 Horror/Scary: April 23, 2025 Issue [#13093] |
This week: Beautiful horror Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
 
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
Quote for the week:
"Her cold wind calls, and so I follow.
No time to rest my weary bones.
I hear her voice, and my heart grows hollow.
Best not walk these woods alone.
Best keep to the roads and out of the shadows.
Best get on home.
Best to leave them ghosts alone."
~From "The Land Unknown" by Landon Blood. |
Horror usually calls to mind dark forbidding places and strange, twisted people. For example, if you encountered a dark old house in the middle of a shadowy forest and heard strange wails and growls coming from within, you would probably not go near it. But what if you came to a peaceful country cottage on a sunny hillside in the middle of a colorful garden? If a person you know and like opened the door and invites you in, you are more likely to accept their offer. Appearances and first impressions, however, can be deceptive.
Horror in a beautiful setting can be jarring, because we are drawn to beautiful things. As you grew up, you were probably conditioned to believe that certain types of people and places are safe, while others are dangerous and should be avoided. But maybe the dark house holds no more danger than any abandoned building while the kind friend in the country garden is a serial killer or a demon.
Horror takes advantage of our preconceived notions. When you watch a movie character descend into a dark basement alone without a flashlight, you probably scream at them to get out and wonder why they are being so foolish. However if the same character meets a friend in a peaceful park on a sunny afternoon, you probably would not have the same reaction. That might even be a scene where you get up to get a snack because you think nothing is going to happen. In the first scene, you are scared because of the setting. But if something bad happens in the second scene, you are scared in spite of the setting. If something bad can happen in a place that appears safe, maybe nowhere is safe.
The book and movie "Burnt Offerings" are examples of the second type of horror setting, at least at first. A family escapes the city for the summer by renting a beautiful old, although decrepit country estate at what seems to be a bargain price. I won't give away any more of the details except to say they should have stayed in the city.
Another story of this type is "Jaws." To many people, the seashore is a perfect vacation spot where we can spend time on a warm sunny beach and swim in the cool blue ocean. However, in this story, the ocean is the home of a predator that will ruin your vacation and maybe your life. It is also a bit more scary because sharks are real animals, not monsters created for the movies.
Horror writers are often told to write about our worst fears. It also might be interesting to think of a place or situation that scares us the least, and write about that.
Something to try: Write a horror story that takes place in a beautiful setting. |
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
| Question for next time: What subjects would you like to see in future horror newsletters? |
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
|
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction
of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
