I saw a call for submissions for Jamais Vu, The Journal of Strange Among the Familiar. They’re a horror/thriller market, and, though I seldom write horror or thriller stories, I thought it might do me good to stretch myself a bit and try.
I’m approaching this as if it were an episode of The Twilight Zone, which used to give me nightmares. I wasn’t supposed to watch it, but there was a framed picture of an angelic little girl saying her prayers that was perfectly positioned to pick up the reflection of the television, and I used to sneak and watch it that way. It’s possible that the reversed images and the juxtaposition of the angel and the monstrous, with the additions of guilt and lost sleep, may have made what was actually only mildly weird into an excess of morbid ghastliness.
So I have begun. I don’t know if the story will impress the editors, but the subject I’ve found to work with is sure creeping me out. I may regret this yet.
A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: What creeps your main character out the most?
MA
Jane
September 5, 2013 at 10:23amWhen I was little, the three of us got out of bed and peeked through the vertical crack left by a somewhat ajar, back room door, and stealthily watched that week’s episode of the Twilight Zone. We were stacked by height,one atop the other, peering through the crack.
William Shatner settles aboard the plane. His unattractive wife and he have tedious conversation.
AND THEN IT HAPPENS!!
The thing on the wing!
The horrible face in the window!!!
We were jumping around, trying not to scream… Honestly, I am quite sure now that the parental units had full cognizance of our presence. How could we not have made a terrible racket? Since we got our just deserts, we never heard a word about it. But, oh, man, did we ever have an unforgettable experience!
Marian Allen
September 5, 2013 at 10:30amOh, Lord, yes! The one that I STILL get a sick feeling contemplating is “The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street,” about the suburban neighborhood who think the Martians have infiltrated. ~shudder~