Winnie Jean Howard 
Welcome to my website where I share dark comical stories for all ages along with my passion for horror movies, zombies, wine, and evil in pop culture. Originally from Chicago, I now live in Colorado where I spend my days writing dark comedy and getting duped by 3 mischievous beagles.
Looking for a short, funny tale. Check out Pete Sinclair's story in the Fall for Freedom prequel to The Courier series. He's been blamed for closing the Gates of Hell and releasing an imprisoned fallen angel by the name of Azael. Lucky for Pete, an angel's apprentice believes he's innocent. She offers him freedom from Satan's forces in exchange for his help returning Azael to his prison cell. If only he and the demon who possesses him had the courage and know how to fight a fallen angel.
This week I’m reviewing Cargo, an excellent zombie movie. Here’s what it’s about: “After an epidemic spreads all over Australia, a father searches for someone willing to protect his daughter.” I have nothing bad to say about this movie. I was glued to the TV the whole time. Martin Freeman was great in his role as the loving husband and father, only intent on saving his little girl. The best part of the movie is … Read more
This week I’m reviewing Bunks, a fun zombie movie for kids. Here’s what it’s about: “When two trouble-making brothers scam their way into an idyllic summer camp, they find themselves leading a rag tag cabin of boys into breaking every rule in the book. But the real trouble starts when they accidentally trigger a curse that brings a camp fire zombie story to life.” Bunks is goofy in a way kids love. It’s horror comedy, … Read more
In honor of the return of Friday #HorrorChat, I’m reviewing Twisted Nightmare, a teen slasher movie set at a summer camp in the 80s. Here’s what it’s about: “A group of teenagers win a trip to a summer camp they had attended as children. However, soon after they get there they begin to disappear one by one. The survivors suspect that the disappearances may be connected to the death of a handicapped child at the … Read more
Practicing my comedy writing skills with the reasons I love wine. Enjoy! 1. My therapy group only meets once a week, while wine is supportive 24/7. 2. A glass of wine qualifies as a daily serving of fruit, it’s good for your heart, and all the other delusional health crap. 3. Swirl, sniff, sip, repeat is a workout that never gets boring. 4. The more empty wine bottles I put in the recycle bin, the … Read more
Found this box set in the back of the cabinet, a bit of dust covering it. Considering I graduated from high school in 1983, music from the 80s was my first opportunity to really define my own taste in music. Prior to that, I grew up in a household filled music from the Allman Brothers, Cream, James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Humble Pie, Rolling Stones, and countless other 70s classic rock. Lucky for me, I grew … Read more
Initially I had intended to review the movie Little Evil staring Adam Scott as the step father of the ‘little evil’ boy. Then I remembered Scott is a father in Krampus and is currently starring in one of my new favorite TV horror comedy series, Ghosted. I was first introduced to Scott as Ben Wyatt in Parks and Recreation, a show I’ve watched over and over during down times in life to lift my spirits. … Read more
Before we start, let me mention that I’m a news junky to the point of near panic attacks after morning and evening doses. It’s like a drug, and I need a break/support group. So, I’m turning to music for needed therapy because there’s no chance I’ll stop traumatizing myself with the political horrors of the day. Sad to say music’s a lost love of mine over the last 8+ years. While many authors have their … Read more
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted a update on what I’m up to. Mainly it’s because I’m having a summer of avoiding editing. Instead, I spend most of my time on household stuff, especially gardening. Just spent the last week enjoying time with family and moving rocks from the neighbor’s front yard to our backyard. To save us all some money, they’re simplifying and we’re re-purposing. The plan is to replace the current mishmash of … Read more
We love wine clubs not only for the amazing wines they deliver, but also for the goodies. A couple shipments ago we got the new corkscrew shown left. It’s a familiar one. I’d used it at a party once and found it easy to use and effortless to pop the cork. When I used the new one again, I thought about how corkscrews have become an inventive project like building a better mousetrap. I’m kinda … Read more
This week I’m reviewing the truly disturbing documentary, Derren Brown: The Push. I’ve even tagged it for my Evil in Pop Culture articles because this sort of human manipulation more than qualifies for the series. Let’s start with what it’s about: “Four people are being put through a huge choreographed scenery created to persuade them to do things they normally would not do. The finale minutes reveal who would be ready to push a human … Read more
Time for a movie review. This time it’s The Babysitter. Here’s what it’s about: “Cole (Judah Lewis) loves his babysitter (Samara Weaving) Bee. She’s hot, funny, and popular. One night, in a moment of defiance, Cole secretly stays up past his bedtime to discover she’s actually a cold-blooded killer who’s in league with the Devil. He now must spend his night evading Bee’s band of killers who will stop at nothing to prevent Cole from … Read more
Thought I’d posted my bad joke, so try not to laugh at how bad it is. Either way, you get a laugh. This took 2 hours to write and now I’m stumbling over the read. Joke writing is challenging. Sheesh! R: What? City took my car. Says I’m pounding…for to being in a pubic place. Morons. My car stalled on Main St., and I was NOT banging Susan. B: Hmmm… This time Julian can pay … Read more
Hey folks, welcome back to weekly entertainment reviews. Until whenever, I’ll be focusing on horror comedy, so join me for a few laughs. This week I’m reviewing Haunted House, staring Buster Keaton. Here’s what it’s about: “Buster is a bank clerk. Overturned glue gets everything, mostly the money, stuck to everything else. When robbers show up he can’t “stick ’em up” because his hands are stuck in his pockets. The robbers’ hideout is a haunted … Read more
Fans out there may have noticed I’ve changed my name. Why? Strictly related to advice about comedy writing, and that the name of the writer is telling. W. J. Howard sounds more like an accountant. In fact, if you look up W. J. Howard on Amazon, you’ll find another author who writes about math under the same name. Thinking back, the only reason I went with the initials was because I started writing many many … Read more
I’ve been wanting to start an Evil in Pop Culture series, and I Tried to Befriend Nikolas Cruz. He Still Killed My Friends in the New York Times seemed to be the trigger for the first post. So school shooters are category number one, but also bad advice to put oneself in harms way. Hmmm…what category would that fall under? I posted this on Facebook for discussion. It pretty much says it all for this … Read more
As I moved into my new website design, I realized that my list of the best low-budget, low-rated zombie movies needed a new home. So, I’m putting it in a blog post and will update it here now. Looking at this list is reminding me that I need to get back to reviewing movies. Stay tuned! Beneath the Surface Days of Darkness Dead and Deader Dead Heist Dead Snow Dead Snow – Red vs. Dead … Read more