I’ve been pretty quiet on here recently, but certainly not behind the scenes! There’s a lot going on here at Lemon Difficult HQ so I thought it was time for a round up.

The team have getting their teeth into characters . We’ve experimented with some initial costumes, had a photo-shoot and put together a trailer (which you can watch here), and we’re all very excited for the first events this year. Our first announced events “The Gate Opens” has already sold out and the second, “The Key” has only one room remaining. As a result we have released an extra date in the run, Saturday 4th May, so get in quick if you want to be the first people to attend this new, exciting experience. We also have 2 dates in October and the Saturday (26/10) is also half sold out,

We’re also taking deposits. Most of you by now know that we are a tiny company - Ivan is the only full-timer, with me (Laura) on writing, Maz working on props and behind the scenes stuff, and our new associate creative director, Leo, working with Ivan on design. All this means that as much as we would love to, we do not own our beautiful venue. Booking for dates always comes with inherent risk of not selling and of making a loss. So far we’ve been doing well, but it’s a big risk for us. In order to mitigate some of this risk, we are taking deposits for future events and asking for your preferences at that point. This means that once we have interest in a particular time, we can book with more confidence, and it helps us to meet your desired dates too.

Over the next few months we will be busy working away to complete the event ready to welcome you at Treowen to carry out your investigations into the strange happenings. For those of you that attended our previous events, this will be different. Firstly, it’s in a different world, with different characters and underlying principles, but much of the DNA of the Locksmith’s experience will be evident in the structures, albeit rather more refined. Along the way, we will be offering you teasing glimpses into the world; introducing you to our wonderful cast of characters and organisations that may help you along your journey so keep your eyes peeled for that too.

Inspirations

As fans of weird fiction, it is a joy to play in the world of these stories. Horror writers of the early 20th century, particularly the Lovecraftian group, were great at sharing their ideas, building on each others’ characters, themes, monsters and worlds. We are extending their works and the sense of camaraderie, by breathing new life into these worlds and bringing them to physical realisation that can be touched, experienced and conversed with. As guests at the experience, you will step into the role of an investigator from the Friends of Miskatonic University and help poor Wyn unravel the mysteries of his house. Poor fella isn’t having such a great time and for all the hospitality he extends, his long term guests, Randolph and Dee don’t seem to stop arguing for long enough to actually help. Once you’re in of course, you’ll find there is even more to uncover than it may at first appear.

As with our previous events, there will not be one ‘right way’ to experience The Key of Dreams. There will be stories to follow, puzzles to solve, characters to meet and help (or hinder). You can take the experience at your pace and get as involved as you wish. An of course there will be fantastic food. Anyone who attended, or even heard about The Locksmith’s Dream, will know that food plays a big part. Ivan is a real foodie type and from the outset insisted that the food was high quality, plentiful and flavourful - both in terms of its taste, but also the story. In Key of Dreams, those principles still hold. Dinner will be a lavish affair and having seen the sample menus, and heard some of the discussions around the plans for dinner, I can tell you it should be something quite spectacular.

As you might expect from something with a weird fiction focus, Key of Dreams will have scary elements, but we won’t be playing with jump scares, more the creeping sort of dread that comes from knowing something is not quite right, and then as you explore that and discover the root of that feeling, you can’t put the truth away again. As with our previous event, you’ll find interesting characters in the house who can talk with you, guide you, ask you for assistance and share what they know, but whether you trust them is a decision you’ll have to make.

Ramblings

Whilst obviously I spend a large amount of my time writing, I also read lots and play games. Recently I’ve had a spread of reading including Dr Helen Frisby’s Traditions of Death and Burial, a short and interesting trip through the traditions surrounding death in the UK through the years, as well as continuing my ongoing love affair with the weird literature of the turn of the 20th Century - this time The Return at Evening by H R Wakefield. I’ve also read some wonderful modern horror, including Nettles by Adam Scovell and A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay. I’m spending less time with games than I like, but I have very much enjoyed playing through The Emerald Flame by Rita Orlov at Post Curious Games who shares our delight in the ‘aha’ moments making her games a real joy play. I also listen to a lot of podcasts, White Vault, Magnus Archives and Protocol, The Heresies of Radulf Burntwine are amongst my current narrative favourites and Strange Studies of Strange Stories and The Folklore podcast for my non-foction hit.

If you have any suggestions for me, I’d love to hear them. Drop your suggestions in the comments for your favourite narrative driven horror, clever puzzles preferably with a story and podcasts that you think I should check out.

Laura