There are many things I enjoy about writing but by far, creating the monster is my favorite... I use the term Monster loosely, evil is evil anyway you slice it.
There is something fabulous about letting the darkest part of my mind take over unrelentingly, giving the baddie control to show me the most vicious parts of humanity and let go of any good to be purely malicious.
To be cruel without forgiveness is something that many of us know nothing about. But when you strap on the characters persona a whole new life and set of values takes form.
My monsters are nothing more than human. I have yet to dive into the world of creature creating. However, I look forward to the day I make that leap. For now, my evil-doers are in human form. They display a hint of nasty in the start, progressing deeper and darker into the pit where their heart should be as the story spins its sick tale.
I've only dabbled with self-acceptance of my love of all things horror for the last couple of years. And now that I have thrown myself into it so whole-heartily I am finding more and more fascination from how the first bloody seeds started to grow.
Though not writing, Universal Studios published a book of their monsters, from the birth of the very first silent horror film into the 1940's and 50's. They have a list of casts ranging from Lon Chaney, Bela Lugosi, and many many others, including Vincent Price.
The book breaks down the costumes, the sets, who was in what movie, a little spotlight piece on the studios main players, the plots and what the censers would and would not allow (I'll tell you it's nice to know that even back then people tested their boundaries away from the norm as they tried, and most times succeeded, to get things past the rule-makers.)
It's interesting because new questions are now popping up. I have always loved a good movie horror or otherwise, but to see things broken down in such a way, gives me an appreciation for just how far movies, technology and humans have come.
Plus it makes me hungry to find out more...
Including where the stories come from, I have set myself on sort of a Horror-Quest and I'm going to start researching and reading anything that would promote the birth of the genre I enjoy so much. I can't wait to see where it leads me. I am certain it will make me a better writer and a more well-rounded individual for me to find the roots, folklore and other things that will allow my brain to think in a new and different light.
3 comments:
I'm really interested in the origins of monsters too, specifically the social and historical origins of monsters like how zombies came from Haiti, where slave owners used to bury slaves alive to make them compliant.
I like that you dabble with human monsters. They're so much more real.
I have seen that book! It is a good one. : )
I'm usually a human monster writer too. But I've been trying to branch out to more "supernatural" ones. Specifically ones based in folklore from various cultures. I've always been fascinated by the oral tradition and how tales of monsters and creatures were perpetuated before they were even written down. And how they've been used throughout the ages to reinforce cultural norms. Have fun with this!
I am in the process of creating a monster for a new WIP now actually. Though, honestly, I usually find out that they exhist somewhere else. Once I start really digging--turns out they aren't really "my" creation : ) But oh well, I can always try to put a new spin on them.
HEY!!! I can comment on my blog now!!!
Thanks for the comments Ben and Soapy!!! It's great to see you both and to be able to comment!!!
W00Ts!!!
Good luck with your WIP Soapy!!
I like humans because they aren't supposed to be monsters. There is no reason for them to be monsters, except for their own cruel mind. Sick and twisted. Yes. We are.
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