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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/2258-.html
Horror/Scary: March 05, 2008 Issue [#2258]

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Horror/Scary


 This week:
  Edited by: darkin
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Table of Contents

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

About This Newsletter

Reading a horror story, one that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last page, is what every horror fan dreams of. Being scared, to the point that sleep is almost impossible, makes the read all the more worthwhile. Does that make us crazy? You bet!!!

My name is Darkin, and I’m your host this week for the Horror Newsletter.


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

Describing Your Monsters


I love monsters.

There I said it. Monsters are wonderfully scary horror creatures and can make my sleep time nightmare filled.

While the classics always bring a chill to my spine, there is only so many ways you can tell their stories. Don't get me wrong, I still love vampires, werewolves and zombies. I just need a little variety in my nightmare filled life.

A wonderful monster reference book I have found is:

ASIN: 1559708433
Amazon's Price: $ 61.99


Oooo, lookie, it's on sale this week*Laugh*

It gives the writer a plethora of slimy, scary creatures to add to their horror tales. The following creatures come from those pages.

Windigo
This man-eating creature comes during the winter months, when food is hard to find. Much larger than a human, it has glaring eyes, is naked and gaunt, and brings blizzards with it when it hunts. It feeds on human beings, at times possessing them to find more victims. It is said that throwing excrement is a way to avoid possession. The only way to get the Windigo out of a person is to kill the person, cut their body into pieces and burn it. Not very helpful to the victim, but a great horror plot twist.

Munuane
Considered by the Sikuani to be the "Master of Fish", the Munuane appears as a toothless, gray-haired guardian demon with eyes in his knees. He travels on a raft and uses a bow and arrow to dispatch those who are taking too many fish from the river. He is very large and not very bright. He only attacks greedy fishermen and is an excellent shot. If the victim has a chance to fight back, the creature's knees are his weak point.

Duergar
This is a fairy from Great Britain who leads travelers astray by using am image of a flickering torch. He is about one foot tall, wearing a lambskin coat, moleskin shoes and a hat made of green moss with a feather sticking out of it. He believes the woods are his and will harm or kill any human he catches trespassing, usually by trickery. He is an illusionist and can fool the human mind into seeing things that are not there. If caught by a Duergar, staying still until daylight is the only way to survive. Any movement can be deadly.

Bori
A mischievous spirit that is easily offended or angered. Most often appears human with hoofed feet. One way to spot one, should your victim come across a stranger in your story, is the stranger will seem slightly weird and have oddly unfocused dreamy eyes. It kills an offending human slowly by sucking the victim's life force out of their body. Iron is a powerful repellent for this creature; even the word spoken several times can drive the creature away long enough for an escape.

Yuki-onna
This creature appears as a beautiful and an irresistible maiden. Dressed all in white, her skin is pale and her breath is like frost. She can appear as a vapor or mist, and kills her victims by sucking their life from their own lips. Should a male victim catch her eye, she will extract some sort of promise before letting him go. Later, she will disguise herself as a human female to become romantically involved with him. Should he break his oath, she appears in her true form and kills him. There is not much that can be done should she attack; avoidance seems to be the best course of action.

Mamu
A malevolent man-eating demon who roams the desert, this shape-shifter is seen at times as a friend, fellow traveler, birds, and even inanimate objects. When in its natural state, it is tall with a huge pointed head and bloody fanged teeth. The males carry large clubs to use against their victims. A good defense to these creatures is fire and dogs. When traveling in the desert overnight, sleeping in a circle of fire with dogs keeping watch will keep you safe.

In short, using new monsters to scare the peaceful sleep out of your reader can never be a bad thing. And who knows, you might just start a new monster trend.

Thank you for taking the time to read. Happy Writing!


darkin



Editor's Picks

Here are some items I found while traveling the highways and byways of Writing.Com!

Sam and Katie Forever Open in new Window. (18+)
A girl gets a gift from a creepy ex-boyfriend. Writer's Cramp Winner 2/26.
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Some monsters draw strength from a crucifix.
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 The Truth About Cats Open in new Window. (13+)
Ever think your cat is watching you behind your back?
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The Monster Open in new Window. (E)
Story for Writers Cramp about a bunny with bulging eyes.
#837722 by Diane Author IconMail Icon

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A Taste of Honey Open in new Window. (13+)
An old woman becomes obsessed with bees...
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 Death's Mistress Open in new Window. (13+)
A poem of dark beings in a dark tide....
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Warming climate awakens an ancient terror.
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Horror Luvrs "R" We the forum Open in new Window. (18+)
A forum for all things horror. Enter and do be aware of the beast under the porch!
#955549 by peggy Author IconMail Icon

 Absolute Monthly Horror Contest Open in new Window. (18+)
Monthly contest for my group - Absolute Horror
#1282001 by Pennywise Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
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#1115993 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1103550 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
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#1367647 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
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#1063687 by Not Available.

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The Writer's Cramp Open in new Window. (13+)
Write the best poem or story in 24 hours or less and win 10K GPS!
#333655 by Sophurky Author IconMail Icon


 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Thank you for allowing me to enter your world. If you have any comments, or questions, feel free to drop me a line. I'd love to hear from you!

darkin


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Submitted By: Cubby Author Icon
Submitted Comment:

I'll never forget when my husband and I went to see "When a Stranger Calls" at the theater. Our children were very young back then so we had to get a babysitter for them. Oh.My.Gosh. That movie sent chills up my spine like you wouldn't believe. Sweaty palms, anxiety, fear... I couldn't wait to get back home to my children that night! Your wonderfully written newsletter this week immediately conjured up that fear I felt long ago. Excellent newsletter!
~Cubby ")

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Submitted By: billwilcox
Submitted Comment:

When squirrels write, people listen. Well, not normal people, but people who like to eat nuts and such. And just so you know, a squirrel stalker is called 'a hunter'

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