  Horror/Scary
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| To develop a good Horror/Scary story one needs to develop a good story. Working with Setting as a secondary vehicle. |
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Recapping the steps to developing a good story, we need to
1. Break down the basics of the story to a simple one or two word definition.
2, Decide which slant of the story, or genre, we want to use
3. Establish which elements (character, action, and/or setting) are necessary to convey the story basic.
4. Establish which characteristics and descriptions are necessary to support the element(s) above.
In the last issue we began discussing the use of Setting as the primary vehicle in conveying the story basic. This issue we will take a closer look at how Setting can be a support when Action and/or Character is used as the central propulsion.
So what are the uses of the support characters? Much of what follows is a repeat of the uses of Character as a support vehicle. This is because the various driving forces of a story support one another in similar ways.
I am going to repeat these uses to give both a continuing element to the articles, and to (hopefully) fix the ideas in the reader’s minds.
Setting as a support can be used
1. To help define/explain the central Setting
A. Settings surrounding Setting as a primary vehicle can be very important. Time, for instance, works well to define a place. Is it dark? Is it within a time period that defines it, such as huge plants in the Jurassic table?
B. Is the weather mild, wild, somewhere in between? Is this normal or abnormal for the area?
C. Is the area characteristic of a place where the weather phenomenon would take place? Is the time?
2. To help define/explain/facilitate Action
A. A trek in the desert would require different Action/reaction than sailing over the ocean. This would also define, because of its nature, the Action(s) taken.
B. In the ticking bomb scenerio, faster Action would be needed. Lounging around on a day off would indicate a slow pace. These things would also explain the Action(s) taken.
C. Mild weather would facilitate different Action than turbulent weather. It could also define the Action(s) taken as well as explain it.
D. Action’s effect on Setting is also defining: what erosion does to a mountain, how a fire destroys an area or re-builds it, etc.
3. To define Character
A. How a Character reacts to any of the aspects of Setting describes much about the Character.
1) Place: clothing, skin coloring, actions within, reactions to
2) Time: clothing, state of mind (alert, sleepy, etc.), state of the physical body, emotional state, actions within, reactions to.
3) Weather: clothing, state of mind, state of the physical body, emotional state, actions within, reactions to.
B. How Setting reacts to Character. This is usually coupled with Action, as in how a Characters Action effects Setting.
In the Horror genre Setting as a support to Character and Action can be vital. In supporting Character, how a Character reacts to Setting can define the Character in a matter of a few words: terrified of the storm, moving forward into the swamp in spite of fear, etc.
Within Action, it can be either a helping factor or an obstacle. It can effect the pace of the Action. It can decide whether or not Action is necessary.
For this month’s exercise, read through the stories to find examples of Setting supporting Setting, Character, and Action.
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Concerning this issue’s picks.
There are several reasons I am featuring contests this month. First and foremost, I believe writing to a specific prompt, theme, and/or genre forces a writer to work within certain guidelines. Many of us write for the pleasure of doing so. Others are seeking a career in writing. Career writing requires the ability to write what the publication wants written and how the editor wants that done.
Second, most of us on Writing.com are seeking to improve our writing skills. Writing in different genres both explores and expands a writer’s capabilities. For instance, I never wrote horror, never knew I could write horror until Stake & Garlic pulled me into it with one of its prompts.
Third, it moves a writer past the `writer’s block’ thing. No ideas? Try a contest prompt.
Fourth, winning contests can be a way of earning gift points. Personally, I don’t have the financial means to keep replenishing my supply. I do, however, want to encourage authors by rewarding them, support contests, sometimes hold contests of my own. Winning gift points allows me to do this.
So. On to the contests. This is the middle of the month, so you have plenty of time to enter.
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And just because I’m glad Bill is back and working on the Newsletter with us again.
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Nighala a.k.a. Doxie Do-Right   presented an excellent question in regard to our last issue: how does one use a peaceful, tranquil setting as an antithesis to horror without being ironic? I think the primary use of the tranquil scene as an antithesis to horror would be in developing character, action, and/or setting.
Developing character, action, and/or setting can be done by using a pleasant setting as a contrast. The character can be developed in a number of ways. A suggestion for developing character: The character has a negative reaction to the setting. This gives the reader a feeling there is something amiss with the character, something which warns the protagonist away from him.
Action describes something done and/or something thought about and/or something reacted to. Beginning with something done, the lovely, dew covered grass could cause the hunter (as an antagonist) to slip and fall while chasing the protagonist (the rabbit)
Something thought about or perceived could be peace brought to an area known for horror---the park being made of from the area of the twin towers, for instance; or Arlington cemetery, or Gettysburg, or Flander’s Field.
A reaction to the setting could develop it as well. This would need to be a general reaction rather than a singular one. Generally speaking the general action describes the setting; a singular action describes the character.
Using the setting to develop another setting could be done by contrasting one against the other. The protagonist runs from the scary setting to the peaceful one for protection/safety. This could be a physical escape, a mental escape, or both.
Playing character, action, and/or setting off of the innocuous or beautiful setting can also work. In this, the interaction between the character and the setting facilitates the progression of the story.
Anne McCaffery did this in the ”Dragon Riders of Pern” series. Basically, there was an acid-like substance that occasionally fell from the sky in thread like forms. The `thread’ was extremely destructive to everything growing on the planet. At the same time there were worms in the ground which ate the thread, thus keeping the ground itself from harm. The worms fed on the lush grasses when the thread did not fall, and likewise did for the grass what worms do for it on earth.
So. The beautiful setting is then played off against both the horror of the antagonist---the thread---and the protagonists, the worms.
Working with action, the protagonist and the antagonist might each use the setting to thwart the other and/or to bring others to their assistance. The vampire legends are famous for this: the beautiful sunrise will bring death to the horror (the vampire) threatening the protagonist.
Also, thinking of the James Bond type stories, the gorgeous, snow covered mountain setting can turn into an avalanche---still beautiful though it is deadly---which destroys the horror following the protagonist.
Playing setting off of setting can be done if the author moves beyond the traditional thoughts on setting: structures and locale. Move into the idea of time and weather. In some stories time is the protagonist’s enemy. In others, time can be a friend. There may be some debate as to whether or not time can be considered beautiful, so let’s move on to weather.
Weather is often beautiful; or, at least it can create beauty within the setting. Some pleasant or innocuous elements of weather could be disastrous to the antagonist bringing the horror. For example, the wicked witch of the West was defeated by water thrown on her. Would not rain or snow---often very beautiful in their appearance---serve the same purpose?
If readers have other views on this question please share them!
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Horror/Scary: October 18, 2006 Issue [#1319]
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