The trees are dying

Cold nights, the season of frights

Here suspense lurks

Why do people in horror films always do stupid things (like go into the dark building alone)?

Following last weeks topic of grammar, my deepest horror is bad usage. For many of you, horror is a genre that brings great — joy. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but do not join you.

In the Harvard Business Review, The Psychology of Why We Love or Hate Horror, Haiyang Yang and Kuangjie Zhang give us some interesting insights. What I took away was that our own security is integral to enjoying horror. Countries with low gdp (assumes lower security) have far less interest in horror films. Perhaps that labels me as insecure.

Another point is what I call the high/low factor. Some folks enjoy taking their emotional roller coaster to a peak of stimulation and enjoy the release when the situation is resolved. Comparing horror to roller coasters helps me understand a bit. At least it helps me understand why I don’t like horror; I don’t like roller coasters either.

Anna Fleck, in Chills and Thrills: Where Horror Rules the Screen on Statista shows us the countries where Horror rules the roost in terms of percentage of viewership. Apparently Spain and Mexico like their films as spicy as their food. Appreciation for the genre may be culturally influenced. What this highlights for me is the caveat to always consider your audience. Who you are writing for will influence what you do with the finished piece.

What characteristics make up horror? Wikipedia claims it involves an attempt to disturb, frighten or scare. I find life itself disturbing enough. Especially now. But that would be a whole new topic. Let’s stay on the scary path.

Plot lines take us up to a climax and then fill in the details with their conclusion. The story should keep us on the edge with a build up of tension. I’ve read non-horror stories that are so adept that I cannot put it down. The author does a magnificent job of tantalizing the reader with a clue well placed in the last paragraphs of a chapter. So I read on for another half hour or more past my intended stop.

I do not have a lot of help for you fledgling horror authors. Stephen King gives grand advice to authors in general in his book On Writing. Regardless of your genre, he speaks truths in brevity, focus, and honesty. I’ve made it all the way to my 8^th post without making a recommendation. Here be my first, every writer should read King’s book.

Do you have a book that inspires you to be your best self? Stop in at Modern & Vintage Books on Sept. 16 (12:30 – 2:30). We can compare notes.

—Christy Hoff

ArtRoot Writer-in-Residence