Terrible Monsters

I’ve never written a horror story, but if I did, I know what my first rule would be: No one’s allowed to turn and face the monster. In a horror story, everyone’s running from the monster, or screaming when they’re surprised by the monster, or being eviscerated, devoured, impaled, or possessed by the monster. Sometimes they’re creeping down into basements, or slowly opening bedroom doors, or wondering where that strange sound is coming from – but that’s all before they learn they’re in a horror story. That’s before they’ve met the monster.

The monster is no one’s friend. He’s alone and of a singular purpose. He doesn’t want to watch TV, or take a nap, or start a blog. He doesn’t have any hobbies. He may have once, but that’s well in the past. Now he’s just a monster, and his life has been reduced to death, death, horrible death. That’s all he wants, that’s all that will satisfy him, though he is never ever satisfied. His is a hunger that only increases the more he tries to feed it.

It’s maddening, really. You might feel sorry for him if you hung around with him, but you really wouldn’t want to. There’s the devouring you part, of course, but on top of that he’s just bad company. Get him in a conversation and he’s absolutely incapable of changing the subject. It’s just, kill, kill, kill. It’s boring and a little OCD. There’s so much more to life! There are songs to be sung, ice cream to be eaten, lovers to be held. But no, you can’t bring any of that up with him. If it’s not killing, he’s not interested.

You see why you can’t face the monster in a horror story? The moment the hero grabs an axe and stands his ground, it’s not a horror story any more. Now it’s an adventure story, or a war story, or a thriller. Start talking to that monster, as I am wont to do, and it could become a comedy. He’s just so ridiculous; has zero self-awareness. Talk to him long enough, and you might start feeling bad for the monster, and if you do, you may have a love story on your hands. No, better to keep my characters running, never looking back, terrified of what they think the future holds for them.

If you like the ideas and perspectives expressed here, feel free to contact me about individual coaching and group workshops.

Fearless Writing: How to Create Boldly and Write With Confidence.
You can find William at: williamkenower.com