A to Z Blog Challenge: I is for...

In the Dollhouse We All Wait

by Amanda M. Blake - a book feature

Buy link: AMAZON

Synopsis

An extreme horror novel of privilege, cruelty, and survival—splatterpunk at its most unflinching.

“In the dollhouse, if you don’t play with Annie…she plays with you.”

Sam Frain thinks she’s found the perfect a live-in nanny position in a sprawling mansion owned by one of the wealthiest families in the country.

The job seems simple: Take care of Annie Lange.

Annie may look like a grown woman, but she lives inside a world built for a little girl—frilly dresses, scripted games, rigid rules, and what seems like every doll in the world.

As Sam learns the true nature of Annie’s games, she’s forced into a waking nightmare of psychological domination, grotesque excess, and carefully curated cruelty. In this gilded cage where money erases morality, survival means choosing whether to resist—or become part of the performance.

Blending the social unease of The Nanny Diaries with the ruthless brutality of Hostel II, In the Dollhouse We All Wait is a harrowing work of extreme horror that explores power, complicity, and the terrifying truth that the rich really are different.

Buy link: AMAZON

Excerpt

The gown on the mannequin in front of Sam enthralled her: gold brocade that wouldn’t have been out of place in Elizabethan costume, although this gown had more modern lines. The thread looked like it had been spun from real gold. For all Sam knew, it had been. Seed pearls of different sizes had been sewn to the bodice in an elaborate pattern, like lace from the irritation of gastropods. At the décolletage, there was even a diamond brooch—probably real, because why wouldn’t it be?

The mannequins came to a complete stop, skirts rustling like woods in a light wind. Sam stepped closer to the display case to get a better look at the details, the elaborate collar framing red ringlets and ‘Queen of Hearts’-painted lips and eyelids. Sam wondered if Annie had made the pearl headdress, too.

The quality of mannequin in the Dream House exceeded that of any boutique or department store. Most places deliberately tried to make mannequins look more stylized to keep them from entering the realm of uncanny. Either these mannequins had already been uncannily human or Annie had made them so to better display the quality of her gowns, similar to what she’d done with the altered Barbies.
Sam took another step closer. She didn’t want to leave prints on such beautiful art displays, but she wanted a closer look at that diamond brooch to figure out how real it was, how it caught the light…

The mannequin blinked.

Sam jerked back, just as another waltz started. She didn’t know the name of this one, and she barely heard it as the turntables spun the mannequins once more. She struggled to follow, trying to see if she’d seen what she thought she’d seen. A trick of light, maybe from the turntable starting, or maybe Sam herself had blinked, or maybe there’d been one of those stealth power surges that made her wonder if she or the lights had dimmed. 

Sam ran around the spinning turntable, daring herself not to blink if she could help it. Maybe it was just her panic and disorientation in basement sunlight, but it seemed like the mannequin’s face was sadder, brows low over the dark eyes. Was that a tear running down the mannequin’s face, or had the tear always been there, or was it just another trick of the light?

About the Author

A mass of tentacles and rose vines masquerading as a person, Amanda M. Blake is the author of horror titles IN THE DOLLHOUSE WE ALL WAIT, QUESTION NOT MY SALT, and DEEP DOWN, dark poetry collection DEAD ENDS, and the Thorns fairy tale mash-up series.

Alt-historical plague novel MASQUE releases in 2027 through Quill & Crow.

For more, visit amandamblake.com.

A to Z Blog Challenge: H is for...

The 100 day project

and 100 Tiny Treasures

The 2026 edition of #the100dayproject started on 22 February. Today is the 47th day since the start of the challenge, and by some miracle I have been keeping up a daily creative practice.

Last year I spent more of the time writing, but so far I have only used two days to write, and not draw or paint. This does not mean that I haven't written during the other days, I have. I do have a book to finish, so writing (and editing) is necessary so I won't miss the new publication deadline in May.

And then I decided to do #100tinytreasures. These are tiny paintings and the perfect solution for days where I have to focus on the book. The tiny treasures is not a challenge but a quest (alias the inventor, Leslie Stroz) to make 100 tiny paintings in a year. So not everyday, but often enough to keep the creative interest, and a perfect solution for the 100 day project too.

And just so you know: I don't count the A to Z challenge blog posts towards the 100 day project. And on that note here are a few of those tiny paintings.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

A to Z Blog Challenge: G is for...

Graphite

The most basic of all art mediums, the humble drawing pencil remains a favourite.

A friend asked me last night which graphite pencils I like to draw with, and I had to think for a moment. While I usually reach for my trusty 2H first, I have been drawing with a 5H pencil as well. And this choice is the result of the paper I am drawing on.

The 5H pencil just seemed be the best choice for drawing on Canson Sandgrain paper. We have an oil based material project for April, and I chose oil pastels. The harder pencils don't smudge easily, so the oil pastel won't get dirty because I smudge the first layer of the painting with my fingers. I love Sandgrain paper, although I know many artists don't because of its abrasive surface.

But here is another oil pastel I did on Sandgrain paper - it is based on an acrylic painting tutorial by Michelle the Painter on YouTube.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

A to Z Blog Challenge: F is for...

 Friends

Doing art with friends, is one of the best ways to stay creative. You don't have to paint or draw the same thing; just sharing the process can be great fun and inspiring.

It is one of my favourite things to look forward every week: spending two hours with friends painting or drawing. Since we all decided to take part in Leslie Stroz's 100 tiny paintings in a year, the meetings have become even more fun.

We have a private group, where we share our paintings and support each other, and share ideas to keep going since this is a longer project than what we would normally do.

Tiny painting No 2. 7x7cm - ink and wash

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

A to Z Blog Challenge: E is for...

Experiment

Staying creative is not always easy, and experimenting is often a good idea to keep the creative juices flowing. But not all experiments are successful, as many scientists will attest.

But when it comes to making art, who doesn't love making a mess? So I did. And while the outcome is not a masterpiece, I did like the process: I combined two ideas from two different ladies on YouTube.

I am sharing both my attempts, and will definitely try it again. The crayons for the background didn't work so well, but I will try with artist grade crayons or paint next time.

Until tomorrow!

💜🇿🇦 Linzé

  

A to Z Blog Challenge: D is for...

Drawing

Drawing or sketching? I like both, but drawing is a more time intensive activity. Sketching can be done while waiting for your coffee at your favourite coffee shop. Ofter called urban sketching it can be a quick record of a time or place, whereas a drawing usually requires more time, more attention, and can be a work of art when it is done.

`White ink drawing

Both are fun, and serve to satisfy the urge to create something. So, when I have a bit of time, I like to do a drawing with lots of details and might even add colour with watercolours or coloured pens or pencils.

Sketching on the go? Why not? It is excellent practice to capture a moment (or moments) and takes almost no time on a busy day...just long enough to get a cup of your favourite brew.

There is no post tomorrow, so I will see you again on Monday!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

A to Z Blog Challenge: C is for...

Challenge

Today's post is closer to the theme I chose for the Blog Challenge this month. I have written posts about this before, but this year, I am taking it to a higher level. I am talking about taking part in multiple creative challenges.

This month I am taking part in the following challenges...at the same time! I am worried about not keeping up, but I have to say, it is not as difficult as I thought, once I decided on a plan.

1. The A to Z blog challenge

2. The 100day Project - it started on 22 February

3. Inktober52 - a weekly challenge for the whole year

And I have a novel to edit before it can be published. Not an online challenge like the others, but this book is late, so it needs to get done to get my writing back on schedule for 2026.

Since my weekdays have pretty much the same schedule everyday, I don't sit down to plan time to do this or create that. but multiple challenges made it necessary to plan - at least a bit.

You would think that I don't have to do everything, and you would be right, but I love all of these, so I am pretty much committed. 😏 

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

A to Z Blog Challenge: B is for...

Sketchbook 😉

Sketchbook practice is one of my favourite activities. There is no pressure to produce anything and there are no limits on what you can do or try.

I have several sketchbooks going, but now try to finish one, before starting a new one. With the ones I have currently going, I try to stick to a single (or a primary) medium per sketchbook.

When I do a mixed media page, one medium will dominate the exercise.

There are two exceptions: an A5 landscape sketchbook that I use to plan paintings, and an A4 landscape sketchbook for the challenges of an online art group that I belong to.

A few of my current sketchbooks: water-based marker, gouache, ink and watercolour,
and collage.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

A to Z Blog Challenge: A is for...

Acrylic markers

A favourite medium that recently came on the art scene. I like them because they aer easy to use, and work well acrylic paints, or on paper with water colours.

Versatile and a quick option that doesn't require any preparation to use - aside from shaking the brush pen, depending on the brand you are using.

Acrylic brush marker on an acrylic painted background - a tiny canvas painting made for the 100DayProject.

Until tomorrow!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

CreativeLife update: the100dayproject, and a few more life issues 🤦🏼‍♀️

Hey there creative friend!

I really wished I could tell you that my studio is back in working order, and that I am painting to my heart's content. But as you probably guessed...it hasn't happened yet. How long can it possibly take for the insurance to make a decision? Let me tell you...one month! Yup, it took my husband many hours on the phone and many emails, and getting the complaints department involved. Then more phone calls...yes, even they had to be chased. What a freaking mess!

Acrylic marker on tiny canvas

But I am happy to report that we have the plumbers coming out tomorrow, to install the new geyser and fix the old pipes and stuff. Finally!

It is going to be a long day. Hubs decided to work from home, so that I can go to the lab to work. While I have to finish a report, and prepare for the next test, I already have another job going and I need to go in to finish the tests.

That's how life works for the self-employed 😉 So it's a good thing that I like the work.

You can see a few of my 100dayproject paintings, which I am managing to keep with. I am also writing a novel, and editing another. The editing is going well, and after I consolidate this edit, I have to work through it one final time before the manuscript will be made ready for publication. I am thinking early May. The next goal is to ask my husband to do the cover for me. I know what I want, but I need a Photoshop expert like him, to make it look the way I want.

Watercolour

Acrylic marker - colouring page

My next challenge is getting my car serviced, another expense although this one was planned for. I had to have my driver's license renewed as well, and now I am just waiting to hear from the authorities when it's ready for collection. I was nervous about the process, which we have to do every 5 years, but they were very professional and got the process done super quick.

I enrolled in the A-to-Z blog challenge starting on Wednesday, if you want to check it out. It is a daily post around a theme of my choice.

An if that wasn't enough, I also joined the #100tinytreasures quest. This is not a daily painting, but still making 100 paintings, albeit tiny ones, in one year does require some serious planning and commitment. They are fun though and I have done three already. But more about that next time.

Until next time!

🇿🇦💜 Linzé

CreativeLife update: the100dayproject, the A to Z blog challenge, and a near studio disaster

 Hey there creative friends!

  As I write this post, February is about to expire and a new month with new challenges and creative projects is almost here. Since I paint on wooden panels, they need a bit of TLC before I can start painting. I started the process a few minutes ago on three new panels.

  I bought 12 of them because they were a good price, and when inspiration strikes, I can't wait to start. For now there will be 3, but there could be more. I painted two panels in this style a while back, they were sold, and I loved the process, so I thought why not paint a few more?

  I already did a few sketches, and there are definitely ideas that make my fingers itch. I like it when that happens! 😁

  The original idea for the project was on the list of projects I made for my art group this year, but once it became time to send them the reference (not to copy though) the muse struck...and a series was born.

˜ ˜ ˜ The100dayproject - a few of my daily collages and paintings below ˜ ˜ ˜ 

    The plan was to start the first painting this week, but that was until I noticed the ceiling in my studio. It was wet around the closet where I store my solvents, and my completed paintings. To say that I had a light panic is an understatement.

   I removed all the paintings as fast as I could - I put them in the living room, along with my largest easel. I also had to move the finished sketchbooks stored on a shelf. Inspection of the inside of the cupboard made the news worse. The ceiling and the wood inside was wet.

 

   

My paintings are okay, although one sketchbook was damp, but fortunately sustained no real damage.

   I packed the cupboard with dehydrating things, and it looks like it will be dry in another day or so. I will fix the ceiling once the geyser has been repaired or replaced. We don't know yet what the insurance will decide.  It's a huge frustration and I hope it will be resolved soon.

When I logged in to start writing this post, I saw posts about the annual blog challenge coming in April. I don't know how many years I have been taking part, and this year will be no exception.

Blogging every day is hard work, but with advance notice, I can definitely make it work by preparing at least ten posts ahead of time.

It will overlap with the 100day project, and two more challenges that I have enrolled in, so planning ahead is necessary. 

My A-to-Z Blog challenge theme for 2026

And my studio is back to normal. 🙏

Until next time!

💜🇿🇦 Linzé

PS: Keep an eye out, if you love horror fiction, there is another exciting book launch coming the 20th!

Cheating the Muse - Letter Z

Hey there, creative friends!

Welcome to the last letter of the A-to-Z blog challenge 2025. It's been a journey, hasn't it?

Did you find any of my suggestions to cheat the muse of any help? Please let me know. And you are very welcome to add your top tips to overcome or even prevent creative block. We can always learn from each other.

My last tip is the trusty Zentangle. It's not quite a traditional drawing but more than just a doodle. I like to draw the odd Zentangle, especially when contemplating new ideas to draw or paint.

And the last thought from me for this theme: zero excuses. I have shared many ideas, but these are not the only ones. They may or may not work for you, but having a backup list of ideas when the muse goes on strike is my go-to to keep the creative juices flowing.

I will keep blogging on my 100day project challenge projects if you want to visit again.

I wish you a joyful and creative life. Until next time!

💜 Linzé

Cheating the Muse - Letter Y

Hey there, fellow creatives!

Welcome to my 1000th post!

When I saw the numbers at the beginning of the challenge, I thought that it couldn't be real. And yet, here I am. Fourteen years, and still going. The going is stronger in some months than in others, but you know how it goes when life gets busy.

I did decide not to post on social media in April, except for one post about my book on Instagram. I have also shared a few A-to-Z bloggers' posts to X, but many blogs don't have a sharing option activated. Some don't even allow for comments. It's a shame, but it's not something I have control over.

Did I pick a theme for today? I did: yellow. Because it is a happy colour, the closest to gold (for my achievement 🎉), and colour is always something we can play with.

My current 100day challenge large project is another drawing. But I am itching to write, so it might take some time to get back to it. But with the writing muse on a high, who am I to argue? 😏

Until tomorrow!

💜 Linzé

Cheating the Muse - Letter X

Hey there, creative friends!

X is not an easy letter on the best of days. Then, I learned that woodblock printing is also known as xylography. LOL!

I have never done xylography, although I have watched several YouTube videos of masters of the art doing their thing. It is incredible. I don't have the tools to try it, but I like a similar kind of craft - linotyping. I have used erasers, polystyrene and lino sheets to carve and make stamps.

There is one more thing I want to try with a lino sheet that does not involve carving. Unfortunately, it will not be soon, but I will definitely post about it when I try my idea. Will it work? I have no idea at all. And that is part of the fun of experimenting—the unknown outcome. 😏

Until tomorrow, when I reach a milestone on my blog.

💜 Linzé

 

Cheating the Muse - Letter W

Hey there, fellow creative!

Today, we are talking about our WIPs, the unfinished works in process. I have a few of those lying around, and I'm sure you do, too. A WIP is not a problem because it remains a WIP until a creative project is done.

But sometimes, they don't get finished because we lose interest or it simply doesn't feel right. That is okay, too. The question is: what do you do with that unfinished project? Do you keep it? Tear it up or cut it to pieces? Or you could put it away somewhere and return to it after a period of time.

I am a fan of the last option. It is not always the solution, but a little distance and perhaps time helps to get some perspective. The insight can provide clarity or finalise the decision to start over or get rid of the project. I am more in favour of reusing a canvas, but you do you.

Stay creative. Until Monday!

💜 Linzé

Cheating the Muse - Letter V

Hey there, fellow creatives!

Do you hoard your expensive art supplies? I confess that I do to some extent. In my previous job (I am now self-employed), I earned a massive salary for which I am grateful even to this day. That salary allowed me to buy the best coloured pencils, watercolour pencils, and watercolour paints that I cannot afford today.

Back then, I bought the sets, and since these highest-grade materials are available in open stock, I can replace only the colours that I use up. But I haven't used up anything except acrylic paints and acrylic mediums. My acrylic paint brands are not recognised outside of this country, but we are fortunate that they still are of high quality.

The imported materials pose that hoarding problem: they are available, only very expensive.

I use all my art materials, but I am definitely not pulling out the Caran D'Ache museum aquarelles for group projects or sketchbook practice.

For artwork that does not need to be lightfast, I use student-grade materials, especially coloured pencils. When I use the big guns, I appreciate what they bring to my art to level it up to the highest level.

I have learned something valuable even with student-grade materials: my skills don't depend on the price of the materials. I can draw and paint with student-grade materials just as well, and maybe even better than with the best materials, because I don't rely on the materials to create but on my skills and continued practice to keep improving.

Until tomorrow!

💜 Linzé

Cheating the Muse - Letter U

Hey there, creative friends!

As we get nearer to the end of the alphabet, choosing a theme makes the letters more challenging. Then, the word unstructured popped into my brain.

I see this as a means to explore and experiment. There is no plan. No commission. No reference to paint. Of course, a reference can be used as inspiration, but not to copy. We are going to do just that as our next project in my art group.

It is a more expressive way of painting and is difficult to teach. I will give directions to the members who want to try it, but none of our efforts will look the same even if we use the same reference.

I love this kind of painting, but we will see if the rest of the group agrees once they have tried it.

Lots of fun to do, but with an unexpected and often surprising outcome.

Until tomorrow!

💜 Linzé

Cheating the Muse - Letter T

Hey there, creative friends!

Sometimes we run out of ideas. Or we want to try something new or different. In times like these, I do a lesson or a project presented by someone else. I am sure you have done those as well.

They are fun and easy because the thinking and planning have already been done by the artist presenting the project. My favourite artists to learn from are Tamara la Porte for her mixed media work and Paul Clark for his watercolour and ink. (Their YouTube channels are linked in their names)

Last week, in the Letter O post, Lissa mentioned that she sometimes makes the same mistake more than once because she forgot about doing it the first time. I used to do that until I came up with an idea so I didn't have to remember everything. As someone who paints and draws in various media and does mixed media, I find remembering everything exhausting.

My solution: I have two sketchbooks. A small A5 landscape-bound sketchbook where I plan paintings for competitions. Competitions have themes and rules, so I plan my entry with this sketchbook. Colour palettes, composition thumbnails, and other ideas I might have. Once the painting is done, I go back and make notes on what worked, what didn't, and how I could improve the next time I use that medium or idea.

The second sketchbook is for practising a skill or making notes during an online lesson about a medium or technique. At this point I haven't created an artwork yet, so the notes (sketches or collages) will be helpful before I make a mistake.

This is not a perfect solution, but it saves time, so I don't repeat mistakes often. New mistakes are learning opportunities because I like to experiment. Although not ideal, learning new things makes for better art skills.

How do you keep track of new things that you learn?

Until tomorrow!

💜 Linzé

Cheating the Muse - Letter S

Hey there, fellow creative!

For all my confidence in my abilities as a consulting engineer, artist and writer, the one thing I don't do well is marketing my art and books. Other people do the engineering stuff, or potential clients find me by word of mouth. You get the point, yes?

It's not that I don't know what to do; I just don't spend the time to do the work. There is a tiny post on Instagram, which is the extent of my marketing efforts. (My Instagram) I prefer doing other things with my time, like painting and writing the next book.

Okay, this post is not about any tips to cheat the muse, but as mentioned a few times this past few days, I have a surprise for all of you.

My new book, Tiger Gold, is coming out on 30 April, but it is available already for presale at only 99c. The publication price is $7.99.  You need to provide your email in return, but I don't have a newsletter any more, so there won't be any emails from me. Spam or any other kind. Ever!

You can find the special presale link to Tiger Gold only here.

Don't click the link to the right of my blog, it will not go to the presale discount offer.

Thank you for visiting today; I truly appreciate all of you 💜

Until tomorrow!

💜 Linzé

Cheating the Muse - Letter R

Hey there, fellow creative!

I was not inspired when the letter R came up on my list. Until a few hours ago, I had no idea what I was going to write about. I even Googled a few ideas, but not the AI version. I am not a fan of AI for writing. Anyway, I spotted a few artists' names next to recycling art, and I went, I do that!

Most people associate recycled art with big and bold sculptures, and those can be awe-inspiring. But that is not what I do.

Nope, I stick to small things. Let me give an example. When diamond dot painting became a craze, I wasn't keen. Until about October two years ago, I decided to try a project featuring a peacock. I loved the colours.

I finished it, and it was fun, but not for me. If you had done these, you know they would give you loads extra of those tiny plastic dot things because losing them is too easy.

Stuck with the extra dots, I contemplated throwing them away because I didn't plan on doing any more diamond dot paintings. But, I decided to participate in a national art competition again, and would you know it, those dots were just what I needed.

No, I didn't win, and if they run it again, I probably won't win it either because only portraits have won. I don't paint portraits. But to get to the end of a long story, you never know what you can or cannot use in art. Even those tiny plastic dots! 

Until tomorrow!

💜 Linzé

PS: Don't forget to visit tomorrow. I have a special surprise just for my blog visitors.