Horror/Scary: February 16, 2011 Issue [#4237]
<< February 9, 2011Horror/Scary Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueFebruary 23, 2011 >>

Newsletter Header
Horror/Scary


 This week: Love Gone Horribly Wrong
  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

         Welcome to this week's edition of the WDC Horror and Scary Newsletter, where we explore the means of inciting horror with our words in verse and prose.

"The beginning of love is a horror of emptiness"
Robert Bly


"Where there is no imagination there is no horror."
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle




Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B085272J6B
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99


Letter from the editor

         Greetings, my fellow visionaries and scribes plundering the crevices of humankind's dark and secret fears and desires.

         Fear and desire ~ they go together well, do they not. Humankind both fears what it desires and desires to explore what it fears. Think about it, makes sense, does it not. From childhood we explore the unknown - what's that crunchy noise in the hedges; I've got to show her/him that I'm not as scared as I look because... why? because there's something about him/her that makes me want to look brave and strong and fearless even though it's hard to catch my breath when I step towards the hedges, and towards him/her.

         Get the image, both horror and romance are visceral and sensual, whether they are visible and tangible or imagination perceived by one or more of the characters. They have physical as well as emotional impact on the victim, I mean, subject, of the sensation. Horror entwined with romance or love, be it returned or spurned, often adds depth to the story or poem, allowing the reader to empathize with one or more of the characters, drawing reader into the otherworld created for his/her horrific exploration.

         Horror and romance blend well together, and have a long relationship, centuries long, so they must get along, right? Be the object human, or other non-human sentient being, or of the spirit world, or an alternate reality, the increased passion energizes the plot and offers opportunity for characters to show themselves in their horrific gory, I mean, glory.*Wink*

         For familiar horror blended with romance, consider Frankenstein, or Rebecca or Wuthering Heights for some classics, or more recently H.P. Lovecraft (several in his collection October Countries). The horror is either initiated by, or escalates because of, spurned love, or unrequited love, or the imagined or perceived removal of the object of one's affection or obsession. The end results can be visceral, gruesome, or more subtle shifts in the fabric of the world as we know it (again, Lovecraft).

         The blend continues to weave atmosphere into the horror, the added depth drawing the reader into the parallel themes of increasing terror and romantic or emotional engagement. The setting becomes as another character, perhaps as deep as an actual antagonist, one to be bested in order to achieve success in quelling the horror and either achieving the romance or setting it to its ultimate rest.

         Horror with romantic undertones can be erotic, or subliminal in its expression. It can engage humans, non-humans, spirits, the living and the dead (in various stages of decomposition*Wink*). Weaving in the atmosphere, the raging storm or silent beach, adds depth, explains the meaning, and makes the reader more fully engage both the horror and the anticipation of romance or love or love's opposite, hatred. And when your characters react with violence, be it visual and swift or subtle and slow, your readers are fully engaged in the story, anticipating the horror to come, yet unsure when or where or by whom (or what) it will be met and resolved.

         A romantic interlude can create a bond between two or more characters who join to fight an outside enemy or evil, or it can rend asunder friends, companions, and make of them enemies to wreak vengeance and horror upon each other and other sentient creatures, mortal or otherwise. But it's the horror unleashed that resounds to engage and drive the characters to seek vengeance or respite, together or apart.

Write on!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon


Editor's Picks

Engage the horror in these tales where horror entwines its grip on love or romance in myriad guises

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1724140 by Not Available.


 Only For You Open in new Window. (18+)
"Heroes never have to be stared at, like they’re killers and bad and evil." Lang, viol.
#1750447 by Arosis Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1725132 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1695474 by Not Available.


 Don't Hold Your Breath Open in new Window. (ASR)
A short piece of prose inspired by the CKY song Don't Hold Your Breath
#1552203 by CatfishCKY Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1552532 by Not Available.


 Book Bites Open in new Window. (18+)
A college student goes home with the lovely female librarian. She has a surprise for him.
#1564907 by neilbco Author IconMail Icon


Now how about taking up the challenge to try blend one of your own

FORUM
Sinister Stories Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
A horror contest for everyone! Can you write a terrifying tale? February Special Round!
#1556724 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon

 
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: B00KN0JEYA
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Ask & Answer

I thank you for this brief respite in the relative safety of your virtual home.

Until we next meet, I challenge you to survive and thrive and weave tales of horror imagined and surreal.

Write On*Paw*
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading Author IconMail Icon
subs from readers

To: "Horror/Scary Newsletter (January 19, 2011)" by manga_kate
Time: 02-01-11 @ 10:24am
By: Debbie M (yorkshiroots) (ID #0)
Comment:
Oh, yes...I do so love horror that messes with the mind...:::grins::: Good advice.Thanks.
Update completed. Comment marked as used.
[02-13-11] Checked by: Kate~Rune Writes & Reviews

To: "Horror/Scary Newsletter (January 19, 2011)" by manga_kate
Time: 01-23-11 @ 12:05am
By: LJPC - Thanx well-wishers! (ljpc) (ID #0)
Comment:
Hi Kate!
That was a very interesting and insightful newsletter. Horror must shake the reader's sense of security -- even if it's to the foundations of society. For some, the human experience has become a bit too humdrum; they like books that introduce them to worlds where anything could happen.
-- Laura
Hi Kate!
That was a very interesting and insightful newsletter. Horror must shake the reader's sense of security -- even if it's to the foundations of society. For some, the human experience has become a bit too humdrum; they like books that introduce them to worlds where anything could happen. *Shock*
-- Laura
Check and click "Go!" when used:

To: "Horror/Scary Newsletter (January 19, 2011)" by manga_kate
Time: 01-19-11 @ 9:47pm
By: W.D.Wilcox © ¿ Φ (billwilcox) (ID #0)
Comment:
Nice one Kate. I love the concept of planting seeds of horror. Now I feel like a Famer of Fright.
Nice one Kate. I love the concept of planting seeds of horror. Now I feel like a Famer of Fright.*Cool*
Check and click "Go!" when used:

To: "Horror/Scary Newsletter (January 19, 2011)" by manga_kate
Time: 01-19-11 @ 10:37am
By: BIG BAD WOLF (alockwood1)
Item: "Good-Bye Squirrel" (ID #1735794)
Comment:
Sometimes the scariest thing is the unknown. After all, how smart is that Squirrel that's watching you?
Sometimes the scariest thing is the unknown. After all, how smart is that Squirrel that's watching you?
Check and click "Go!" when used:


*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: B07RKLNKH7
Amazon's Price: $ 0.99

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.


<< February 9, 2011Horror/Scary Archives | More From This Day | Print This IssueFebruary 23, 2011 >>

This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright.