 Horror/Scary: August 31, 2005 Issue [#582] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: Edited by: schipperke
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On a hot and sticky end of summer day, what is better than a great horror story to make the hair stand on end and bathe you in a cold sweat?? 
This week's newsletter by schipperke |
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This weekend I settled down to an anthology of ‘best horror’ stories called, “Gathering the Bones" edited by Jack Dan, an excellent compilation of short horror stories. While I was reading the book, I realized that the short story format seems perfect for horror stories.
What is a short story? I found several enlightening definitions when I Googled the word.
 A Short Story is:
”A brief fictional prose narrative designed to create a unified impression quickly and forcefully, as in Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" or Guy de Maupassant "The Necklace." Nebraska Department of Education.
http://www.nde.state.ne.us/READ/FRAMEWORK/glossary/general_p-t.html
”Is a term used to describe a work of short fiction that evolved from the older form of the tale in the Romantic period. Edgar Allan Poe, in his review of Hawthorne's Twice-Told Tales in Graham's Magazine (1842) set forth the principles of the short story: it must be short enough to read at one sitting; it must have a unified plot about a single protagonist; and it must aim at producing a single effect. In general, a short story attempts to create a greater sense of plausibility and realism than does a tale. Peachnet.edu
A brief piece of fiction that is more pointed and more economically detailed as to character, situation, and plot than a novel. Published collections of short stories - whether by one or several authors - often revolve around a single theme, express related outlooks, or comprise variations within a genre. sedgeband.com
http://www.sedgeband.com/glossary.html
Notice how horror short stories such as Poe’s work were used as examples for what a short story is? I think that is because the two, horror and short stories, were meant for each other. Why do I think that?
Horror stories need to be frightening, and the best way to scare a person is for something to happen quickly and unexpectedly. Think of how you jump when someone comes up from behind you and puts a cold hand on your neck! Think of how you scream when a spider lands on your face after dropping from your ceiling fan! A horror story should aim to frighten you in the same way.
The Nebraska Department of Education’s definition of a short story fits my thesis well. A short story should drop into your head quickly and forcefully, creating an impression. In our case, a horrific impression.
For your late summer enjoyment, I have highlighted a couple of anthologies you could get from Amazon, or from your local library. Study the form and try to write a few of your own short horror gems. Later in the newsletter, I have selected some of our own author’s short horror stories for your reading pleasures.
The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror Eighteenth Annual Collection (Year's Best Fantasy and Horror) edited by Ellen Datlow
The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror, Vol. 15 edited by Stephen Jones
Bite edited by Laurell Hamilton
Classic Victorian and Edwardian Ghost Stories edited by Rex Collings
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I love getting feedback. Please send comments/suggestions/items to any of the Horror/Scary editors.
Nikola~Thankful Library Lady  : Schip, I believe in ghosties too! A friend here and I have gone on a few hunting expeditions. I even have a few photos! I want to go back to Texas to a small cemetery that I had a lot of activity happen and take more pics there. Great NL!~Nikola
I would be scared to death to go. When we leaving??
Abominae  : Great newsletter! I'm also a huge fan of "Ghost Hunters." Their investigations and attempts to debunk hauntings is what makes the show most intriguing.
Having had my own supernatural experiences in the home I just recently left, I respect what their trying to do and sometimes find myself analyzing their evidence with them, especially the shadowy figure they saw at the famous East State Penitentiary. I'm hoping write a half-fact/half-fiction account of haunting based on my personal experiences. Keep up the good work.
Please write what happened to you. I was thinking of maybe having a newsletter with all the spooky experiences of our group highlighted. Thanks for the idea!
billwilcox: Schip!
What a wonderfully scary newsletter. I just wrote a ghost story. I hope you enjoy it. It's called,"Key To Your Heart"
All your scary stuff is great, Bill! Notice I often dive into your port for ideas!
Fletch : Cool topic this time. I think good ghost stories can be some of the scariest stuff around. I think they're pretty difficult to write well, but they're fun. Thanks for picking my story 'Another Elizabeth' this week. I appreciate that. Have a good one!
You are welcome. I love ghosts, as long as they don't blow on my feet.
The Ragpicker - 8 yo relic : Thanks for featuring my story in the newsletter. On ghosts, I feel that just like any other traditional horror creature, the ghost has lost most of its pre-programmed scare potential. Just showing a ghost messing with people simply isn't enough. The ghost, I feel, or indeed, any monster should no longer be the integral thrust of the story. If you mean to scare your readers by showing them a ghost, well, fuhgedaboutit. What you have to do is use is present the idea of a ghost in a new light. I remember reading an old story which pretty much did what Sixth Sense did, and that's the kind of novelty I'm talking about.
Many of the short stories I read this weekend do just that. It is what makes them eligible to be in a 'best of' anthology.
stellina : My husband and I just watched Ghost Hunters tonight for the first time, and it sparked one of those genuine, forget-about-everything-else conversations. As much as people try to apply science to the paranormal, it's usually a situation where you've got to see it to believe it. But most people who are inclined towards the spooky will respond to those stories and events. They might not have experienced anything like it...but they can imagine what it would be like if they did.
We do the same thing at our house.
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