Write What You Fear

By Hunter.Shea On May 20 2013, 9:26 am

The first piece of advice given to all new writers is “write what you know”. Now, when it comes to those of us brave, or insane enough, who desire to become horror writers, I have a little caveat to add.

Write what you fear.

If a subject doesn’t scare you, it’ going to be hard to give that little jolt of terror to your readers. Lucky for us, everyone fears something. Us horror folks have to dig down deep into our depraved psyches and root around for things we’d feel were best left to the recesses. Those fears don’t have to necessarily be of ghosts or monsters or spiders or apocalyptic events, though they are all great starting points.

I’m talking about the things that can put you in a panic attack spiral just by thinking about them. This is the real stuff, the emotional ooze from which all great stories arise. If you’re a parent, you naturally fear something bad happening to your child. Or maybe you have social anxiety. Does your stomach bunch into a knot when you cross a bridge, feeling that almost imperceptible bounce when you’re caught in traffic in the center of the span and the structure begins to sway? We’re talking dry mouth, heart palpitations, sweaty palms, the whole horrid deal. Read more…

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By Hunter.Shea On Mar 25 2013, 8:53 am

If you live with your creations long enough, they will become a part of you. I learned this yesterday when I went to visit the famously haunted Union Cemetery in Easton, Connecticut. The 400 year-old graveyard has been investigated by the renowned Warrens and countless other paranormal teams. It’s famous for sightings of the White [...]

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By Hunter.Shea On Dec 17 2012, 4:29 pm

Just hours after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, a fan wrote to me and asked if I found it hard to write horror novels when tragedies like this surround us more and more. At the time, I was watching the news unfold with my wife, who was in tears, and [...]

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By Hunter.Shea On Oct 29 2012, 10:42 am

In just a few more days, the veil between the living and the dead will be lifted and the streets will be filled with ghosts and goblins and devils – not to mention some Lady Gagas, Avengers and naughty nurses at the big people parties. And if you don’t like eggs or toilet paper on [...]

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By Hunter.Shea On Sep 23 2012, 9:00 am

I did it! I finally came up with a proper name for the month of October. But I’m getting ahead of myself. For those who don’t know me, I’m part of the Samhain Horror crew, and like Sy Sperling in those old Hair Club for Men commercials, I’m not just a writer, I’m also a [...]

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