\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/3506-.html
Horror/Scary: January 20, 2010 Issue [#3506]

Newsletter Header
Horror/Scary


 This week:
  Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

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

         Greetings, and welcome to this week's edition of the WDC Horror/Scary Newsletter.

         All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream. (Edgar Alan Poe}



Word from our sponsor

ASIN: 197380364X
Amazon's Price: $ 15.99


Letter from the editor

Greetings,

         We are not alone in this universe. We know that, and one writer, in particular, has focused our attention and, along with the Master, (Mr. Poe, of course), has created visions horrific that have spawned generations of gelatinous, tentacled, flesh-eating creatures that humans cannot ever completely annihilate and must, however, engage.

         H.P. Lovecraft refined this style of story-telling into his own mythos that involved a set of supernatural, pre-human and extraterrestrial elements. He took some of the atmosphere from Poe, and evoked for his readers a sense that ordinary life was a thin shell over a reality which was so alien and abstract in comparison that merely contemplating it would damage the sanity of the ordinary person.

         Lovecraft's work was also insular, focusing on the rural feel of his home turf in New England, and those following in his footsteps continue to maintain the sense of things humans were not meant to know, although they are closer to the surface of ordinary life outside cities, but also, today, are found in crowded urban mean streets. Check out "The Horror at Red Hook" by way of example.

         What we find as recurring themes in Lovecraftian horror are:

         *Bullet* A sense of misanthropy. The focus is not on characterization of humans, who occupy but a small place in the vast universe of alien, often superior, beings.

         *Bullet* A preoccupation with gelatinous or non-corporeal bodies. In place of blood and bone and corpses we find gelatinous substances, such as slime and ooze either external or from within a corporeal body. (Consider if you will, "The Blob.")

         *Bullet* Lovecraftian heroes are detatched, isolated individuals, often scholars or educators of some kind.

         *Bullet* Helplessness and hopelessness reverberate throughout the story. The 'heroes' may cause the maleficent forces some damage, but the victory is temporary, and the price paid is high. The heroes and subjects are unable to just run from the extra-terrestrial beings, but are driven to fight or try to subdue or, perhaps, understand it, to their detriment.

         *Bullet* The characters never completely understand what's happening to them, or what's going on about them, though they try. They remain vulnerable and, again, compelled ot continue the quest for understanding.

         Lovecraftian horror has become a standard in literature of horror, incorporating elements of fantasy, adventure, history, and mystery. We will look further at its evolution, but 'till the next time, read on for some good chillers by members of our Community and see if you are also 'compelled' to follow suit with a story or verse of your own.

Keep Writing!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon


Editor's Picks

Check out some of the denizens of 'otherworlds' envisioned by members of our Community and related in prose and verse ~ once you've entered, let them know if you, also, were compelled to stay*Thumbsup*

 Spellbound Open in new Window. (18+)
A woman with an accursed surname reveals a horrible truth. Lovecraft/Poe influenced
#1140844 by Savion Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#898365 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1113914 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1156815 by Not Available.


 Kyle's Story ~ The Basement (1987) Open in new Window. (13+)
"Mortal fool! Meddle not with that of which you have no understanding!"
#1238280 by Amriel Author IconMail Icon


 From the Depths Open in new Window. (18+)
The queue of humans await to see who will be eaten next by the great beast.
#1620811 by TrippyMert Author IconMail Icon


 The Curse of the Yoders Open in new Window. (13+)
A boy learns more than he wants to know about the sea.
#1212034 by PSanta-I'm ba-ack! Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1161698 by Not Available.


 The Bridge That Pulsed Open in new Window. (18+)
Cast from his town into eternal dead plains, a young man encounters a bridge made of flesh
#1572633 by Beatle Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1529143 by Not Available.



Now, check out the following challenge ~ for a sojourn into the realm of non-mortal terror

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1063687 by Not Available.

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: 0995498113
Amazon's Price: $ 19.95


Ask & Answer

         I thank you for this brief respite in the relative safety of your home ~ don't look too closely at the floorboards, you don't know what you will find beyond the creak and, what's that shiny spot inbetween*Wink*.

Unitil we next meet,
Write On!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: 0997970618
Amazon's Price: $ 14.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/3506-.html