Tis the season for Horror. But Horror is not my genre--I don't like to be scared. Thrilled--yes. Grossed out or freaked out--no. Mashups put a new twist on the classics. With agents looking for "new & exciting," a great mashup might be the way to go. I can do mashups. Horror/Comedy, like SCREAM. And sometimes I like Horror/Sci Fi, like ALIEN. Horror/Fantasy might be interesting too, does VAN HELSING count for that?
Since I'm not the best at Horror, I'm giving you all over to my Shout Out of the Week...
For me, good horror is always about the unexpected. Taking the mundane and turning it into a horror fest has always been Stephen King's claim to fame. And yes, he's my go-to guy for horror. I'd recommend just about anything he's written! I say just about because I think some of his most recent work is lacking a good editor, but once you've achieved his status...
Halloween with Jamie Curtis, is my all time favorite horror movie. (No remakes please!)
As far as a tip for writing horror or any genre, it's all about the questions.
For instance, I took three pictures for Halloween this month and then spent some time studying them. Then I started asking questions. What is happening in this desolate dark forest... What happens at this cabin in the woods... And how does an individual become a ghost... If you check my posts for October, you'll see the results. Although, I have no rhyme or reason for why the answers came as poetry. Writing just happens that way. Ask your muse (the unconscious mind) the question you need answered, and just be ready for the answer, no matter what that is. Honestly, it's how I work.
About Yolanda Renée...While living in Alaska, Renée learned to sleep under the midnight sun, fly fish, cross-country ski, and survive the bitter cold. She hiked the Brooks Range and traveled the state from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez. The tough terrain sent her onto her next adventure--writing. The beautiful state of Alaska is like another character in her mystery trilogy. The wonders, mysteries and incredible beauty that is Alaska fill each novel, as well as murder and mayhem.
The Detective Quaid mysteries weave a rich tapestry of love, obsession, and murder. She's about to finish and publish, the 5th book in the Detective Quaid Series: Murder, Just Because.
She now lives in Myrtle Beach, SC--a far cry from frigid Alaska--but she's still inspired to write as she researches a noir mystery with Murder Beach in mind (the nickname for Myrtle Beach).
In the end, agents and publishers are looking for a combination of a great story, but more importantly, a great storyteller. You be you. It's a scary business, but worth it!
Happy Halloween!
Horror done right is very effective. Horror - science fiction would be my favorite mash-up. Like A Quiet Place.
ReplyDeleteI love a good scary story - whether book, TV show or movie! I like creepy, psychological, suspense more than gore.
ReplyDeleteI like the creepiness and suspense of horror too. I totally agree it's all about the questions. Have a happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tara, it's such a great honor to be recognized for horror writing! I never imagined this when I started my journey, but I can't think of anything better!
ReplyDeleteI've never been much of a horror fan. I don't much want to be scared or grossed out, either. For that reason, I've never read much Stephen King. I did like that movie "Shaun of the Dead" which was a horror/comedy/parody hybrid thing.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that was Myrtle Beach's nickname. It'll be a fantastic setting for a noir mystery. Happy writing, Yolanda!
I love horror, but I watch it with a blanket over my head. And I will read it, but never after dark. I could never write it because it has to go too deep into my brain, so kudos for your bravery.
ReplyDeleteI'm not big on horror. I don't watch scary movies, but I can read scary books. They don't seem to give me nightmares like the movies do.
ReplyDeleteNot much into Horror except old movies of Frankenstein, Dracula, not Werewolves, Teen Wolf yes, I do like some of the remakes of these.
ReplyDeleteDo NOT like the modern version of Horror, but do like a thriller that pushes the edges and suspense. I have read Stephen King and some of his stuff I like but selective.
I do like a good ghost story if has positive elements don't like horror or evil like they do now, but spooky eerie yeah. And I did like the Casper movie, Hocus Pocus, Practical Magic, Van Helsing, Eddie Murphy's Haunted Mansion, Beetlejuice, Addams Family, Ghost Busters, Tom Cruise 2017 The Mummy, as wells Brandon Fraziers versions, and so forth, lol. So I guess I do, do, Horror/Comedy.
I did like at least one Space Horror one, Event Horizon and a deep sea one Sphere although it may be more of a Thriller than Horror.
Good point Yolanda, about writing it. I am trying to write a Halloween piece but it is more fantasy end of the world type stuff than true horror. Congrats on the upcoming release.
Love, love, love horror. Easily my favorite genre! My own projects tend to be of the horror comedy variety, but they still have a tragic, creepy undercurrent. (I hope...LOL.)
ReplyDeleteAnd so true about how important questions are in horror. Hard to imagine any story in this genre not embracing the unknown in some way!