Hi, and welcome to Terry Black’s website. I write about zombies, dinosaurs, hot dogs, my brother Shane, the Lost Continent of Atlantis, and complaining about everything, because complaining’s good for you.
Hot dogs, not so much.
MY IRRITATING BEST FRIEND BOB
We first met in high school in Pennsylvania, back in the 60s. We sat close together because my last name was Black and his was Bridges. We both loved reading and especially science fiction, but no one devoured books like Bob did. Once in first period he borrowed a book I was reading but forgot to return it. When I…
Because You Can’t Watch Too Much Television
Okay, today’s dumb fact: Sixties-era TV shows Mannix and Mission Impossible were produced by the same guy, Bruce Gellar, who knew a hit series when he saw one. The shows couldn’t be more different. Mission: Impossible presented intricately plotted schemes, out-thinking the bad guys (and viewers) with ingenious plot devices; Mannix was a tough-guy detective who plunged headlong into danger, making it up as he…
In This Corner, Weighing Four Pounds
It’s an epic battle, high stakes and hard-fought, with a suspenseful and surprising outcome. In this corner, weighing four pounds and change, is our new kitty. Her name’s Pebbles, since we already have a Bam-Bam. She’s a tortoise-shell (black, brown and ginger) with two light feet and two dark feet, and a face like speckled midnight. She runs…
My Sad Time Machine
When I was in college back in the 70s, something bad happened. I was at the University of Pittsburgh’s Johnstown Campus, surrounded by wooded hills. One day I met a pretty girl named Carol, who seemed taken with me. We had a lovely conversation, and it crossed my mind that I should ask her out, but I…
Cyberbullying for Dummies
It starts with a call from Beth, my ex-wife. “I got a threatening email,” she says. “They said they would trash my new book on Goodreads unless I paid them off.” She forwards it to me, and it’s not pleasant. The email comes from Anonymousemail, a service that lets you send emails that can’t be traced. Apparently it’s the venue-du-jour…
Rimgate Park
It’s been a rollercoaster week. Not just for me, but everyone. On Saturday, I was supposed to attend a Toastmasters Tall Tales Contest, spinning a yarn about alien invaders, how the whole world is endangered by a threat we never expected. The contest was canceled because of the Coronavirus. (And no, the irony wasn’t lost…
Terry Black Mystery Writer 