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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/5891-Is-there-a-Key.html
Horror/Scary: September 18, 2013 Issue [#5891]

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Horror/Scary


 This week: Is there a Key?
  Edited by: Creeper Of The Realm 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

Hi! I'm Creeper Of The Realm Author Icon, known to some of you as Gaby and I'm your guest editor for this issue of the Horror/Scary newsletter.

Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.

Edgar Allan Poe


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Letter from the editor

Is there a Key?


There are so many books out there which are considered Horror, but they aren't really scary. Then again, it's all in the eye of the beholder, or reader, if you'd like. Scary fascinated me since I was little. Especially movies, because I couldn't read yet. I watched them whenever I could, even when not allowed. That was then. Now, I ready scary stories during the day when I'm surrounded by a lot of light. Funny how things change. They changed because of one particular book and one particular movie.


Have you ever read Duma Key by Stephen King? I know there are some SK fanatics out there, me included, but if you haven't read this book, I think you should. For one thing, it truly delivers. At some point the story turns from scary to weird, but that's to be expected considering who the writer is. It is not his average work though. Far from it. As much as I enjoyed his other books such as Needful Things, Storm of the Century, and many others, I was truly fascinated by this one! Fascinated and scared! It's also the reason why I avoid reading It and The Shining.

I didn't want to read this heavy book but once I started, I couldn't put it down. The words took hold of me and even though I felt the fear creeping into the corners of my sanctuary, I kept reading. In a dark room, with only a single light on, I read until every sound in the house made me jump, and read some more, hoping to arrive at a cheerful scene so I could be the grownup that I was and use the bathroom in the dark without the imagination that something creepy might jump out at me. The scene never arrived and I turned on every light in the house until I reached my destination.

Still, I wish I could take a stroll through this particular writer's mind, to see how and why he sees the things he does, because no matter how much fear his writing creates, I'd still like to know where he gets his ideas. Then again, not every book he wrote is actually scary. Why is that?

It has to do with the plot and setting, but that wouldn't be all. When scenes are created with fear in mind, it doesn't mean that it will scare the reader. The plot can be good as well, but when does it become inadequate and what can you do to change it?

Perhaps, there isn't anything to do and all the writing you skillfully create can't change the reader's mind. Why?

Reading about zombies wouldn't scare me as much as seeing them on a big screen TV. In my mind's eye they don't exist, meaning, there's nothing to be afraid of. It'd be only the look of them that would create the unwanted shiver. Ghosts, on the other hand, give me the heebie jeebies! Books or movies, they come alive in my mind and because I believe in them, it means that reading about them will give me nightmares. Sad but true.

Just because something isn't familiar, doesn't necessarily mean that it won't horrify the reader. Depending on how you paint the picture and how your character perceives the things visible only to him/her, will eventually rub off on the reader. To scare the reader, you have to instill fear into those they read about.

However, the question still remains. Can you turn a non-believer into a believer of a certain paranormal/supernatural being/thing? Only if they're open-minded, would be my opinion, but I'd like to see your thoughts on this.



~ Gaby *Witchhat*


Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#767720 by Not Available.


 A Dark Presence Open in new Window. (18+)
A presence makes itself known in a home. If you dare to enter, give it a click!
#462757 by SSTheWriter Author IconMail Icon


The Strange Diary of Anna Dupree Open in new Window. (13+)
A young women in crisis, alone and fighting against the forces of darkness or is she?
#1222149 by kip Author IconMail Icon


 Nobody's Place: Haunted Open in new Window. (13+)
At this bar Joe is the host, but is there a ghost?
#881662 by Mitch Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1852945 by Not Available.


 
STATIC
Ghost of Lake Michigan Open in new Window. (ASR)
Even the water whispers.
#1853591 by Robert 'BobCat' Author IconMail Icon


 The House on Black Brook Road Open in new Window. (ASR)
Where else would I go?
#1944686 by ChrisDaltro-Chasing Moonbeams Author IconMail Icon

 
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