 Horror/Scary: July 24, 2013 Issue [#5782] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: Horror Is So Much More! Edited by: Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥmas  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
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
Sometimes, horror doesn't have to be in color.
Sometimes, the hero must die so that a loved one is saved.
Sometimes, the monster evades capture,
and may or may not be dealt with in a sequel.
|
| ASIN: B083RZ37SZ |
|
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available. |
|
Hello, folks! It is I, Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥmas as your guest editor for this edition of the Horror/Scary Newsletter.
I remember years ago, being frightened by the likes of Bela Lugosi's version of Dracula, Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's monster and the likes of Lon Chaney Jr.'s Werewolf portrayal.
Out of the three of these characters in those old black and white film, days, two received the audiences sympathy. One was Frankenstein's monster, who had a need to find friendship but was too feared by the average person and thus, abused. The other was the Werewolf. He hated what the curse did to him, making him kill at each full moon. He despised himself when his body returned to human form, and we, the audience felt that as we watched his tears flow.
The vampire that has been created modernly, doesn't appear to be a "monster." He's been turned into a hero-type Preternatural who has real fans. However, in the old movies, Dracula was not a well-built hunk with a seductive charm. He had to hypnotize his victims with the image of bats on his eyeballs; they weren't going willingly. We couldn't wait for this dark-hearted creature to be crossed, garnished with garlic and staked; while letting the sunshine in. 
Horror doesn't need the undead to scare the bejeebers out of you. In my opinion, the werewolf and the vampire characters have been recycled too often; although I loved the Mel Brook's version of, "Young Frankenstein." That was just plain funny - not meant to be scary!  .
"So, what do you like in horror tales, WW?"
I'm happy you asked.  I love supernatural/psychological thrillers with many twists and turns that make a reader think about the next move. It is like a chess game that requires knowing each move to be made by the opponent and oneself in a matter of seconds - before death strikes. It's a thinker's thriller, because there's a need to solve the puzzle surrounding the horror. However, it cannot be too obvious to solve. I want to work at finding out who the real monster is.
These types of stories are especially great when there is a shadow of doubt between two soon-to-be lovers. They have a whirlwind romance and then the pieces of the horror start to come together. The evil one needs the trust of the victim. That makes the terrorizing of her or even him, all the more frightening; especially if the reader is discovering the truth of the trusted one at the same moment the victim is. Bring on the goosebumps!
Lawyers often have clients that they are positive are guilty and yet zealously put together the best defense possible for them. What if the lawyer started having romantic feelings toward that would-be murderess? Would he change his mind about believing her to be guilty? Or, would he willingly help her to be set free?
More twists come when the real psycho-killer turns out to be the lawyer who just fooled his client into thinking he believed her guilty but would taint evidence so she would be set free. Now, the defendant who put her trust in him, finds evidence that leads her to think that her lawyer is the psycho-killer and he doesn't plan to change his lifestyle. Yet, this killer has her fate in his hands. With the tainted evidence, she could be free--but how free? Interesting horror can develop when the writer puts the good together with the evil and masks it with romance. 
An example of a movie that has what I call a psychological imprisonment is the old version of "House on Haunted Hill." There was a mansion filled with overnight guests who were locked-in for the entire night. They were given party favors; little coffins with a gun inside each of them. The guests were hand-picked, high society types, who were paid to spend the night -- dared actually and warned that danger lurked in the massive place. There was a sprinkling of ghosts and a bleeding ceiling to add to the frightening mood. It was loosely based on Agatha Christie's, "Ten Little Indians;" but, whenever you have Vincent Price as a party host, there's always another story twist to his madness.
Thus, every horror story doesn't need the flashy Technicolor to be scary. Shades of gray and clever use of the gray matter can do the trick. Can anyone ever forget the shower scene in "Psycho?" That was chocolate syrup gushing out during the stabbing scene. That's okay, I didn't need to see "red" to get the picture. I showered with a can of mace in my soap dish and kept the shower curtain partially opened -- for years!
Until we meet again in the night--take your fright to a new height!
WebWitch
|
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1931810 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1940107 by Not Available. |
:
If your interest is piqued by this excerpt -- why not support this author and buy the book. He's one of WDC's own Horror/Scary, editors. So it's got to be chilling! 
|
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: B07YXBT9JT |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
|
|
This is my first time as a Horror/Scary Newsletter editor, so, I don't have any feedback to share with you. However, I may return as a guest editor someday in the future and would love to read your comments. Be sure to show your claws and fangs.
|
| ASIN: B01MQP5740 |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
|
|
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.
|
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. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
