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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6807-Horrors-from-another-world.html
Horror/Scary: February 04, 2015 Issue [#6807]

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Horror/Scary


 This week: Horrors from another world
  Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon
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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

Quote for the week: Perhaps we've never been visited by aliens because they have looked upon Earth and decided there's no sign of intelligent life. ~Neil deGrasse Tyson


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Letter from the editor

Most people think of stories of aliens and other planets as science fiction, but they are also excellent subjects for horror stories. The unknown is always scary, and what could be more unknown than an alien creature or strange planet? A science fiction story focuses on the science and technology, while a horror story focuses on fear and evil no matter where it takes place. Here are a few ways you can base a horror story on creatures and places that are out of this world:

Alien life forms on earth: The closest other star system is 4.5 light years away, but humans have only made it as far as the moon. Our technology is primitive compared to any race that could travel the vast distances between solar systems. Our technological disadvantage would be quite worrisome if that species were evil. Instead of the spaceship in the sky that everyone on earth sees, what if they managed to land without anyone knowing they were here. Give your readers a brief glimpse of a shadow or let them hear a hiss or a growl, but don't reveal the alien's true appearance right away. An unknown alien monster can be more frightening than a classic horror villain, because the reader has no idea what it looks like. The creature in the first of the "Alien" movies is a great example. A glimpse of a tentacle and some dripping acid blood was far more scary than if we had seen the whole thing all at once. The sequels showed the whole monster far too often, and lost the effect.

Humans on another world: If your characters travel to another world, you don't have to stop with frightening monsters. You can also give them a whole scary planet to live on. Give it a dark horror filled atmosphere, or make it beautiful, but deadly. Maybe the most horrible creatures on this planet look like angels, and the good characters are disgustingly ugly to us. Or maybe they look just like us, but something just appears...wrong. On an alien world, our experience and instincts will not necessarily keep us out of trouble.

Same planet, another time: Maybe your characters never leave earth, but travel forward in time. Who knows what horrors might be waiting for them? Earth in the future might be the most alien planet of all.

Something to try: Write a horror story with a villain (or maybe a protagonist) from another world.


Editor's Picks

Scales Open in new Window. (13+)
A small town is overrun by an unknown cause
#2028429 by Angus Author IconMail Icon


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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


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This item number is not valid.
#1989085 by Not Available.


 
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Longevity  Open in new Window. (13+)
Youth is wasted on the young... (Quill award winner)
#1953051 by Bilal Latif Author IconMail Icon


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Mightier Than The Pen Open in new Window. (18+)
A horror writer discovers a unique way to inspire his stories.
#1229512 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

Question for next time: What is the scariest situation you have ever been in?

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