Why Horror?

I felt the need to address this. It brings to mind the time a few years ago when my mother asked me why I liked skulls, had them in my house, in art pieces etc. I tried to explain—a wasted effort—how people like to be surrounded by things they like to look at, things that bring them joy. Everyone has different tastes. She said that I would change when I got older. I said, “I’m over 50. This is it. This is me.” I like the odd and the unusual. I see beauty in the weirdness. And since I read, watch, and write horror, I get this question too, “Why horror?”

I have put thought into this as I am a thought-filled person. I’ve come up with some ideas, Hopefully, my fellow horror writers may find this useful as I’m sure there is at least one person in your life that has asked you this (or why skulls) on occasion.

First off, I’d like to refer to a video that Kate Siegel put up on Instagram. She spoke of “Why horror,” as she has been asked this as an actress. I’m not going to try and duplicate her eloquent words but I will say this, her response had to do with emotional reaction. I agree. I often feel awkward in my own responses in social situations. Sometimes I’m without words because, frankly, I’m always surprised with what comes out of some people’s mouths and am taken aback. Sometimes I laugh too loudly. And then there’s saying too much, the old diarrhea of the mouth. Horror allows one to “feel the feels” as they say. Whether I’m reading or watching a movie, I can overreact, scream, hide my eyes, or laugh out loud.

Next, I’ll address the preposterous. This is one of my favorite things about horror. I love juxtaposition. A lot of horror writers have a great sense of humor. I like it when an author slips in a joke, often as a tension reliever or to infuse a story with an unexpected scare. Grady Hendrix and Rachel Harrison do this well. In Cackle (spoiler alert), Annie is swimming along in a friend’s pool, up in her head, thinking about looking up something about somebody on social media and BAM, a ghost underwater grabs her. Sorry, if you haven’t read that. That’s another thing about horror. There are so many subgenres, something for every taste. I often describe Rachel Harrison’s work as cozy horror or “If there was a Hallmark horror channel…”

Juxtaposition is also used in movies with soundtracks and songs. I have written a couple of stories where the action is driven by song lyrics or where songs influence my characters. For me, hands down, American Werewolf in London, best soundtrack ever for a horror movie.

Lastly, I will say I enjoy a relatable story. There are movies and books that are all about the horror, the gore. Nothing wrong with that. Again, there’s something for everyone. Then, there are good stories with horrific elements. Stephen King is an amazing storyteller bar none. He uses horror as his lens. I won’t even put myself in the same category as King, but that’s how I work. I want the horror to be supported by the story. When there is a good story, the characters are relatable. You can put yourself in their shoes like in Grady Hendrix’s latest book How to Sell a Haunted House. Everyone will have parents that pass away one day and you will have to go through their house, yada yada. I just hope your mom isn’t a puppeteer! Then, there’s the unlikely hero, or the villain. Your brain may not be able to wrap itself around Carrie White’s “condition,” but you can fantasize about taking revenge on someone who has hurt you. Horror gives you a safe place to do that. I even found myself cheering for Carrie. But then that goes back to the paragraph about over or inappropriate reactions. I know I’m not alone. A good storyteller can evoke empathy for the bad guy. American Horror Story creators, Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, are rock stars when it comes to making you like the antihero or at least elicit sympathy.

In Walking on Alligators, Phyllis Whitney has this to say about writing:

“People have talents that are different. Where does the creative flow come from—inside us, or from a higher power? I don’t ask any questions. I just write it down.”

Do you think people ask renowned horror writers, “Why horror?” I bet they do! As writers, we don’t ask where the ideas come from. We think. We listen. We write. Trying to write in another genre would be like asking Andy Warhol to give French impressionism a try. Or tracking down Nicholas Sparks to create a new screenplay, turning The Texas Chainsaw Massacre into a romantic comedy.

If you’ve never given horror a try, you should! You may be surprised. Or scared to death. Either way…

Book recommendation

Walking on Alligators by Susan Shaughnessy

My guilty pleasure

My morning ritual. Rising earlier than necessary, I sit in my bed each morning in the dark. I sip coffee. I think. I rub lotion into my hands. The only lights, my year-round fairy lights. It is in this soft glow that I try to start the day, setting the tone if you will. It’s my little me-time.

Batty forever,

Greta