Tori Banks

A History of Witch Burnings

On one dreadful August day in 1612, ten people stood accused of witchcraft in Lancaster Castle courtroom. Among them were Elizabeth Davis and two of her children. During the trial, her nine-year-old daughter, the sole member of her family who was not accused, would testify against her own mother and siblings. This testimony led directly to the hanging of nine people, including her own entire family. Without passing judgment, one must consider the mentality of the courts during the 17th-century. Executing nine people, based on the testimony of a child was a bold move, and nothing less tha...

Mama's Retribution

She stared into his desperate eyes and tears welled up in her own. “I don’t know if I can carry on.” “Listen to me,” and his voice returned to its natural tone; the tone that comforted her when she was hysterical after a nightmare and soothed her soul. It was the same tone of voice that made her feel safe in a world filled with horror and pain. “You can do this. I know you can. You are the strongest woman I have ever met in my life and you inspire me. When you walked through my doors, I was nothing but a depressed old man, wallowing in self-pity.” He moved his hands from her shoulders a...

The Coachman

FADE IN: INT. BAR - NIGHT The bar is low class, dirty and the floor is sticky from spilled drinks. There are only seven people in the bar. The BARMAN, who is wiping glasses with a towel. An OLD MAN(60+) is nurturing a whiskey by the bar. Three teenagers are sitting at a table, cluttered with empty beer bottles, in the corner. Two middle-aged men sit at a table closest to the door. All of them mind their own business until ABIGAIL, barges through the door. ABIGAIL "Help! He took her! Please hurry! He's going to get away!" All except for the old man at the bar turn their att...

Ghostwriting project

The familiar sensations of his lips married to hers sent waves of excitement and expectation through her, and ignited every cell in her body with passion. She wanted more of him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and climbed onto his lap, straddling him. He freed her hair, and allowed it to fall down her back, then tucked his hands beneath her shirt and unclipped her bra. When his hand firmly cupped her one breast, she moaned. She grabbed a fist full of his hair and kissed him harder before she took her shirt off and dropped it to the floor. He smiled with delight at the sight of her...

The Psychological Impact of Living With COVID-19

On January 30, 2020, COVID-19 was declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization (WHO). Infiltrating our lives like a thief in the night, it came with one objective, to destroy and cripple. This killer we have come to know as COVID-19 is unpredictable, it does not discriminate, and it has no mercy. Death, lockdown, economy, poverty, loss, job loss, etc. are words that became part of our realities as we move into the second year of living with COVID-19. A word the world grew sick of hearing as the negative impacts coupled to that one word is un...

Hello There

Rot. An overwhelming smell of death enters my nostrils and burns my airwaves as I try to catch my breath. It disorientates my senses and makes me gag. I can’t move. I’m tied to a steel chair in the middle of an empty swimming pool. If it weren’t for my stinging bottom lip and the strong taste of iron in my mouth, I would think that I was having a nightmare. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing, forcing my rapid beating heart to calm down. I try to listen, but all I can hear is the faint clanging sound of pipes. You know, the sound old houses make when you open a tap. But this was n...

How To Scare Your Readers Silly With Horror Fiction

Horror books and films are terrifying, so why do we subject ourselves to fear, and often pay good money, to be frightened? Horror may give you a surge of adrenaline, but you're not in any danger while reading or watching a scary film, which is a big part of the genre's appeal. Even in the absence of a genuine threat, many individuals experience a feeling of success when they finish a horror film. On the darker side, Erin Hadley, Ph.D. says: “We all have unknowable parts of ourselves that I think are kind of externalized into dangers outside of us.” She believes that one reason we are ...

Mama's Retribution

When Kyndra woke the next morning she was surprised that Ludwig was no longer there. She rubbed her eyes and then stretched her arms out while arching her back. Getting out of bed, she went toward the huge window. Admiring the world outside, she felt at ease and, before she realized it, she smiled. The sky was clear and she could tell it would be a lovely day. A soft knock on the door heralded a stout German woman pushing a breakfast trolley. “Good morning, Mutter. You look well today,” she said cheerfully; her accent was heavier than Ludwig’s. Helga had lived in America for more th...

A customer · 5.0 · April 2024

They were kind and patient and completed it in a timely manner.

A customer · 5.0 · December 2022

Working with Tori was great. She took my ideas and turned them into a cohesive outline. Very happy with the results.

A customer · 4.0 · October 2022

Awesome Job, thank you

A customer · 5.0 · June 2022

Tori is working on writing my third book and she's the BEST! I can't say enough good things about her professionalism, sharp intellect, creativity, and attention to detail. She ALWAYS puts her best effort forward and it shows with every interaction with her as well as her outstanding work.

A customer · 5.0 · May 2022

Tori is an amazing writer - she's extremely creative, smart, and intuitively knows what will work. She communicates very well, is professional, and cares about her client's satisfaction. Do not hesitate to hire her. She's an absolute joy to work with!