Friday, July 31, 2009

Me no scary

Okay, I tried, I really did. I wanted to write a blood-drenched, haunted, freakish story to send to the Shadows of the Emerald City antho. It was called "Hunger" and starred the Hungry Tiger.

But I couldn't do it. I don't know how to write a scary story. I had to drag in bad guys--nomes, from several of the Oz books--to even bring myself to write about the Hungry Tiger attacking anyone, and then once the nomes had kidnapped Dorothy (and Billina the Yellow Hen, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion), the Hungry Tiger and Toto decided to rescue them. I did not actually mean for this to happen. The Hungry Tiger was supposed to be killing and eating everyone!

Obviously, I'm no horror writer. I'm happy writing fantasy. I've deleted my wretched attempt at "Hunger" and feel much better. Besides, I wasn't going to be able to finish before midnight anyway.

9 comments:

Aaron Polson said...

I'll let you in on a little secret. (I'm not scary either)

Fantasy is a good place to be.

Brigitte said...

my favorite thing is when they mix horror with fantasy.
Pan's Labyrinth is a wonderful example - it just sets such a unique mood and it makes all the butterflies flutter in my stomach C:

http://lookatmybackpages.blogspot.com/

K.C. Shaw said...

Aaron--But you're creepy, and I'm not even creepy. Not my writing, anyway. :)

Brigitte--The horror I like is fantasyesque too. I think I just invented a new word.

Cate Gardner said...

Hey, at least you tried. :D

Paula RC said...

I don't think you try to write anything, I think it just happens. I can't write romance when I do it changes into what I write naturally dark fantasy with a hint of love...;-)

Alan W. Davidson said...

Look at the bright side, KC.

Maybe not being a scary person is a good thing.

K.C. Shaw said...

Cate--not very hard, admittedly. :)

Jarmara--I think writers just naturally gravitate to what interests them, you're right.

Alan--There are worse qualities to lack than scariness. :)

Jamie Eyberg said...

I find nomes to be terrifying. Why would anyone want those in their garden?

K.C. Shaw said...

They look so innocent, idling the hours away fishing and pushing wheelbarrows. But we know the truth!