Completely agree with everything said! Horror isn't a one size fits all, scariness isn't either and it's it's unfair thing to measure horror against in most instances. Few of my favourite horror works have anything similar to a jump scare and yet I can't get some images or ideas out of my head. Horror is something more persistent, more burrowing that won't leave you alone regardless of how hard you try... just as it should be.
Gosh, you articulated this so well. I couldn’t agree more! Thank you so much for this. I twitch whenever someone complains about a horror book not being “scary.” I’m almost never “scared” by the horror books I read, but they do often elicit various other emotions—even comfort, sometimes. Honestly, the scariest and most disturbing books I’ve ever read have been nonfiction.
Thank you for the kind word, Tiffany. Appreciate you. I get comfort from my horror books too! Especially my gothic thrillers. Such a sweet, sweet escape/
Exactly right--appreciate the POV! I love reading horror for mood, vibe, and how it can rattle around in my brain. I love getting and giving recos, and/but it's a very personal genre - maybe the most personal of genres. Genres, labels, classifications in general, 'scary,' in particular mean little to me when choosing what to read. Glad others feel similarly.
Its very true. I don't go for scary in my work. I want to upset the reader. Make the work worm it's way into their head and stay there for an undisclosed amount of time.
I also don't look for it in the media I read or watch. Again, I want to be made uncomfortable, pulled into it. Fear is so much more than just, BOO! I'll happily die on this hill.
THANK YOU for this. :-) I agree whole-heartedly. What strikes me, though, is that intelligently nuanced viewpoints like this are most often a discussion between readers and writers––but that kind of nuance seems to vanish as soon as we enter the world of publishers, agents, literary conferences, and booksellers, who all tend to live by a handful of strict genre-labels with codified rules and expectations. If more people in the industry adopted a curious and open-minded view (like yours), that would be a very good thing.
Horror is a wonderful rainbow and scary is only ONE of the colors! Thank you for pointing out all the other hues where horror shines.
A rainbow of horror! I love this word picture :)
Completely agree with everything said! Horror isn't a one size fits all, scariness isn't either and it's it's unfair thing to measure horror against in most instances. Few of my favourite horror works have anything similar to a jump scare and yet I can't get some images or ideas out of my head. Horror is something more persistent, more burrowing that won't leave you alone regardless of how hard you try... just as it should be.
Well said, Rebecca :)
I love this so much and you for speaking up! Never change babe
❤️
Gosh, you articulated this so well. I couldn’t agree more! Thank you so much for this. I twitch whenever someone complains about a horror book not being “scary.” I’m almost never “scared” by the horror books I read, but they do often elicit various other emotions—even comfort, sometimes. Honestly, the scariest and most disturbing books I’ve ever read have been nonfiction.
Thank you for the kind word, Tiffany. Appreciate you. I get comfort from my horror books too! Especially my gothic thrillers. Such a sweet, sweet escape/
Thank you for this
my pleasure :)
Exactly right--appreciate the POV! I love reading horror for mood, vibe, and how it can rattle around in my brain. I love getting and giving recos, and/but it's a very personal genre - maybe the most personal of genres. Genres, labels, classifications in general, 'scary,' in particular mean little to me when choosing what to read. Glad others feel similarly.
I love, love, LOVE this post! Absolutely all of this. I'm so tired of seeing people gatekeep what is or isn't horror!
It's such a senseless thing to do! I honestly don't understand the mind of a person who behaves in such a manner. Just be quiet! Lol
Its very true. I don't go for scary in my work. I want to upset the reader. Make the work worm it's way into their head and stay there for an undisclosed amount of time.
I also don't look for it in the media I read or watch. Again, I want to be made uncomfortable, pulled into it. Fear is so much more than just, BOO! I'll happily die on this hill.
THANK YOU for this. :-) I agree whole-heartedly. What strikes me, though, is that intelligently nuanced viewpoints like this are most often a discussion between readers and writers––but that kind of nuance seems to vanish as soon as we enter the world of publishers, agents, literary conferences, and booksellers, who all tend to live by a handful of strict genre-labels with codified rules and expectations. If more people in the industry adopted a curious and open-minded view (like yours), that would be a very good thing.
Mmm, yeah. I share your wish for the industry to be more open-minded about this issue.
When I remember the things that scared me as a child and compare that to my current jaded mindset, I totally agree with you. 🐈⬛
Love it. It's mind-boggling the various hairs people seek out to split.
agree
I completely agree with you! “Scary” is subjective, that’s why I read horror.
Thanks, Meem :)
💯!! I hate that gatekeeping. Even if only one person doesn’t read it because of that, they may be missing out on the best book they’ll ever read!
Yes! Which is beyond lame on their part for being so easily put off of a good book they wanted to read but shame on people leading others astray :)
Thank you so much for this. It's beyond frustrating, whether someone is reviewing my work or another horror novel/movie/whatever when this comes up.
Yeah, I almost can't read reviews of horror if it starts out with any "scary this" or "scary that" nonsense
Thank you for this, Sadie! I agree 100%.
Thank you, Catherine!