  Horror/Scary
This week: Cold and (Dis)Comfort Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Talking about the cold, comfort and the usefulness of discomfort in horror stories. |
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October, for me, was a very pleasant month. I didn't write any horror stories but enjoyed the festive quality of Halloween. The odd part was spending part of the month walking outside without a coat even and going "how is it this warm in October." Well, nature decided to make a change in November. It went from super warm for October to brrrr it's cold for November, which put me into a slight hibernation mode. Yes, I actually slept over 10 hours two nights in a row cause the choice was stay up on my computer and write or... or go to bed where I have blankets and a heating pad. But what does that have to do with horror?
When it gets cold and I'm still avoiding turning on the heater, I seek comfort. Others, I've heard, seek comfort during the cold months of the year (time of year varies on location), which includes both warmth, blankets and comfort foods. That is okay, sometimes. We all need a little comfort. Same goes with the characters. Even in horror there is a use for a certain amount of comfort given to the characters who have to endure the trauma that will later occur.
Tip one of today's newsletter: allow your characters a little comfort.
This might seem a bit strange for some because comfort and nice moments where things go right sound a bit boring in comparison to the excitement conflict creates. I'm not saying base the whole story on the comfort. In fact, please do put in conflict because I've read a fair number of items that felt incomplete because it was more of a vignette on a pleasant moment and not much else happens. However, in a story with enough conflict and horror, the comfort moments and aspects can provide a nice balance within the story.
Tip two: make sure to add some discomfort.
Yep. After a little comfort, time comes to make that character not so comfortable. This can be the big scary aspects of the story, or if you get enough word count to work with, it can be built up starting with a minor nuisance that affects the characters discomfort and goes downhill for them from there. Once the character is all cozy and comfortable, then the fun begins when that gets taken away. Now things can get bad and scary. Give it all you've got, maybe you'll make the reader jump or uncomfortable. That's the fun of writing horror.
Whether it's comfort or discomfort, a warm blanket or a sudden cold blast of air, keep writing and developing the plot so the characters have obstacles to face. The reader will curse and thank you for it later.
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Do you use comfort or discomfort in stories? How do you use them?
Last time, way back in June, I discussed character survival. Here are some of the comments sent in over the topic:
Comment by Loreli 
I think as a follow up newsletter to this would be the stupid things people who don't survive do. Like sex/drugs. That's a sure fire sign if whose going to die.
Or the skills the villain has to have. Like the ability to teleport in front of the person the MOMENT they look behind them.
Loreli
- Those are both good ideas. I'll have to consider the skills of villains for a future newsletter for either this one or even Fantasy (since I do that one every month). Thanks for the suggestions.
Comment by Quick-Quill 
All the above you listed. Its about the story. What would the character need to know in order to get out of a situation. Think McGyver. You have to have your character look around the room. What is there I can use for defense, offense or to escape. The broken shovel handle, a hockey stick? fill a plastic jug with water from a hose or faucet, sniff the gas can are there fumes to ignite? If you need ideas check the internet.
- Thanks for the comment. Using one resources does come in handy for sure.
Comment by LJPC - the tortoise 
Hi Dawn! I enjoyed your newsletter very much. You're right about the necessity of foreshadowing the weapons used to fight the villains or at least explaining how they got there. "Batman's Utility Belt." So funny! 
~ Laura
- Thank you. I like the "Batman's Utility Belt" too because it amuses most people and fits well with the concept.
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Horror/Scary: November 19, 2014 Issue [#6668]
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