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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12809-Jack-the-Trickster.html
Horror/Scary: October 30, 2024 Issue [#12809]




 This week: Jack the Trickster
  Edited by: NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

“Carve out some happiness.” ~ Sarah Orchard


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Jack the Trickster


It's not really Halloween without a jack-o-lantern. Ideally one that is carved into a scary face. Because Jack was a scary man.

Jack was a miserable drunk. He was so miserable that his nickname was "Stingy Jack."

While the vast majority of kids who threaten to play tricks unless treats are handed over, this Jack had no wholesome side to him. He started out harmless enough by playing tricks on his family, friends, and neighbors. When they got tired of him, Jack punched higher. Or lower. He started picking on the devil himself.

Twice, Jack lay dying. Twice the devil came for him. Twice, Jack tricked the devil into giving him a few more years. The devil did not think this was funny. So the devil punished Jack in the only way he knew how to. When Jack died for the third time, the devil refused to come get him.

That doesn't sound terrible.

For Jack, it was the worst! There is only one other place to go when the devil doesn't take you, but mean tricksters don't go to the other place. He wasn't even allowed into purgatory.

Jack was condemned to roam the earth.

A trickster himself, the devil hooked Jack up with a glowing hellfire ember. It was too hot to hold in his hands, so Jack put the ember into a hollowed out turnip.

You can see him carrying his glowing lantern as he wanders the night, old, forgotten, and lonely. Except on Samhain night, when he is everywhere.

This myth comes from old Irish traditions. It originated sometime in the 17th century. Remember, each time you retell a myth, adapt it to your morals, needs, and uses. That's what keeps them alive.

Did you know that Jack was a real person?


Editor's Picks

One of these includes treats!

 
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One Ancient Samhain Night  Open in new Window. (GC)
Wood-elf and an Imp Witness Death's start
#2328096 by AnotherDreamer Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ringing in Samhain Open in new Window. (E)
Sydney's ears are ringing. Witchful Thinking Series.
#2283923 by GeminiGem🐾 Author IconMail Icon

 
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ON SAMHAIN THE PUKAH RIDES AT DAWN Open in new Window. (ASR)
Halloween horror short story
#2173260 by SPACE COBWEBS Author IconMail Icon

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The Lovers of Samhain Open in new Window. (13+)
Have you heard the tale?
#2099001 by Starr Phenix Author IconMail Icon

 
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Jack-O-Lantern said, Pumpkin replied Open in new Window. (13+)
Fabulous repartee at Halloween time. Dialogue only contest entry.
#2098509 by THANKFUL SONALI Library Class! Author IconMail Icon

 
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Samhain Coming Open in new Window. (E)
A triolet about the end of summer.
#2007351 by Future Mrs. Boo Author IconMail Icon

 
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Samhain Unrest Open in new Window. (13+)
One Samhain feast goes a little awry.
#1901125 by Don Two Author IconMail Icon

 
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Pumpkin Past Open in new Window. (13+)
A normal pumpkin has a conversation with a Jack-O-Lantern
#2098716 by Than Pence Author IconMail Icon

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The Legend of Jack-O-Lantern Open in new Window. (E)
Poor plain wee Jack wanted to be part of the Halloween-Pack
#2063670 by Carol St.Ann Author IconMail Icon

 
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Did It Hurt? Open in new Window. (E)
Dialogue only contest entry between a pumpkin and a jack o' lantern.
#2101177 by D. Reed Whittaker Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

Replies to my last Horror/Scary newsletter "Summer Spooks" Open in new Window. that asked Which scary characters immediately make you think of summer?

Osirantinous Author Icon wrote: Belated thanks for listing my story as one of your Editor's Picks! Enjoyed writing it; sometimes I feel there's such a mean-spirited person living in me!

To be honest, I have that feeling about myself too at times.

Beholden Author Icon wrote: Thank you very much for including my short story, The Cat is in the Well in your Editor's Picks section.
As regards there being a connection between summer and horror, I didn't think I'd paid much attention to the influence of seasons on the matter. And then I remembered that I once wrote a story about air conditioning and its influence during a very hot summer. So much of what I do is decided unconsciously.

It makes sense that a lot of our writing decisions are made unconsciously depending of what is going on in our environment.

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