 Horror/Scary: June 14, 2006 Issue [#1075] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: Edited by: W.D.Wilcox  
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3. Letter from the Editor
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Words That Creep You Out…
I did a little self-reflecting and decided (what with me moving from Fresno, California to Seattle, Washington in June) that this would be my last Horror Newsletter. I know…I know...it’s like a wad of sticky cobwebs caught in your throat, but please, don’t get all choked up about it. Life is full of change and I’ll embrace this one just like all the other changes in my life...with my phlegmy smoker’s cough and a big phony smile.
To be honest, I hate change—its uncomfortable, like a bad case of psoriasis, or hearing the sound of a toothless old man sucking up mashed potatoes. But I’ll probably deal with it in my usual debonair style—like a squirming snake with a broken back, or a worm caught out on the cement in the blazing sun.
Anyway, I wanted this to be a special newsletter for everyone, something to remember me by, so-to-speak. So I thought I’d tell you how to write the scariest story you’ve ever written. That should be worth something to ya, right?—something to get the old worm-riddled brain a’working?
Now you may already know this little trick. It’s nothing new, but I tell you it sure helps my writing.
Are you ready? All right then, here goes…
Make a list of words that really CREEP you out.
That’s it. Simple, huh. Just write down scary words. You know, like pus, scabs, and festering ooze, that kind of thing. Come on, we all have words that make us shudder. Take five minutes and write them down—add to the list every time you read, hear, or think of a new one. A list of horrifying words can really make your writing sing, and your reader squirm.
Here’s a few off the top of my head:
Spasm, phlegm, splattered, guts, toothless, worms, beetles, snakes, greasy, diseased, gangrenous, bronchial, hollow, thumped, grisly, heaved, grotesque, squirmed, wiggled, dribble, drool, cottage cheese (I don’t know about you, but cottage cheese gives me the creeps). Anyway, you get the idea.
The next time you sit down to write some horror, pullout your scab-caked list of diseased words and have one hell of a time. And to all my loyal readers—farewell for now.
Forever Yours,
billwilcox
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I've been here awhile and have read and written a lot of good horror stories. Here are some excellent ones for you to read until I get back. I hope they chill you to the bone.
The Scariest I Could Find
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| | Possession (18+)
In an asylum for the criminally insane, a young orderly discovers true possession...
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Haunting Feedback
Abominae 
Submitted Comment:
Too much truth in this newsletter. My AP English IV teacher this year could never stress enough that if we wanted to write a good essay, we had to start it off with an "Attention-getter," as she called it.In my writing, I sometimes lose interest in the entire story if I can't pump out a good opening line.What do you think about my opening line for the current piece I'm working on? The story's called "The Silhouette," and it's a gothic horror influenced by Lovecraft:"The wind outside blew with such force that the windows rattled noisily and the foundations of the home trembled as if chilled by the violent gusts."Is it a good opener or just good setting description?Keep up the good work,-Abominae (Chris)
I think you’ve got a GREAT description here, Chris. But you should open with something more like, ‘There is a big old house that overlooks the graveyard—a strange house with a bizarre past.
daycare
Submitted Comment:
Good advice. I agree with you. It is imperative that you have your reader right from the start. Wonder how I know that? LOL Wendie
 I wonder…
schipperke
Submitted Comment:
Bill, you have been a busy boy this week! First lines hook you, along with the book jacket for a first impression. Look at your wonderful illustrations for this newsletter! It made me wonder, Now what is Bill up too?
Isn’t that a great illustration? I’m doing lots of new things, Schippers. Mainly, I’m moving out of state this summer and will resign as one of the editors of this fine newsletter. But hopefully, I will return soon.
writetight
Submitted Comment:
Great newsletter, WD.Although I'm a bit more lenient (I usually give the author a couple of short paragraphs to hook me), it is much better done with an opening sentence.I also like to open a story with dialogue, dropping the reader directly into the middle of a situation to grab their attention.
Dan
Thanks Dan, it’s always good to hear from you, and thanks for that excellent writing tip.
nomlet 
Submitted Comment:
Opening lines can serve to hook the writer (trying to get his story started) as well as the potential reader.
A very good point! If it hooks the writer, it’ll hook the reader.
dogfreek21
Submitted Comment:
lol, I was thinking about this lately. Funny, all good books have a real hooker. It doesn't just have to be horror."Mr. McPherson always wore his kilt to church on Sunday."
-You are Not Your Own, by Jason Perry
If that ain't a good hooker, I don't know what is! Thank you for a great newsletter!
DF
That is good, DF, but I would have added that the kilt was open in the back.
writeone
Submitted Comment:
Thanks so much for this newsletter! Opening lines are very important, in fact, it is usually a fragment that gets me going. I would add this: find several first readers - honest readers who are usually writers, and are not just yes-men - who will give you input. They can usually tell you if it is going to work, or where you can add or take away from that first line, paragraph, etc.Keep up the good work!Writeone
Another awesome tip, thanks Kristy!
scribbler
Submitted Comment:
GREAT newsletter. It really got me to thinking about my own opening lines. A favourite of mine: "It was a ‘find the receipt’ gift, you know the kind I'm sure-" Thanks for the great read. :]
You’re welcome!
zwisis
Submitted Comment:
Bill, that picture makes me shiver! Great newsletter - back in the good old days when I was working in PR my boss would never let us start our articles with the word ‘The’. He used to push the importance of a short, sharp, snappy sentence as the opening to an article. It's amazing what you can come up with when you think about it! I guess the opening sentence is much like fishing bait - if the bait is good the fish will bite!
Very nicely said, Blue.
AngelEyes
Submitted Comment:
The opening sentence/paragraph is something I hadn't specifically thought about for a while. Your newsletter was a good reminder.I did notice ALL the examples are from Stephen King, and suspect your may be a fan as I am.
AngelEyes
I am a fan of his short stories. They have really helped me to hone my own skills.
MercWriter
Submitted Comment:
Hey, while admittedly the opening hooks you used as examples were, well, hooking, what's with all the King? :P Lovecraft also has some nice, opening lines too. ;) Yeah. Maybe add some variety of author's in the future? Anyway, another good NL. Keep it up.
~Merc
You are absolutely right, Merc. One of my favs is...
‘We were sitting on a dilapidated seventeenth-century tomb in the late afternoon of an autumn day at the old burying-ground in Arkham, and speculating about the unnamable.’
-“The Unnameable” by H.P.Lovecraft
or….
‘I hate the moon—I am afraid of it—for when it shines on certain scenes familiar and loved it sometimes makes them unfamiliar and hideous.’
-“What the Moon Brings” by H.P.Lovecraft
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