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Cornhusker: Demon Gene
First accepted in A Flame in the Dark's Monsters! anthology, "Cornhusker: Demon Gene" pits a young man's desire to live a long life against the sudden realization that his worst fears have come true. He has the Demon Gene and has only hours left before becoming a monster. Jessica Bell would pick this day to have lunch with him.
17 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2013
25 people want to read
About the author
Timothy C. Ward
14 books126 followersTimothy C. Ward once kicked a spider in the face. Now, he writes books about magic and mayhem from the safety of his man base.
Series to date:
Godsknife: Enjoy this apocalyptic battle for godhood in the rift between Iowa and the Abyss.
- Godsknife: Revolt (Book 1)
- Godsknife: Lineage (novelette set in the Outbreak)
- Coming soon: Godsknife: Revenge (Book 2)
Sand Divers: post- apocalyptic treasure hunters with sand diving set in Hugh Howey’s world of Sand and Across the Sand.
- Scavenger: Evolution
- Scavenger: A.I..
He also writes LitRPG under Theo Hodges, with his latest series, Badges of Dorkdom taking a future college dropout and training him to be a wizard for the ages.
You probably don’t want to hear about his other series, Ciphercraft, a sci-fi LitRPG about space heroes.
Follow him on X @timothycward or at www.wardbook.com
Series to date:
Godsknife: Enjoy this apocalyptic battle for godhood in the rift between Iowa and the Abyss.
- Godsknife: Revolt (Book 1)
- Godsknife: Lineage (novelette set in the Outbreak)
- Coming soon: Godsknife: Revenge (Book 2)
Sand Divers: post- apocalyptic treasure hunters with sand diving set in Hugh Howey’s world of Sand and Across the Sand.
- Scavenger: Evolution
- Scavenger: A.I..
He also writes LitRPG under Theo Hodges, with his latest series, Badges of Dorkdom taking a future college dropout and training him to be a wizard for the ages.
You probably don’t want to hear about his other series, Ciphercraft, a sci-fi LitRPG about space heroes.
Follow him on X @timothycward or at www.wardbook.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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September 4, 2013This is my first published short story. You can find it, exclusively, on Amazon Kindle for the next 90 days, and will find its way into paperback form as the anthology, Monsters!, gets published.
What it's about:
The emotional focal point centers on a high school senior with something worse than death looming over his immediate future. His family has a hereditary disease that could turn him into a monster any day now. When a special girl breaks through his wall of self-defense, he experiences great joy, only to possibly lose it all.
Enjoy, and please leave an honest review.
Bruce Taylor, Mr. Magical Realism, "got a kick out of it." He says, "Sharp and smart, Tim Ward is a writer to watch."
What it's about:
The emotional focal point centers on a high school senior with something worse than death looming over his immediate future. His family has a hereditary disease that could turn him into a monster any day now. When a special girl breaks through his wall of self-defense, he experiences great joy, only to possibly lose it all.
Enjoy, and please leave an honest review.
Bruce Taylor, Mr. Magical Realism, "got a kick out of it." He says, "Sharp and smart, Tim Ward is a writer to watch."
March 3, 2014
I’m just going to say it: I LOVE GORE! Now, this wasn’t overly gory to me, but keep in mind that I fucking love gore. So, this had enough to keep my interest, but I don’t think it’s over the top for anyone who reads horror. The reason I mention this is because I think the gory parts were beautifully written. I had a clear image of what was happening, which was great!
I read that Ward had cut down the length, and I must say I’m disappointed. I had the feeling I was walking through a haunted house; you know, the kind with all sorts of crazy shit to see and take in. Instead of moseying along so I could absorb every detail, I felt like someone had a hand on my back and was ushering me along faster than I wanted. I kept looking over my shoulder saying: But wait, that was fucking cool.
Regardless, it was an enjoyable, fast-paced read. The descriptive parts were superb and I found myself clenching my teeth in fear and... well, just read the book. It was delightfully disgusting and, oddly, moving.
I read that Ward had cut down the length, and I must say I’m disappointed. I had the feeling I was walking through a haunted house; you know, the kind with all sorts of crazy shit to see and take in. Instead of moseying along so I could absorb every detail, I felt like someone had a hand on my back and was ushering me along faster than I wanted. I kept looking over my shoulder saying: But wait, that was fucking cool.
Regardless, it was an enjoyable, fast-paced read. The descriptive parts were superb and I found myself clenching my teeth in fear and... well, just read the book. It was delightfully disgusting and, oddly, moving.
August 7, 2013
The main problem with any short story is that the author has very little time and space to leave a big, resounding impression on the reader and make them want to come back for more. I've read short stories that are instantly forgotten and ones that frustrate you simply because you want more and can't get it.
This for me fell into a horror/young adult category and was a decent read, normally its the sort I would avoid like the plague but it was entertaining enough for me to think 'is that all' at the end. Which is just the response you want from a short story, a full blown novel wouldn't interest me as its just not my thing but as a short its a good read and there is some potential here.
This for me fell into a horror/young adult category and was a decent read, normally its the sort I would avoid like the plague but it was entertaining enough for me to think 'is that all' at the end. Which is just the response you want from a short story, a full blown novel wouldn't interest me as its just not my thing but as a short its a good read and there is some potential here.
May 27, 2013
This debut novelette by Tim Ward is a classic horror story that moves from a conflicted character to crisis to climax and resolution in short order. If you're a fan of Grimm (or any contemporary fantasy-horror television series) then this story will read like a slice-of-life episode in a broader world of myth and make-believe. The solid story-telling is accompanied by a powerful moral message that can be read allegorically or simply appreciated for what it is: love overcomes evil. [Disclaimer: I helped edit this story and know Tim online as a fellow writer.]
March 10, 2014
Cornhusker was interesting and was written with thought provoking symbolism. It was more than a teenage boy finally getting his crush on the day his demon curse comes. It is about a fight between God and evil and if this boy is going to give in to the evil.
July 25, 2014
The author kindly and generously gave me a copy of this short story.
As if being a teenager isn't hard enough, CORNHUSKER: DEMON GENE is about a young man, Geoffrey, in the process of transformation into a monster. He had previously hoped to be spared from the metamorphosis, but this is the day the uncertainty is resolved. Not in his favor.
I would classify this as urban horror-fantasy. As a horror enthusiast, I commend Ward for communicating the terror of the young man's ordeal. This is the best part of this story for me-- the visceral fear I generally look for in horror tales. There is a Jekyll and Hyde feel to it that I certainly appreciate.
Unfortunately, there are a few problematic issues.
I think I understand the author's intent with regard to the biblical references and their inclusion. However, not being armed with enough background about Geoffrey, the religious aspect does not seamlessly weave into the narrative. I wondered why, in the midst of his anguish, bible passages were the first things to come to his mind. The character of Jessica similarly suffers from the same fragmentary, incomplete representation. There are hints about her role but there is not enough information to be anywhere near certain. More importantly, the titular 'demon gene' begs for an explanation of its history and nature. There is enough certainty as to what Geoffrey is turning into, but very little about the why and how. Personally, the inevitability of a horrifying event ratchets up the fear factor.
To be fair, short stories commonly suffer from the constraints imposed by its abbreviated format. It must be difficult to present a cohesive and satisfying story at this length. Most half-interesting concepts practically cry out for a more extensive development. While I'm not certain there is enough here for a novel, I think this would have been better as a novella.
Between CORNHUSKER: DEMON GENE and SCAVENGER, Timothy Ward has certainly piqued my interest and I would very much like to read a lengthier offering from him in the future.
As if being a teenager isn't hard enough, CORNHUSKER: DEMON GENE is about a young man, Geoffrey, in the process of transformation into a monster. He had previously hoped to be spared from the metamorphosis, but this is the day the uncertainty is resolved. Not in his favor.
I would classify this as urban horror-fantasy. As a horror enthusiast, I commend Ward for communicating the terror of the young man's ordeal. This is the best part of this story for me-- the visceral fear I generally look for in horror tales. There is a Jekyll and Hyde feel to it that I certainly appreciate.
Unfortunately, there are a few problematic issues.
I think I understand the author's intent with regard to the biblical references and their inclusion. However, not being armed with enough background about Geoffrey, the religious aspect does not seamlessly weave into the narrative. I wondered why, in the midst of his anguish, bible passages were the first things to come to his mind. The character of Jessica similarly suffers from the same fragmentary, incomplete representation. There are hints about her role but there is not enough information to be anywhere near certain. More importantly, the titular 'demon gene' begs for an explanation of its history and nature. There is enough certainty as to what Geoffrey is turning into, but very little about the why and how. Personally, the inevitability of a horrifying event ratchets up the fear factor.
To be fair, short stories commonly suffer from the constraints imposed by its abbreviated format. It must be difficult to present a cohesive and satisfying story at this length. Most half-interesting concepts practically cry out for a more extensive development. While I'm not certain there is enough here for a novel, I think this would have been better as a novella.
Between CORNHUSKER: DEMON GENE and SCAVENGER, Timothy Ward has certainly piqued my interest and I would very much like to read a lengthier offering from him in the future.
May 28, 2013
This is a story that makes me hate the Star rating system. I'd like to give it 2.5 stars. or, just be able to say that it was "Okay, but closer to Good than just okay."
It took my a minute to adjust to the writing style. Once I got a handle on it being more of a young adult story, the voice of the narrator/main character made more sense, and didn't take me out of the story, a story that i really did enjoy.
The failings of "Cornhusker" are really owed to the fact that it's a short story. I feel like it would have been so much better had it been a bit longer, so certain aspects could have been explored more.
The relationship between the narrator and the young girl really needed to be developed a bit more. As it stand now, the narrator envisioning them raising children together really just seems like crazy-person fantasy because their entire relationship took place in one 10 minute lunch "date" in a school classroom. If this had been a novella, the author could have really put some solid work into their relationship, and the whole thing would have been more satisfying.
The other thing I'm dying to know more about is the mythology of the Demon Gene, and the Cornhusker. Why the special diet? Is that supposed to keep the demon at bay? How does the narrator's family know he may have the gene? Again, I am sure the author had all this in mind, but it just falls into the limitations of the short story format.
Sad really that these limitations were enough to bring the rating of this story down for me, but they were just too much for me to get past as a reader.
A wonderful effort from Mr. Ward, and I'm certainly eager to see what else he will come up with!
It took my a minute to adjust to the writing style. Once I got a handle on it being more of a young adult story, the voice of the narrator/main character made more sense, and didn't take me out of the story, a story that i really did enjoy.
The failings of "Cornhusker" are really owed to the fact that it's a short story. I feel like it would have been so much better had it been a bit longer, so certain aspects could have been explored more.
The relationship between the narrator and the young girl really needed to be developed a bit more. As it stand now, the narrator envisioning them raising children together really just seems like crazy-person fantasy because their entire relationship took place in one 10 minute lunch "date" in a school classroom. If this had been a novella, the author could have really put some solid work into their relationship, and the whole thing would have been more satisfying.
The other thing I'm dying to know more about is the mythology of the Demon Gene, and the Cornhusker. Why the special diet? Is that supposed to keep the demon at bay? How does the narrator's family know he may have the gene? Again, I am sure the author had all this in mind, but it just falls into the limitations of the short story format.
Sad really that these limitations were enough to bring the rating of this story down for me, but they were just too much for me to get past as a reader.
A wonderful effort from Mr. Ward, and I'm certainly eager to see what else he will come up with!
November 13, 2016
Exceptional reading
I'm not sure how could the writer have such excellent dark, warm, and enlightening feeling, on such short story. The characters were well written. Amazingly well written! You felt the emotion, the faith; and what must have been being in the characters place. It was fun, creepy, dark and cute. I became a fan and follower of Timothy C. Ward after "Scavenger: Evolution". I'm still amazed. I even went back to check the numbers of pages. Yes, it's a short story. But, I was so enthralled by events and characters, I wondered how long had I been reading.
I'm not sure how could the writer have such excellent dark, warm, and enlightening feeling, on such short story. The characters were well written. Amazingly well written! You felt the emotion, the faith; and what must have been being in the characters place. It was fun, creepy, dark and cute. I became a fan and follower of Timothy C. Ward after "Scavenger: Evolution". I'm still amazed. I even went back to check the numbers of pages. Yes, it's a short story. But, I was so enthralled by events and characters, I wondered how long had I been reading.
March 2, 2014
Though this is not my usual genre, I gave it a try. The story caught me in the first few paragraphs and held me to the end. My only complaint was the end came too quickly.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews