Comment from Tomes Johnston

Excellent

I totally agree with the author in this piece of writing. Horror is indeed an ancient form of writing and story telling. The ancient bards and story tellers have been at it for centuries, if not millennia. You only have to read some of the Norse legends like Beowulf to realise that. Grendel was a very horrifying beast, as was his mother. The ancient Greek myths are also full of horrifying beasts and monsters too. Most ancient cultures have horror stories, so the horror movie is new, but the stories are ancient. Vampires, Werewolves and Zombies have all been covered by ancient folklore, and they are the mainstay of the horror movie. This post is very true indeed. Well done.

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

Thanks so much, Tomes, and I couldn't have said it any better myself. The Bible even has some elements of horror and terror in it. The shifting serpent in the Garden of Eden. The monsters and beasts from the Book of Revelations, just to name a few...

Thanks again, my friend.

reply by Tomes Johnston on 22-Jul-2014

Keep up the good work.

reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

Thanks, Tomes. I'll certainly do my best, I can at least promise you that much. I'm not sure how good it will be, however, LOL.

reply by Tomes Johnston on 22-Jul-2014

It will be excellent as always.

Comment from A Matter Of Words

Excellent

That bloody picture took me by surprise and the coffee in my hand is now all over my papers! Holy Cow. I hate that kind of thing....well done. The story itself is an eye-opener. I did not know about that version of Cinderella. A great read, Dean...Best of luck...Stephanie

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

Oops! Sorry, Stephanie, but I did it to prove a point. Did it get your heart to racing, make you feel a bit invigorated? It is those reasons some of us crave that feeling, that "rush" to our senses.

I'm really sorry if I made you spill your coffee. I do appreciate the excellent feedback you've given me just the same!

Pleasant Screams!

reply by A Matter Of Words on 22-Jul-2014

Oh yeah, my heart raced and gut clenched...much like after the first drop of a mind-blowing roller coaster ride. The only difference is - I know what is coming with the ride. Apology accepted.:}

reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

:]

Comment from krys123

Excellent

Dean;
Very well done my friend from your introduction to your horrifying picture and the three different stories that seem to be very entertainingly corrosive in a certain type of way.
Imagination is out there somewhere which I like very much and is truly inventive and very much creative in your thought process.
You truly have a very demonstratively descriptive imagery that in the wrong hands like yours could be detrimental to a reader's health. Chuckle! Chuckle!
On the other hand the way you express yourself in this genre is like a little boy opening up Pandora's box and finds that what's inside this truly was the little boy needs to frighten his parents. Scary, hey!
Thank you very much my friend for sharing and posting this wonderful composition with everyone to read and they all your future endeavors like this be good ones.
Alex

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

Ha ha, yeah, you're right there, Alex. Give me a Pandora's Box, and I'm like a kid at Christmas. I try to tame my own stories down somewhat, with the exception of The Eyes Have It as of late. With that story, I went for the gusto to push all the repulsive, horrified and ghastly buttons I could push in readers. I prefer humor with horror, as well. I think we need a brief respite from all the stress a horror tale or movie can cause. it gives us time to catch our breath. That being said, I truly appreciate your awesome feedback on this essay. It's just what I needed!

reply by krys123 on 22-Jul-2014

You are indeed in sincerely welcome Dean.
I enjoyed reading really hororidly funny writings.
Ale

Comment from Phyllis Stewart

Excellent

Well, you haven't convinced me. I hate to be nervous and tense, let alone shocked and scared out of my mind. I refuse to watch movies with tension, waiting for the alien to jump out of the shadows. It does not exhiliarate me. It annoys me, even makes me angry. But love? Security? Closeness? I know all that very well, since I'm married to the best guy in the world. In fact, he has only one minor flaw: he likes horror movies. :)

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

Ha! I like him a lot already, Phyllis, heh-heh. I realize the genre isn't for everyone. But in a sense, your story if it were to be made into a television series or a movie would have some pretty horrific imagery and scenery. The Devil throwing rocks at people burning and suffering in the fiery pits of Hell? Yeah, that'd be pretty darn scary for most people. So, say a big Hollywood producer got wind of your story and liked it s-o-o-o-o-o much that he wanted to buy the rights to it and make it into a movie? Would you go to the premiere? Would you watch it at all, and if not, why not? If so, why?

Thanks for the entertaining review, my friend. Horror is all a matter of perspective.

reply by Phyllis Stewart on 22-Jul-2014

I think rocks tossed at condemned souls is funny cuz it's so stupid. I only get scared over things that seem possible. I can laugh at the 'creeping terror' and stupid old movie monsters like that. It's the tension and worry that upset me. Yes, worry that someone will get hurt. I hate to see human suffering, and it IS scary to think of things that might happen... things that HAVE happened to real people scare me SILLY. I'd just rather not think about certain things. Life is calmer and more pleasant that way. For me, at least. :)

Comment from forestport12

Excellent

I know what you mean my friend. I sometimes look at horror in two camps and to me it is too simplistic and not fair to those who write edgy fiction. There is blood and gore, the Zombie raids etc... and creepy alien stuff. But then there is the Hitchcock and Rod Serling type stuff which I love. I love how you can be on your front porch as a farmer in a cornfield and suddenly someone pops up between the rows and you don't know who he is, an alien, a convict, or an angel. The idea of an undercurrent like a riptide pulling you under and further away from safety, now that is scary!!

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

Thanks very much, Stan, and that is exactly what I meant. It's the little, everyday normal things that good writers of horror use to scare the crap out of us.

I really appreciate you review. And, being a writer of horror of sorts yourself, your feedback is invaluable to me. Thanks again!

Comment from Linda Engel

Excellent

very good report, as we have discussed, the good horror of our youth. good description and examples to help the youguns to understand the difference between slasher and horror. Well written. I don't laugh like you do, but the good stuff sends chills up and down my spine. I do have to say The Shinning was pretty damn scary.

 Comment Written 22-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

Yeah, King's movie adaptations are some of the best, I think. Well a few of them are. The SHINING is certainly one I would put in the very scary category.

Thanks for the feedback and great review, Linda.

Comment from Dawn Munro

Excellent

Holy jumping doddle, Dean, you scared the crap outta me with that picture - I wouldn't use a lead-in like that, as effective as it is - LOL - not without warning - somebody is liable to have a heart attack! (Honestly - I am not kidding, as much as I am laughing at myself right now. That's my one critique for this well-written piece. After our earlier discussion about horrible comments, I do feel bad to point this out, and I'm SO hoping you aren't offended, but read on and you'll see why I say this...)

Jesus. My pulse is still jumping, and I am a horror buff. LOL. I'm not even going to look at that picture again, as fascinated as I am by how it works!

Great examples you give to back up your claim that horror isn't a new genre. But seriously - have mercy - that was so completely unexpected - I did not know technology for artwork would even do that, and I suspect most people wouldn't.

You are so BAD!!! (LOL - NOW I'm kiddin' you.) PUT A WARNING - NOT FOR WEAK-HEARTED PEOPLE> sheeee-it! (LOL)

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

Ha ha, okay, Dawn I will include some kind of warning. How does this sound...

WARNING: IF YOU FRIGHTEN EASILY PLEASE, PROCEED WITH CAUTION

Think that'll do it?

reply by Dawn Munro on 22-Jul-2014

WHEW!!!! YES! PERFECT! Now, go read the PM I just sent you and it'll help explain further. I just don't want to put what I wrote in the PM out in public (again) 'cause there are too many who dismiss it as b.s.

Thanks, buddy!