 Horror/Scary: May 14, 2008 Issue [#2385] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: Edited by: zwisis
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Follow me if I advance! Kill me if I retreat!
Revenge me if I die!
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Of all man's emotions revenge is perhaps the one offering the most scope to a writer. It can be applied to all genres, but in horror writing revenge can be the tool for creating a very powerful story.
My trusty Oxford Dictionary defines revenge thus:
 retaliation for an injury or wrong; the desire to repay and injury or wrong; inflict revenge for an injury or wrong done to someone else; inflict revenge on behalf of (someone else); inflict revenge for (a wrong or injury).
The dictionary's thesaurus companion contains some interesting and effective synonyms:
Vengeance, retribution, retaliation, reprisal, requital, recrimination, and eye for and eye (and a tooth for a tooth), redress, satisfaction, vindictiveness, vitriol, spite, spitefulness, malice, maliciousness, malevolence, ill will, animosity, hate, hatred, rancour, bitterness and maleficence.
Most of us have been hurt by someone at least once in our lives ~ intentionally or accidentally. Perhaps a friend passed a comment about you to a mutual acquaintance, and when you found out what was said you began to plot some form of revenge. Perhaps someone abused your trust, and so intense was your feeling of betrayal it seemed some form of revenge would be the only remedy to alleviate the pain you felt. But... thinking about and plotting revenge and actually executing it are two very different options.
Working a revenge element into a story is something requiring careful planning and consideration. Turning a character's thoughts and dreams into revenge can easily become a cliché, something to be avoided at all costs. A cliché detracts from the reality and emotion of revenge, and when a writer uses a cliché for revenge a reader is denied the deep-seated emotions fuelling the act of revenge. Here are three classic revenge clichés guaranteed to make any reader cringe:
"I'm going to get you for that," he said, slamming the door behind him as he left the house.
"Oh, revenge is indeed sweet," she thought happily, wiping the knife blade clean.
John was going to five Peter a taste of his own medicine.
The most important ingredient for writing about revenge is emotional, and the reasons and rationale behind the emotion. To this end you the writer need to approach revenge in a clinical, almost psychiatric way. Here's a few guidelines to help you get started:
What was the relationship between the avenger and the individual who "wronged" him/her?
Perhaps they were siblings, and one was alienated by the family through a deliberate lie told by the other.
Maybe they were friends, both in love with the same person who managed to destroy the friendship by professing his/her love for one of the friends.
They may have been a husband and wife, whose marriage was destroyed when one spouse left the other for a lover.
Family rivalry can be a catalyst for revenge, with one family taking action against another when a business deal is sealed without the other's knowledge.
Perhaps a parent lost a child through medical neglect, and is seeking revenge by inflicting suffering or pain upon one of the doctor or nurse's children.
The relationship enjoyed by both parties can be explored and described in great detail, bringing in the ties they shared and the emotional attachments before the event that triggered thoughts and ideas of revenge.
What happened?
Sibling rivalry is an excellent motive for revenge. One sibling might have committed a dreadful deed to cause alienation from the family, causing loss of his/her security and inheritance. Or a sibling might have deliberately lied or set up a family member to seize an inheritance.
The "three friends scenario" is a staple of revenge writing, and readers never seem to tire of reading about the end of a friendship. To suddenly find oneself the proverbial "odd man (or woman) out" can bring a huge sense of betrayal, and this feeling might only be assured by plotting revenge. Planning revenge against those once loved, and once privy to one's innermost thoughts and secrets can make an interesting story. The same can be applied to the end of a marriage; when one partner deserts the other for a lover the bond of love and trust is broken, and revenge might be the only remedy for hurt and pain.
Losing a loved one through an accident allows the writer to use great emotions, especially if the accident caused a death. Losing a partner in a car accident because of a drunken driver... a child dying in hospital because of a wrong medical decision or dose... knowing that person will never come back can encourage serious thoughts of revenge.
For me, family rivalry offers an excellent option for a revenge story, especially if a writer wants to weave a longer, more epic story. Several generations can be brought into play, with each side reacting in different ways over different generations to repay perceived injustices. Acts of revenge can be taken by both families, in retaliation for actions taken by either side.
Strategy
How the revenge is plotted, formulated and executed is the most important part of your story, because you need to avoid "The Cliché". Think about how much time you've spent creating your characters and setting up the action to introduce your revenge... turning it into a cliché at this point will kill the entire story, and undo all your hard work. There needs to be good detail and description; here's an example of how NOT to write revenge:
Anne stabbed her fiancé, watching as he fell clutching the knife sticking out of his stomach. Slowly she pulled it out, and rinsed it under the tap. Wiping it dry she replaced it in the drawer.
"That'll teach you," she said, looking down at his inert body.
There is no emotion, and no reason or motive behind the murder. I wouldn't even suggest using this as an opening chapter, because your reader knows what's going to happen right at the beginning of the story. Why read any further? I found a paragraph from "The Perfect Husband", by Lisa Gardener. Not only does it contain emotion and graphic detail; it's written in such a way the reader can sense the tension between the protagonists. And there's a twist to the act of revenge:
She pointed her gun, squeezing the trigger. Jim grabbed the .22 from her hand and pistol-whipped her hard. She fell to her knees, clutching her cheek.
"We do it my way." Grabbing her arm, Jim dragged her upstairs.
Fresh blood stained his shoulder red. Had she hit him? She couldn't think anymore. Her cheek was on fire from the blow, and ringing filled her ears. The madman was winning. Jim had gotten control.
Horror writing isn't always centred around the supernatural. Yes, there's nothing wrong with a character seeking revenge against a vampire for turning a loved one into a vampire. Nor is there anything wrong with a knight seeking out the wizard who cast a spell to lock him in a crystal cave for 100 years. I believe mankind is capable of far worse acts of horror than most supernatural beings, which should mean our capacity for revenge is powerful and terrifying... and that's excellent fodder for a Horror Writer.
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This item is a true story, written after the last two newsletters I edited, which featured "the Ouija Board"
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A chilling tale of vengence full of graphic detail
Two doors, two choices and two very different directions
Just a reminder to treat sales people with respect
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An almost mythical tale of vengence woven around three characters
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A samurai woman seeking revenge, a ninja's last job, a soul collecting dragon...
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A young girl searches for a curse to avenge rejection
A wife plans revenge against her assailant
Revenge for the catalyst behind a phobia
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Can you word a horror story around one of these secret prompts? Secret revenge, perhaps...
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If you love werewolves this contest is for you
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billwilcox
Sarah, I loved your follow up here to the 'ouija board'. Very frightening encounters one and all. You talk about 'a force' that may have helped to create this thing, and I have to agree. Even Luke understood that 'the force' had a 'darkside'.
Wise in your understanding of "The Force" you are, Mr Wilcox... read that in your best Yoda voice  and thank you for reminding me of my favourite films ~ the original ones, that is!
vwm8534 
Thanks for the idea. I have been working on a horror story and an OUIJA will fit in perfectly. My aunt had one of those when I was a kid, (she was only 3 years older than me), and we played with it several times. I had forgotten about it and this newsletter jogged my memory. We never had any strange experiences with it, thankfully, but I have heard stories from other people's experiences.
I'm glad you didn't have any nasty experiences. I wonder if the amount of times they are used makes them more "demon-friendly", because they have almost become an addiction in some cases.
Dr Taher writes again!
Dear Sarah,
This was my first Horror/scary NL and I must say I was intrigued to read about those real-life experiences with the Ouija board. My friends and I have played with such boards several times, sometimes for hours on end when in college, but I am glad to say that we never had any unpleasant experiences. I felt that the board usually told us what our subconscious mind always wanted it to tell us. Could it be all in the mind?
Welcome to the Horror/Scary newsletter! This was actually the second part of the ouija board editorial. And yes, there is scientific evidence to support this theory, but because it's a Horror/Scary newsletter I decided not to include it! The explanation is called "the ideomotor effect", and there's a short explanation at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideomotor_effect
dejavu_BIG computerprobs 
Great Newsletter as usual. I agree that Ouija Boards are not good toys, or tools into the spititual world. In truth, lowerlevel 'entities' often lurk about these boards. If you need to get rid of one, bury it in the earth, off your propert and very liberally fill the hole with sea salt, underneath, beside, over the board, before re-filling it with dirt. They do make awesome gateways in horror stories though!
Thank you for sharing that excellent advice, which would be wonderful to apply in a story about trying to get rid of a ouija board!
Jaye P. Marshall 
Very much enjoyed the newsletter. I believe ANY object can "harbor" an evil spirit, but Ouija Boards have a very wide "bad reputation" - probably well deserved. I've had one for years and have used it on occasion, BUT NEVER before "bringing in the protective Light". It's been buried in a closet for a long time now.
And I sincerely hope it stays there! I've heard about a form of protection for users, but I wonder if a more powerful being would pay attention? Again, this is great information for someone wanting to write a story about a ouija board. Thank you for sharing it!
bookgraham
In my stories I often look for ways to introduce horror in a convincing way. Vampires etc have been done to death (if that is the right terminology to use in this case). Your suggestions of using a Ouija Board, or something similar for this is most intriguing, and the case studies you provide are helpful for this. Thank you for the inspiration.
You are most welcome! I found the research fascinating, and if you send me the link to your story when it's completed I will highlight it in a future edition of the newsletter.
Lauriemariepea
hi, sarah-
thanks for another creepy-@ss newsletter! i'm all twitchy right now, after reading about the ouija boards. *shudder* great inspiration for stories. *rubs hands together*
speaking of stories, thanks for highlighting one of mine!  looking forward to next time. 
You do horror well! Can't wait to see what you do with the ouija board!
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