 Horror/Scary: June 22, 2011 Issue [#4462] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: The Final Cut Edited by: Adriana Noir  
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Summer is finally (officially) almost upon us. I hope that you are all enjoying the weather, and avoiding the storms. If your weather is anything like here, you've probably pondered building a boat a time or two!  No matter what the season or situation, I hope you find the time to read, write, and stay inspired. |
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As much as it may pain us at times, all things must come to an end. Good or not.  For many, including myself, the final notes are what resound the loudest. This is important to remember as a writer. Be it short story, novel, or screenplay, we owe it to our audience to deliver the goods in a manner that will not leave them feeling disappointed. Granted, it will never be possible to please everybody, but it is important to try. Think back, if you will, to how many times you've read a book or watched a movie and found the experience enjoyable. How many times has the end amplified your opinion? Then, we have the opposite end of the spectrum. You know the one. We yell, scream, gape in disbelief...throw things... perhaps ask out loud if they are kidding.
Anger and disappointment reign supreme, and believe me, they will remember. Not only will they remember, but they will curse you for years to come. Case in point: The Sopranos.
Consider the end of your work the reward. Your audience has stuck with you this far, investing precious time and energy into your vision. If you're lucky, and you've done your job well, they will have some emotional stake in it as well. How do you pay something like this back? Give them the best you have to offer. Try to make it a surprise. Try to make it fit. But most importantly, try to make it complete. Cliffhangers are okay if you're planning a series, but even then, there should be some semblance of completion. Or a sense of the end, even if it means things will repeat and start over again, as is all too common in horror movies. They might remember the beginning and bits and pieces of the middle, but the one thing people will always be able to tell you is what happened at the end.
That is unless they fall asleep. 
I chose this topic for a reason. As some of you may know, I've been doing the horror NL for just under two years now. Since that time, new faces have joined the editorial ranks, bringing with them fresh ideas and perspectives. Horror is such a popular and ever changing genre and I'm interested in reading what others have to say. I've enjoyed my time with all of you immensely, and rest assured, I'm only an e-mail or review away. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I hope to see you all again both on the site and as a guest editor.
As always-best wishes and happy haunting! 
Adriana Noir
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If you call someone a name often enough they may soon believe it
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MrKullas : I have to say, I've hardly ever been scared by any horror films, simply because i'm not responsive to things easily, but your point really got me thinking.
If I were to write a horror story, I've always thought about what could scare someone else, what would cause someone else to keep the light on at night.
But reading what you wrote about made me realise, I should write what would scare me, at the very least, if it unsettles me, it would surely do it for most other people I hope.
So thanks for that, it really got me into thinking about a new idea :)
Oh and to let you know, I agree about the whole innocence with children being a good scare point, I absolutely cannot watch anything with scary dolls, or little girls in horror films, they terrify me. :(
So glad I could be of some help. I have to agree here. It's often best to look within ourselves. As Yoda-like as that may sound, it's the truth.
LJPC - the tortoise : Hi Adriana!
Thanks for the NL about how creepy children can be in horror movies/books. It's nice to know something scares Jaded-Adriana! The thing that scares me most in movies is watching the MC wander around when I know the monster/psycho-killer is there, too, and will leap out sometime soon. The suspense can be unbearable. That doesn't transfer to books well, 'cause I just skim ahead.  The things that scare me most in books are the descriptions of the monsters, like in King's novel, It. Yikes! That man can write! 
-- Laura
Hi Laura!  You're very welcome, and between you and I, lots of things scare jaded Adriana! Suspense is a great tension builder! I love it when your muscles actually start to ache! And I agree, description can make or break the terror in a book. Thanks for writing in!
A.T.B: It'sWhatWeDo : Love this NL...finally, someone else to share my agony over that scene in "Night of the Living Dead." I mean, little girl, gardening spade, and that sound! Augh.
Like you, I thrived on horror flicks at a young age; the fear was a complete addiction. By the time I was old enough for the really great special effects though, well, having finally come to terms with the little girl and the sound of that spade, not much got to me anymore, and it still doesn't.
I think "Aliens" was the last that had me honestly scared of the dark - you know the one scene where dozens of 'em are above the ceiling panels, slither-clawing upside down along the pipes? - yeah, I was 9 when I watched "Alien" and "Aliens" (darling little creatures themselves) and it just hasn't been the same since.
I, however, can't seem to write decent horror. I've made attempts but more often than not leave it graciously to those of you that can. Best to call a spade a spade, eh? *shudder*
Ugh! That noise alone is enough to set my teeth on edge. You're right on one account and wrong on the other. Things don't seem to hold the same weight as they did when we were kids. BUT, I've read your writing, darling, and I firmly believe you could pen a wonderful tale in whatever genre you put your mind to. The sky is the limit.
Joto-Kai  : "The force of Evil" outwits us by being totally witless. Usually our offensive leads us away from any solution, making Evil seem to be the mastermind, when it is only that we are tripping in loose ends.
Very true! What a fascinating insight!
NickiD89  : You're so right: the thought of a child attacking his or her mother is an ingredient of nightmares. Yikes! I can't get the image out of my head!
Sorry, Nicki, love!
Ducttape Knight : This newsletter got my hamsters turning. Just thinking about having a whole host of little kids looking all sweet and innocent, and then... well, judging by the goosebumps prickling my arms and the smile I can barely keep off my face, it's time for me to start writing!
Yay! Now that is what I like to hear! Feel free to send me links when you are done. I'd love to take a peek! 
Nomar Knight : Excellent newsletter! You changed, "Suffer the little children!" to "Surprise Mommy! I'm going to eat you now!" Yep, scary stuff.
It's a gift! Thank you, Nomar. You're always so supportive and uplifting!
Jeff  : Great NL this week, Adriana! You're definitely right... I think most of us have a natural, instinctual reaction to want to protect children and keep them safe... which makes it all the more frightening when we're the ones that need to be kept safe from them! And thanks for featuring the Sinister Stories contest!
Thank you, thank you my friend! You are more than welcome. It's a great contest, and it was my pleasure!
billwilcox: Adrianna,
You touched on one of Stephen Kings masterful tricks. Use children when writing horror. He does it all the time. Oh, look at the wee babies, aren't they cute! *CHOMP! CHOMP! CHOMP!*
-Bill
You and your 'killer' sense of humor always get to me, Bill!
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