fiction out there…
And I say you need to write that first short story… it might surprise you… or kill you… either way…
Armand Rosamilia
Thanks I’m including writing a couple of longer short stories as my new year’s resolution.
Wow — very cool blog, and I’m so happy you “liked” my post on What Gives 365! I’m starting a new blog “Heifer 12 x 12″ in January — going to 12 countries in 12 months in 2012 and visiting Heifer International projects … so come along vicariously with me. It’s going to be amazing, daunting, scary, joyful, exhausting, inspiring — a lot like your writing, actually!! Thanks for the shout; I’ll be back ….
I’m looking forward to your new adventures. Good luck.
“Her warm blood flowing away from her like a river, carrying her life with it.” When i read this i thought to myself, “shit, what great line, i wish i would have thought of it.”
Thanks that line is part of a reoccurring dream I’ve had for over 10 years.
Nice. Great intro.
I appreciate it.
You’ve definitely got something here. You should continue this and make it into a longer story. By the way, thank you for liking some of my posts on my blog!
Thanks I put this on my list of things to do next year.
More! More!
You’re poking close to my New Year’s Resolution.
I like it! And I’m living in the zombie capital of the world (a.k.a. Pittsburgh.)
It reminds me a little of Christopher Moore — always one of my faves.
Good luck
I was unaware of Pittsburgh’s claim to fame. I must visit soon!
Another one I’d love to read more of – love your writing style!
Thank you. I’ve put Zombie Chick on my to-do list for the year.
Hey thanks for liking my posts! I see you are exploring this genre too. I like where you are going with this. It’s very interesting how she is questioning what she will do as a vegetarian zombie. Love it! I love that pic too.One of my main characters is a green eyed red head, (her alias is Blaze) she is vegan. Thanks for stopping by! I look forward to reading more of your blog!
Thanks. I love the idea of toying with juxtapositions. It’s like that game from Sesame Street, one of these things is not like the other, one of these things doesn’t belong. I wish I could say that’s me, but I was born with brown hair and eyes, like the color of a well worn shoe. I think the combination of her red hair and green eyes is stunning too.
Hi Deidra, thanks for liking my post! I share your short story phobia, but I don’t know, you’re onto something here with the Zombie thing. Go with it!
Lisa
Thanks, Babs has been more popular than I would have thought.
A potential sex-crazed zombie? *shudder* your aunt’s legacy lives on
I hadn’t really connected the two. LOL
Thank you for liking my posts
I really like your graphic arts and stories.
Greetz: Aatos
Thank you. I love the art, which isn’t mine, but I do have the good taste to pick it.
YOU HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE READING YOUR WORK! Always a great feeling. I loved this. Reminded me of Shaun of the Dead
You’re not the first to say that. I’ll have to look it up. Thanks.
My vegetarian husband thought it was a hoot
Love your work!
Glad he liked it. Thanks.
haha. I’ve never read a zombie story but I presume zombie comedy is a new genre.
I’m not sure, I haven’t run across the rotting humor yet.
Actually sex and zombies also connect in Shaun of the Dead:
http://foxhugh.wordpress.com/2009/12/29/shaun-of-the-dead-vs-zombieland-which-is-the-best-rom-zom-com/
I’ll have to look it up. Thanks.
Not much point in me adding my twohalpath as it has all been said but I like Babs she would be very interesting. It is hard to like a Zombie as unlike a Vampire they are not attractive , and unlike a werewolf they are un- human all the time not just at full moon.
So to find an inner beauty that could transcend her appearance and override the fear she would cause on entering a room would be brilliant. xx
It’s a twist on the twisted. Thanks.
Im really not a fan of the current zombie craze, (possibly because they don’t talk and feel? Or because every video game is doing it whether it makes sense or not?) But this made me laugh.
What if they did have feelings under there but were compelled to do things by some other force? Sort of like the original zombies of Carribean myth.
I like the idea. Thanks.
Great idea for a novel! I am writing my third ebook for Amazon’s kindle shop, My Brother the Zombie. Hopefully, I’ll have it there sometime around the beginning of February.
I really love your site, and I wanted to say thanks for dropping by mine, What’s New In Book Reviews (http://douglascobb.wordpress.com/)
Soon, there will be an interview with the SF author, Neal Asher, and the comedian/YouTube star of the series Dick and Jane, Elvis Winterbottom, at my site. If you’d ever like anyhting reviewed there, and/or an interview there, just let me know.
Thank you. I appreciate your generousity and will definitely keep you in mind.
Funny – yes, being a vegetarian would be a huge drawback if you suddenly found yourself zombie-fied… there must be a support group for that!
Support group, excellent idea.
Absolutely love Zombie stories. Especially comedies. I would love to see some short stories.
Made me laugh thanks.
Thanks. I’m planning on writing some short stories next year.
Ha! Cool story!
A story with bite … no, that would be for vampires. Loved your zombie story. It does have great potential for a children’s story. Kids love being scared and they love to laugh. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thanks. I was thinking about that the other night. Great minds think alike.
I’m obsessed with anything zombie right now so this definitely peaked my interest. Please write more!
This is much more popular than I thought it would be. Will definitely add it to the list.
Brains are like potato chips. You can’t eat just one.
My mother once snuck brains in on me once, not a fan.
Pregnancy diet plan is very important for women who just get conceived. In order to give the best start to your baby, you should take a variety of foods with sufficient nutrients. Get protein from lean meat like chicken and fish every day, while ensuring that you have 5 servings of whole grain foods which are loaded with vitamins, minerals and fibers.
While I appreciate the advice, not that I’m pregnant, it just doesn’t seem right to put a pregnance diet on a zombie page, zombie’s being flesh eaters and all.
Love the idea of a story told from the point of view of a zombie. it would be full of misunderstandings, like the part where the zombie eats the handsome scientist who took her in because he thought he could see a spark in her eye (she only has one eye).
I’m not a fan of the zombie genre but I liked this.
Thank you. I’m planning to expand Bab’s new adventures.
Thanks for reading my writing, i am at a loss of words right now as my brain is working on four different things. I love to write short stories, but have a hard time with what i want to put out there, so i really put nothing. Well i did put a small Sasquatch bit out, but then, i wanted to live in the moment longer, i too wanted to see this hairy thing. Thanks again for taking a look at thedoghouse. Oh bother . . .That was no-names.org, never mind.
LOL!
I really am sorry and feeling quite silly. My story is in thedoghouse, under Saved By Sasquatch. To funny Deidra . . .I will go now. have a great New Year.
Thanks. Looking forward to reading more.
Really insightful info,thanks!
I hope you found the zombie info helpful. Though I might provide some survival tips if you’re in need of practical zombie info or if you’re new to zombie life and have questions, just ask. Babs is here to help you.
Aided me a lot, just what I was searching for : D.
Several people seem to be looking for zombie related info.
Love the post. Never knew a Zombie had that much running through it’s mind. lol
Beautiful photo. I think if all zombies turned out like that it would be a more popular genre.
Probably so or at least they would have a definite advantage with men!
yes, the vegetarian zombie dilemma is a real conundrum.
Both nutritionally and morally.
HA! Love it!! Thanks for stopping by my blog =D
Thank you and good luck on that photo per day.
Sexy
Big hunkin’ thank you.
glad to be one of many visitants on this awful site : D.
Okay, I’m going to pretend you meant awesome, not awful.
woh I am thankful to find this website through google.
I’m glad you found the info useful. See you after the zombie apocalypse, well hopefully.
After I initially commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the identical comment. Is there any manner you may take away me from that service? Thanks!
I can’t find another comment for you. If you can send me the name you used and the actual comment, I’ll delete them. Thanks.
“Edgardo Kriticos” is a spam bot, incidentally…
Your shortie reminded me of a – very underrated – Canadian zombie movie Dead of Night / Deathdream (1972). Influenced by The Monkey’s Paw and sharply anti (Vietnam) war, it concerns a GI who is killed in action but, to cut a long story short, ends up back home with his family. As a zombie. Hmm… I just realised I have painted myself into a corner now, and can’t make the comment I had wanted to without being a spoiler. Oh well. Let’s just say that it’s a clever take on the sub-genre, as well as being a metaphor for the war and its veterans.
Thanks. The Monkey’s Paw I think I was actually in a play by that title in high school. Thanks for the reminder!
Oh, and I enjoyed your short short above too hehe.
Thanks I assumed so, glad I was right.
I love it!
http://theresthisthingcalledgooglemom.com/
Thanks, nice post by the way, technically challenged mom.
ahahha zombiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiies
Bless their stinky little hearts.
Love the vegetarian zombie idea! And love the way she reacts to the situation – not freaked out, not trying to pretend it didn’t happen, not confused, just moderately irritated. It’s hard to be original with these calcified tropes, but you manage!
Thank you, I and my calcified trope appreciate it.
Love it! I am in law school and writing the first legal paper (as far as I know) on zombies. The initial infection and treatment of the infected as a class of protected individuals.
That’s awesome.
Like it. I’d read more
Thanks, People seem to like this more than I thought they would.
Zombies are the bloody rage now.Keep at it.You may have something going here.
Thanks, I’m thinking of writing a short story about Babs
Zombies are all the rage,go with it…sounded good too me.My daughter is so into Zombies.She has nightmares and then writes about them.
I’ve with your daughter on writing about nightmares.
Hello! Somehow I stumbled onto your blog while browsing the internet. you seemed to be a promising author, may I know where will I be able to find your works? Do you post them on a certain site, like wattpad.com ?
I haven’t published anything except by blog and a Kindle blog. I plan to post a few short stories soon.
Awesome writing style!
Thank you!
I like your style
You have a great writers mind, I love your use of words. I look forward to reading more of your stuff.
Thank you so much. I’m not sure it’s a great writer’s mind or not. I was asked to do a guest post called From the Asylum and I’m not the doctor.
I LOVE ZOMBIE STUFF! I hope you write more of this I would love to read it. I haven’t found too much stuff from the zombie perspective, but I have seen a b movie about that. Not very similar to yours though.
Thanks, I’ve put Babs on my writing list.
I really liked that, it was a glimpse through a zombie’s eyes, which I havn’t seen before
Thank you. I’m planning to write more about this one.
: )
perhaps you should try and undead porn novel?…………………
Not sure I have that much talent.
Best read of the afternoon. Gotta love this. Short and sweet…well, ok not “sweet” – but very cool piece – well written
Thanks!
Heck of a start to a hilarious zombie story. I’ve only written one zombie story and…I kind of liked writing about that kind of stuff. Don’t know if I’ll ever write another one.
If you ever get the time, you can read the story (it’s only 984 words) at http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1611466-Breakfast-of-Champions
Lemme know what you think.