Comment from Sasha

Excellent

I HATE being scared. The first scary movie I saw was the Thing and I was pretty young. I couldn't sleep with the light off for months and cold air terrified me. But I do like a well made or written scary movie. But my true love is fantasy with a dash of humor. You know stuff like Iron Man (not the least bit scary) and of course, The Avengers...love the dynamite one liners.

Did you know that there is a fear gene? Some people have it and others don't. Those idiots that love wild roller coaster rides, jumping out of airplanes and free falling? They have the fear gene. They thrive on it and actually need it. People like me don't have it and don't do well with anything fearful. You couldn't pay me enough to jump out of an airplane three feet off the ground with two back-up chutes.

Your stories are really not scary but intriguing...how's that for a save? Great work with this one and kept my interest from beginning to end...and yes, I jumped when the photo turned creepy.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Ha, ha, thanks, Smurphgirlsasha, I appreciate the great comments on this essay. Some of my earlier stories are pretty creepy, but I've toned it down just a bit as of late. I'm sure I'll ramp up again to full steam before too long, LOL.

I must have that fear gene you mention. There is not a day goes by that I don't watch, read or write something scary. Plus, I have 33 logged skydives and I love to bungee jump, zip line and ride roller coasters. Oh, and haunted houses in the fall. Gotta' have
em! Heh-heh-heh... Thanks again!

reply by Sasha on 22-Jul-2014

Bungee jump...I'd sell one of my children to keep from having to do that!!!!!

reply by the author on 22-Jul-2014

:}

You should try it sometime. Quite a rush! LOL...

Comment from royowen

Excellent

I was vaguely aware the some original well known children's stories, have been " modified " to be more palatable for human consumption, one of the worse would have to be "Hansel and Gretel " . I you'll have to show me how to do those animations! Great job, blessings, Roy.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Thanks for the great review of this essay, Roy. I'm really glad that you liked it. If you really want to learn how to do the animations, I'd be very happy to teach you. Just drop me a note in my inbox, and we will go from there.

Thanks again. Roy.

Comment from Spitfire

Excellent

And Stephen King knows all of this. Indeed, what horror fairy tales, we read to our children-pushing a witch into an oven, a prince blinded by thorns, a poison apple. Guess kids love to be thrilled too. I can watch a horror movie if I plug my ears at the crucial moment. Sometimes even close my eyes. I laugh at ghost stories like Paranormal which was pretty boring. Anyway, thanks for the cool read.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Thank you for the great review. I appreciate it, Shari.

Comment from daeneam

Excellent

Hahaha... you're one sick man! Just kidding...

I've seen The Exorcist when I was just a kid and I was truly terrified. But as I grow up... I've learned one trick not to be scared with horror movies - turn off the volume.

With regards to that silly fairy tales - I've discovered infidelity: Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, all married Prince Charming. How could they live happily ever after? Isn't it horrible? Hahaha...

I am too amused with this stuff!

By the way... I am watching Fatal Attraction. I think, this is the kind of thrill I am looking for in a movie.

Good day, my friend! c", Mae

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Great movie, Mae, and thanks for the great review of this essay as well. Those are my favorite kind of "scary" movies, ones like Fatal Attraction. The things that can really happen. However, there is one that might make you turn on all of your lights if you're sitting in the dark. Watch the movie, 6 Souls, starring Julienne Moore. I'll bet that one will curl you hair for ya', LOL...

reply by daeneam on 21-Jul-2014

Okay, I'll look for a copy of that.

Last weekend, we've watched Carrie. I always like to have her power but the remake is corny...

reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Yeah, I usually avoid remakes like the plague, LOL!

reply by daeneam on 21-Jul-2014

hahaha

Comment from DALLAS01

Excellent

Loved this essay. Was unaware of that Cinderella version. I loved the Red Dragon series but I think one of the scariest books I ever read was Thin. Can't remember if that was by Steven King or one written under one of his pseudonyms. I do, once in a while question myself as to why I like good horror, but then I just ignore it and read on.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

You're probably thinking of Thinner, which was written by Stephen King under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, DALLAS. It is a great story.

Thanks for the excellent feedback and review!

reply by DALLAS01 on 21-Jul-2014

That was it.

reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

I am looking at it on my bookshelf above my computer as we speak, LOL... :D

Comment from Michaelk

Excellent

For starters, I have been desensitized to horror. Reading and especially writing so much of it myself has forever warped me. I saw the picture coming a mile away. (Sorry)
I agree that horror isn't about gallons of blood splattering across the screen. I agree with your theory on good horror. I like the way Stephen King does things. He takes one thing, one ordinary, everyday thing and he twists it until it shrieks.
I think the true key to horror is building believable and likable characters that get the reader involved in their lives...and then put them through hell.
Great essay (and you managed to do it without killing anyone...I hope).

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Ha, nope, no humans (or animals) were harmed in the making of this essay, Michael.

As a writer in the genre yourself, I really appreciate you giving me your feedback on the essay. That's what I'd hoped to do, spark intelligent debate on the genre.

Thanks so much again, Michael. Your thoughts and opinions are invaluable to me.

Comment from Darkhorse555

Excellent

i have to tip my hat love the picture effect really got me all spooked smiling always the very beautifully crafted piece of writing really enjoyed reading

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Thanks so much, my dark friend! I'm so glad you enjoyed that little gimmick. Thanks for your wonderful comments on the essay.

Comment from Jacqueline M Franklin

Exceptional

Hey Dean,

I six star love this!! So cool. It took a while for the adorable family pix to come up, but it did. Although, I believe I share your sentiment - I usually laugh. Extraordinary make-up jobs, to be sure!

Good luck in the contest, my friend. this is a keeper.

Cheers * Blessings
Keep Smilin'... Jax

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Thanks, Jax, I really appreciate it. I'm like you, as I said, I laugh at horror. Very little really gets to me. But I do questions sometimes what makes me laugh.

Thanks again for the excellent rating and review! Much obliged.

reply by Jacqueline M Franklin on 21-Jul-2014

You are most welcome. ('-')

Comment from MissMerri

Excellent

I've studiously avoided horror movies most of my life, but have read a few horror stories. I don't think I ever laughed though. Your author notes made me laugh. You express yourself extremely well, always, and this essay is no exception. I was puzzled by a few missing letters here and there, but maybe it was intended? For example: "his version was (a)? modified story about the legend of Undine"
and another just below: "Undine is (a)? mermaid who gives up her tail..." "In it, Cinderella (who then went by (a)? different name) Another question: In this sentence you've capitalized Gods (So disturbed, that at a feast for the Gods,) yet later in the same paragraph you do not. I would think both should be small g. Or at least consistent?
But these are such tiny little things, I am only mentioning them because you have entered this in a contest and I would guess you want it to be perfect. Good luck. I found it extremely interesting. MM

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Thanks so much, MissMerri, and you're right, I meant "gods", not "Gods". That's borderline blasphemy to me to capitalize mythical deities, so I appreciate you catching that! Thanks for pointing out those other errors as well. I am such a horrible editor! That's why I rely on very kind readers like yourself to point out those pesky nits so I can fix them.

Thanks for the great feedback and exceptional comments. I truly appreciate it!

reply by MissMerri on 21-Jul-2014

You really do edit quite nicely and I rarely every find anything to point out, so I'm glad if I was a wee bit helpful. These were, actually pretty tiny, and the essay was excellent.

Comment from kiwijenny

Excellent

Dean you are a hoot...I can handle imaginary horror ...zombies ...but when children are involved...like pet cemetery...Steven King...where a little 2-3 yr old boy is killed by an 18'wheeler....I couldn't take that...too close to home ...
I like what you do with the genre..
God bless

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2014

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reply by the author on 21-Jul-2014

Thanks, kiwijenny. I am very happy that you do! :}

Yeah, Stephen King is a master at making people cringe and squirm. The scene with Gage in Pet Cemetery is very hard to watch, I agree.