 Horror/Scary: April 13, 2022 Issue [#11304] |
This week: The Horror of the Mundane Edited by: W.D.Wilcox  
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“Oh, my sweet summer child," Old Nan said quietly, "what do you know of fear?
Fear is for the winter, my little lord, when the snows fall a hundred feet
deep and the ice wind comes howling out of the north. Fear is for the long
night, when the sun hides its face for years at a time, and little children
are born and live and die all in darkness while the direwolves grow gaunt and
hungry, and the white walkers move through the woods”
―George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
“Here is a list of terrible things,
The jaws of sharks, a vultures wings
The rabid bite of the dogs of war,
The voice of one who went before,
But most of all the mirror's gaze,
Which counts us out our numbered days.”
― Clive Barker, Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War
“If we stay where we are, where we're stuck, where we're comfortable and safe, we die there. We become like mushrooms, living in the dark, with poop up to our chins. If you want to know only what you already know, you're dying. You're saying: Leave me alone; I don't mind this little rathole. It's warm and dry. Really, it's fine.
When nothing new can get in, that's death. When oxygen can't find a way in, you die. But new is scary, and new can be disappointing, and confusing - we had this all figured out, and now we don't.
New is life.”
― Anne Lamott, Help Thanks Wow: The Three Essential Prayers
“You don't think I could bring myself to mark your lovely skin? I'll take my knife to you, if that's the case. I'll carve my name in your breast so that every beat of your heart will remind you that you are mine—and mine alone. Because blood is binding, and because I would rather see you destroyed than see you free or in the possession of another, so I suggest you not try me, or you will suffer as no earthly creature has.” He slammed her back against the wall. “Or ever will. But that is a suggestion, and one you are free to disregard at your own peril. But you are are going to answer my question.”
― Nenia Campbell, Terrorscape
“I'm telling you, the gorgeous of the world can actually look pretty intimidating when they scowl. Imagine a snow-white swan with a scary tattoo holding a chain saw. There's just no way to really prepare for that.”
― Jim Benton, Okay, So Maybe I Do Have Superpowers
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The Horror of the Mundane
Take a walk around your house and look at all the objects there that can scare you: the refrigerator, the stove, the garbage disposal, your collection of cutting knives, the TV, the pull-out bed, the typewriter, the toilet, the drug cabinet, the mirror. There are so many everyday items that may frighten you. That spoon could be used to scoop out someone's eyes. Those knives could be used to torture, maim, or kill. The dark closet, beneath the bed, the creaking house, the list goes on and on, and we haven't even gone outside yet.
I've written horror using common mundane things you find around the house. I've also written horror with just the common things you see outside, snow, for example....
The snow moved.
Jon watched it through the dirty window of the cabin and considered its strange behavior with a tightening in his throat. It rattled his mind in its chamber of bone. Is it alive, or am I going mad?
Living alone in the mountains had its hardships, but being cut-off and stranded in winter, took its toll.
Jon had seen the snow move once before while out gathering wood: large mounds of it, sliding a couple of feet at a time, and closing in -- always closing in -- like a pack of hungry wolves. It was slower then, almost indiscernible, but now that it knew he was trapped, it moved much quicker. Several large piles had already accumulated against the entrance of the cabin blocking any hope of escape. He pressed his ear against the door and heard the soft swish and rustle of it, probing and pushing at the entry, studying the cabin’s weaknesses. The sheer weight of it made the door creak and pop upon its hinges.
"The Drift"
Another I wrote was about a hat.
It was a coffee-colored fedora made of felt, crumpled and caked with mud as if it had been buried for a time—buried and forgotten. The old man imagined it escaping from a freshly covered grave like some grotesque moth climbing from a diseased cocoon. Although wary, he reached for it again, and the hat twitched like a tired muscle. The old man quickly pulled his hand back, his face white as cottage cheese.
"The Uninvited Hat"
Another was about the average household item, the mirror....
Mirrors reflect our world as our world reflects life. Yet, under a cloak of devised vanity, the mirror endeavors to beguile us with our image. Have you ever noticed how your eyes are pulled strangely toward it, as if it were nothing more than a conceited afterthought--a friendly vision?
There is a strange foreboding of evil that lurks within a mirror. We can sense it, and yet we push the feeling to the back of our minds as nothing more than silly superstition. Nevertheless, there are times—times when we are able to discern that something in the all too friendly mirror isn’t quite right.
For example, a quick look while passing will sometimes show a blurring of facial features...a darkening around the eyes...a face within a face...even a shadow closely following.
What is it in a mirror that only briefly appears to the glancing eye, and then abruptly reverts to the normal image we would expect to see? Is our mind caught off guard, and then quickly rearranges things in order to make them appear just as we imagine them to be?
The history of mirrors has always spurred the imagination; like doorways into other realms of fantasy, and reality. Or like Alice...caught in the Wonderland.
Perhaps this phenomenon can best be explained as nothing more than a true reflection of our innermost selves. Or perhaps there is something that lives inside the mirror—something watching…waiting….
"Mirrors"
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DEAD LETTERS
Have you ever written a heated argument?
Starling 
"No"
"Yes"
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
"Not fair."
"Why?"
s
I have tried numerous times... and according to my old beta readers, I have succeeded exactly twice.
When I have managed to succeed it is not because of the words I used but because I actually described and used their body language. While it was 3rd perrson limited POV, the character the scene was focused on noticed the other's body language and offered their own without being aware of the implications. Dialogue tags were kept to a minimum, physical appearance and internal reactions from the POV character were so much more important.
I am learning; I'll get there one day.
Daisan 
Lots of times. I write a lot about criminals. Those folks tend to argue a lot.
John & James Wegner
Yes. The words the characters say are important, but showing how they feel is important too. Good post. \m/ Forge on \m/.
Bob
My lead character was a middle, aged cowboy born out of time. A time when they just didn't need real cowboys anymore. He had to be a bit cantankerous about all the tenderfoot dude ranch cowboys he had to deal with. The most in your face, aggressive westerner I ever knew is John Wayne, so I had my lead channel mister Wayne. A reader said my lead and his boss didn't interact, they just sniped at each other. So, I guess I accomplished what I wanted, that's John.
elephantsealer
Do you know what? No, I have not written a heated argument ... not yet anyhow ... now maybe is the time to think of it?????
N.A Miller
yes. when there is conflict that needs to resolve... However, most of my dialogue to this point goes into heated sex scenes. For the effect of HEATED PASSION... Another way of a heated conflict. if you know what I mean... *Smile*
Cym Wayne
Yes, a transcript of my wife explaining why she needs 4 handbags and Skirts to suit each day and tops that don't clash with either!
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