Formulating Horror

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

http://www.heretical.com/berne/nigysob.html
http://www.ericberne.com/games/games_people_play_kickme.htm

I've been debating a Peter Straub fan about the dynamics of horror writing. The fan opines that anything goes within a horror story, I say no: Even the random, chaotic word salad of schizophrenics conform to stochastic dynamics. Water flowing down a drain remains within fixed parameters. You cannot escape order.

So I started looking at the underlying patterns of horror writing. What makes one story the equivalent of waiting in a long line for hours, and another story take wings? Why do DRACULA and SALEM'S LOT and RED DRAGON and HELL HOUSE work? There are 2 answers.

#1. The monster and the protagonist play 2 games simultaneously; one is KICK ME, and the other is NOW I'VE GOT YOU, SON OF A BITCH. (see the links)

#2. The best stories are segmented into serial puzzles. Every significant action is puzzle solving.

 

[CharleyH]

http://www.heretical.com/berne/nigysob.html
http://www.ericberne.com/games/games_people_play_kickme.htm

I've been debating a Peter Straub fan about the dynamics of horror writing. The fan opines that anything goes within a horror story, I say no: Even the random, chaotic word salad of schizophrenics conform to stochastic dynamics. Water flowing down a drain remains within fixed parameters. You cannot escape order.

So I started looking at the underlying patterns of horror writing. What makes one story the equivalent of waiting in a long line for hours, and another story take wings? Why do DRACULA and SALEM'S LOT and RED DRAGON and HELL HOUSE work? There are 2 answers.

#1. The monster and the protagonist play 2 games simultaneously; one is KICK ME, and the other is NOW I'VE GOT YOU, SON OF A BITCH. (see the links)

#2. The best stories are segmented into serial puzzles. Every significant action is puzzle solving.

I love this thread, and so I am kicking it up. I don't think you are correct, but that is for discussion.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

CHARLEY

I have no stranglehold of the truth, but I do believe my theory has utility.

I'm testing it reading 2 volumes of Stevie King stories and some other tales by other writers. THE LANGOLIERS fits my theory, and its a pretty good tale. THE CELL fits the same theory.

I think that if Suzuki can train little kids to be violinists, someone oughta be able to train a kid/adult to write a decent story. I believe you can deduce recipes that make appetizing tales.

 

[gauchecritic]

I can't say yay or nay to training or deduction but I'd guess that if you write to a formula then you come with a formulaic story.

Style counts for so much in writing and for all the Harry Potter lovers out there there are a lot more haters or worse indifferents.

 

[unregistered]

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The same flame that melts butter, tempers steel.

Many years ago I was a civil enginner (now I'm not even civil) and many basic forms work very well for most applications, viz, post & beam, arch, cantilever, etc. But every form doesnt work for every application.

Take Thomas Harris for example. His books RED DRAGON, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, and HANNIBAL work very well using the formula I'm advocating. But when he wrote HANNIBAL RISING the book failed because the underlying structure failed. Gourmet cooking and fashion and home decorating are dandy topics, but none of it includes tension, suspense, or mystery. The book has no puzzles.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Found an interesting article by Stevie King today. It's fairly recent, and he talks about his fans. It seems few, if any, of them wanna discuss what he writes; they wanna talk about his celebrity status.

Do kiddies ever wanna talk about Miley Cyrus' songs? No! Theyre celebrity groupies.

I think King could wipe his ass with typing paper and it would be a best seller.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

Read SHANKSHAW REDEMPTION this weekend. It's not horror but does conform to my theory.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Found an interesting article by Stevie King today. It's fairly recent, and he talks about his fans. It seems few, if any, of them wanna discuss what he writes; they wanna talk about his celebrity status.

Do kiddies ever wanna talk about Miley Cyrus' songs? No! Theyre celebrity groupies.

I think King could wipe his ass with typing paper and it would be a best seller.

Celebrities often have a very warped view of what they are "famous" for. And their intentions are often very misconstrued by fans. King's Misery, for example.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

SELENA

I agree.

King seems to understand whats happening, but he admits he gets a big payday regardless of what he writes, and feels no guilt cashing the check.

More power to him, but dont whine about the critics.