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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/4163-Monster-Mash.html
Horror/Scary: January 05, 2011 Issue [#4163]

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Horror/Scary


 This week: Monster Mash
  Edited by: Adriana Noir Author IconMail Icon
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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

Hi there! *Bigsmile* I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful New Year. I don't know about you, but I'm excited to see what challenges and rewards 2011 has in store. Work hard, aim high, and let this be the year all your dreams come true! *Heart*


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Letter from the editor

Let's face it, there's a definite trend in the publishing industry. Paranormal romances are hot, hot, HOT! But what does that mean for the horror genre as a whole? In the wake of best-sellers and billion dollar franchises such as The Twilight Saga, Fallen, The Vampire Diaries, and less so, True Blood, many of us are left scratching our heads in wonder. Once vampires, demons, and werewolves were fearsome creatures that inspired nightmares and sleepless nights. They embodied the things we feared, the reasons we hid under the covers at night.

Now, they seem more apt to make you swoon and giggle. Don't get me wrong, I'm guilty of enabling. I like the paranormal trend. There is something exciting about monsters and the forbidden aspect of it all makes me giddy as a schoolgirl. I've read Twilight, and honestly, I can't say anything bad about the books. (The movies are an entirely different matter.) They were geared toward a specific audience and it worked. Fans fell in love. I found myself rooting for the characters. To me, that equates success, no matter what the varying opinions of the books may be.

On the other hand, my heart breaks just a little. It hurts to see villains, terrible creatures that I grew up both loving and fearing . . . well . . . all sparkly and pretty. To see them shimmer in the sun. It takes all of the horror, all of the danger, right out of the equation. I guess that's why I love prefer the True Blood series. Eric is still pretty nasty when he wants to be. There are still gruesome, despicable acts that terrify, and not too nice creatures lying in wait. The vampires are still vampires, and yes, they do burn.

*sniff* Goodbye, Godric.

Because of these ever popular trends, many horror writers today face an even greater challenge. We have to recreate the monster and abolish much of the sunshiny goodness and loveable stigmata now attached to our protagonists. We have to find a way to make them loathsome and inspire fear. It takes more work than ever to build that atmosphere of terror and establish a truly horrific character.
Nothing has been untouched. That's not to say it's impossible. Show us, the audience, all of the sinister deeds it commits along the way. Allow us a glimpse into the dark workings of your monster's mind. Reinforce the fact that this is not some teen heartthrob, but a vile force to be reckoned with. I don't want to be told I should fear this beast because of what it is, I want to feel that terror firsthand. I want reasons to be afraid . . . and I want this atrocity you create to feel like a very real threat.

It's not enough anymore to say they were a monster and have a rising bodycount.

They say everything has already been done. Idea-wise, that is probably true. What will make your story unique is the fresh perspective you bring, the unique thoughts and stance your characters take throughout the story. Their individual voices and the experiences they bring.
Don't shy away from these new challenges. Embrace them. Force the industry to evolve.

I know without a doubt, I will enjoy following where both these roads lead.

~Best wishes and happy writing!~ *Heart*
Adriana Noir Author Icon



Editor's Picks

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#1663023 by Not Available.


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#1282001 by Not Available.


 The Reluctant Santero Open in new Window. (13+)
Horror Writer living in suburbs is forced to act as Voodoo Priest for scared islander.
#746381 by Mongeaux Author IconMail Icon


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#1661485 by Not Available.


 The Night Janitor Open in new Window. (13+)
Darren Sims was an ordinary guy with a not so ordinary life
#1389133 by Mithandriel Uninspired Author IconMail Icon


Sine Qua Non Open in new Window. (18+)
Midsummer Night's Scream Entry - Oct 2010
#1714714 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon


STATIC
Ash Wednesday Open in new Window. (13+)
From dust we came, and to dust we shall return
#1715573 by Fairport Author IconMail Icon


 
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Ask & Answer

What are your thoughts on the cross-genre frenzy? Do you see this as a challenge or something horror might not fully recover from? Any tips and tricks on how to scare the "yell" out of an audience? Send me in those comments and item suggestions! *Thumbsup*

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