 Horror/Scary: June 04, 2014 Issue [#6355] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: How Will Your Character Survive? Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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
An Elf (written} Horror/Scary Newsletter
A newsletter considering the survival instincts that the character might need to survive a horror story.
|
| ASIN: B07RKLNKH7 |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 0.99
|
|
One thing that I’ve noticed, when it comes to many horror stories, is that the character gets put in a scary situation where they are forced to make decisions and act in order to survive. And it’s not easy. Surviving is a big deal in horror and in order to achieve success, depending on the opposition, the character might have to call on strength and skills not often used before. But how do you set up their survival and the skills they need?
Sometimes it’s showing the weapon that will later be used to end it all. Often called “Chekov’s Gun” this is where a weapon is shown on a wall, or talked about in different ways. The main focus behind the concept is the need to foreshadow and have a reason to bring focus to the weapon of choice because if it's not needed then there isn't as much of a point to show the item. On the other hand, it’s better to have mention to weapons and methods to get out of near death experiences than at random have a reason come up that makes everything okay. I like to refer to that method as the Batman Utility belt. It’s like, “oh no, we’re in danger” followed by “good thing I have this item on my belt that is just the thing we need to survive.”
Aside from the type of weaponry and such, there are many other survival tactics that a character needs to know or not know. While I’ve seen many who have to call upon different skills to survive, in certain horror stories the ones that don’t survive, or barely survive, sometimes lack things they need to survive. Sometimes, like in slasher films, we can get annoyed at those characters. They do stupid things and we wonder why anyone would do that instead of something that makes more sense. Maybe they just don’t have that survivor instinct.
Okay, before I ramble too much. Let’s end this by just considering some survivor skills that might come in handy in a horror story.
Build a fire.
Use a weapon.
Act fast under pressure.
Hide.
Research necessary information.
Run fast.
These are just a few ideas that come to mind. There are many different survival tactics that can come in handy in a horror situation. Which ones will you use?
|
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1801607 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1933849 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1969740 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1991938 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1992971 by Not Available. |
|
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
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
| ASIN: B07B63CTKX |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 6.99
|
|
What survival instincts do you think is important for a character in a horror story?
Last time I wrote about the color red and while there weren't many comments, I hope that people still appreciated the topic. I don't write a lot of horror but enjoy talking about writing with all kinds of writers.
|
| ASIN: B07N36MHWD |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 7.99
|
|
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
