Comments on Writing horror

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Luz has an excellent point..horror is best when you have to use your

imagination to get into it...it is not blood and guts all over the written page or silver screen...

"Alien" was classified sci-fi by most, but to me it was true horror..especially the closing scenes within the spaceship when Ripley is alone...no need for guts and gore at this point....

posted by Rumor on August 18, 2008 at 2:54 PM | link to this | reply

Marineair,

I'd love to get your two cents on whether I have accomplished this with HERETICS!

If you have time and inclination to review it, keep in mind I am looking for real feedback, not pats on the back... BWC, and all!

posted by Ciel on August 15, 2008 at 8:02 AM | link to this | reply

I wholeheartedly agree.  There is a vast difference between a well-constructed thriller (psychological or otherwise) and a bunch of blood and screaming that's easily disbelieved.  I freaking HATE the horror genre, because that's generally all I get.  What I want is something that makes me want to turn the pages and question myself and the world around me, not scream at the idiocy of the characters or sneer at cheaply used attention gainers like nudity and sexual deviance...

My two cents...

posted by Marineair on August 15, 2008 at 12:34 AM | link to this | reply

Luz, Good points!
Drama and imagination: letting the reader find the scary stuff in their own heads!

posted by Ciel on August 13, 2008 at 11:07 PM | link to this | reply

horror is a state of being that includes disgust and terror. but those two things can't create horror on their own. as a writer that unintentionally makes things horrific, i've learned that drama and leaving room for the imagination is the ultimate recipe for horror. readers scare themselves when you let them, if you lead them to it!  

posted by Luz_Briar on August 13, 2008 at 10:08 PM | link to this | reply