 Horror/Scary: October 10, 2018 Issue [#9161] |
This week: Where the Terror Returns Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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Welcome to this week's edition of the Writing.Com Horror/Scary Newsletter, where we strive to make you feel the need to lock your windows, draw tight your drapes and, whatever you do, keep away from the door.
I think that true horror is accomplished
by slowly getting into your brain.
The old way is much more scary.
Sergio Aragones
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Greetings, insightful writers. As writers of horror poetic and prosaic, we peel away the carefully constructed layers of learned knowledge to reveal for our readers what lies (sometimes literally) within the illusions of mundane reality. Engage the shadow that lurks just out of sight, right around the corner of the mind's eye. What one does not see, but on some level perceives.
Forty years after John Carpenter brought forth Laurie as Michael Myers' prey in the movies, with ten or so films over the years, evolving as they embraced and created the slasher/horror genre, now comes full circle to bring back Laurie (Jamie Lee Curtis) to face Michael.
What keeps these tales in the forefront of the public eye - it's not just marketing - whether deemed 'good' or 'bad'? Remember, the films are the visual, physical iterations of written stories; of series.
How do we weave a tale of terror into a series that keeps readers turning the pages while they look over their shoulder to make sure the windows are shut? How do we keep the tension, the fear, terror, shock going from story to story with the same character(s) or place?
 Envision and create a theme that can evolve over time to keep related stories vital. Consider Stephen King's "Dark Tower" series which evolved over years, each story inciting terror, creating images of horror, while focusing on the lives or roles of individual characters who remained connected even when apart.
 As above, create characters who will remain vital from one story to the next. All of the characters do not need to return from story to story, as those who do not change will most likely be caught up in the terror, eviscerated or otherwise 'erased' from future tales. Consider again the "Halloween" series, where we don't see Laurie in every film, but when we do, she plays a role that weaves the stories together.
 Let the characters evolve, both in their character, demeanor, and age. If the MC engages a figure of horror and is hearly eviscerated in the year 2005, then she must evolve as do the stories, in 2010, 2013, 2018, and so on, both physically and in temperament, knowledge, maturity (or lack thereof).
 I believe if a series is planned, plotting is important. The initial story may start as a stream of thought pantser tale of terror, but for a series to work, the MC, whether the 'good guy' or the 'bad guy', needs a reason to return another day, whether to reap more terror or try to keep the horror at bay. Plotting also works to keep a character's essence and characteristics consistent (i.e., she's left handed in one story, then likewise the next; her characteristic shyness affords her the opportunity to listen, and hear, details of the impending horrific action). But again, let the characters evolve, not remain static and fixed in the past, but engage the world as it appears in each story.
So, consider weaving a series of tales, inciting terror among characters who may not all survive the horror of one encounter to return and engage the next terror.
Now, check out some tales of terror with persons or places we may see again
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Take a read through (and review) these stories that are (or may be) interlocked or related as a series wielding terror upon the characters and you, good reader. Then perchance you will be incited to weave one of your own.
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Until we next meet, open the doors, but be prepared, to see what has been and create what might be. As always, however, have fun weaving tales of terror to frighten even you 
Write On 
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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