Top Ten Horror Movies Of A Kindle Horror Book Writer

As a published author of Kindle paranormal and horror books, and as a huge fan of horror movies, I would like to list my all time top ten horror movies. As there are some real classics here, I am sure that some of these movies will also feature highly in the top ten lists of many other horror fans.

1. Frankenstein (1931) - The granddaddy of them all: Frankenstein's Monster, played by the great Boris Karloff. This was the film that got me hooked on horror movies when I first saw it as a kid. Nobody has been able to play Frankenstein's creation quite like Karloff did, as he brought a remarkable sense of pathos to the role. I love everything about this movie, from Colin Clive's ecstatically crazed tones of "It's alive! Alive!" to the fiery finale in the old windmill. The ultimate Universal horror movie, and a true classic.

2. The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) - It's not often that a sequel to a popular movie lives up to the first. The Bride of Frankenstein was one of those pleasing exceptions. In fact, many cinema buffs regard this second film in the Karloff Frankenstein trilogy as being even better than the previous one. Again, Universal work their special movie monster magic here, as Dr Frankenstein is forced to create a mate for his creature - with disastrous results. Elsa Lanchester is brilliant as the Bride, as is Ernest Thesiger who plays the devious Dr Pretorius. This is also the movie where the monster learns to speak, albeit with a very limited vocabulary. Again, like the first film, a true horror classic.

3. Dracula (1958) - The movie that led me to becoming a BIG fan of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. Seeing the Hammer Dracula for the very first time, with those terrifying blood-red eyes, razor-sharp fangs and hissing visage made the old black-and-white Dracula movies same so tame by comparison. The definitive Hammer horror movie, and one that should be in every horror fan's DVD collection. Christopher Lee is the best Dracula ever, a fact attested to when the studio had him coming back again and again in a new sequel. Nobody can play Dracula as brilliantly as Christopher Lee can, and I don't think anybody ever will.

4. The Wolf Man (1941) - Universal added a third movie monster to their chamber of celluloid horrors in the form of the Wolf Man, and although, unlike Frankenstein's monster and Dracula, this creature was not taken directly from a novel (it was from a Curt Siodmak script), it still proved to be every bit as terrifying and awesome as the other two. Lon Chaney Jr. played the cursed lycanthrope Lawrence Talbot magnificently, and his character's exploits were wonderfully enhanced by the atmosphere of fog-shrouded forests, creepy gypsy clans and brilliant musical score. And, of course, Jack Pierce did a brilliant job with the Wolf Man makeup.

5. Psycho (1960) - Famous for its notorious shower scene, Psycho (based on Robert Bloch's novel) is the King of the Slasher Films. Horror moves away from the fantasy world of monsters like The Wolf Man and Frankenstein and into a more close-to-real-life setting, namely a secluded motel run by a seemingly shy, inoffensive young man by the name of Norman Bates. But that initial impression is soon shattered when he dons his mother's clothes and goes on a demented killing spree. Psycho is truly one of Hitchcock's greatest movies.

6. Tales From The Crypt (1972) - You can't beat a good horror portmanteau movie, and of all the films of that type I have seen over the years, I found Tales From The Crypt to be the most enjoyable. Every story is brilliant, especially the one involving Joan Collins and the crazed Santa Claus, and that includes the framing story. Ralph Richardson is also fantastic as the Crypt Keeper. Thank you so much, Amicus, for bringing us masterpiece of portmanteau horror.

7. Halloween (1978) - This John Carpenter movie really proved that you can still scare viewers half to death with a good slasher story without resorting to excessive blood and gore. Masked Michael Myers - also known as "The Shape" - relentlessly stalks Jamie Lee Curtis through darkened streets and houses amid a creepy Halloween atmosphere. Donald Pleasance presents a memorable performance here too as Dr Loomis, who pursues his former patient Myers determinedly and fearlessly throughout the movie. A true horror classic.

8. Dracula Has Risen From The Grave (1968) - For me, this movie just embodied everything that was wonderful about Hammer: vibrantly lush settings, beautiful heroines (in this case, the lovely Veronica Carlson), great storyline, and, of course, the wonderful Christopher Lee as Count Dracula, who is revived from a watery grave by the spilling of the blood of a priest, whom he later makes his servant. I especially enjoyed the part where Paul, Maria's boyfriend, stakes Dracula in his coffin, but being an atheist can't recite the holy ritual necessary to ensure complete destruction of the evil vampire. I never get tired of watching this movie, it's that good.

9. Friday The 13th (1980) - An as yet hockey-mask-devoid Jason Voorhees makes his terrifying debut in this gory shocker from 1980. Although I did go on to enjoy all the sequels, the very first Friday The 13th movie will always be my special favourite, mainly because of the aura of mystery that surrounded the Voorhees character.

10. The Wicker Man (1973) - I cannot utter enough superlatives to describe this fantastic cult movie. Truly, one of the most unusual and original films that I have ever seen. Edward Woodward is superb in the role of Police Sergeant Neil Howie, who comes to the remote Hebridean island of Summerisle in search of a missing girl who the locals claim never existed. Being a devout Christian, Howie is disgusted to find that the islanders practise a weird form of Celtic paganism, including open copulation. Christopher Lee is also brilliant as Lord Summerisle, whose devious intentions lead Howie into a trap, culminating in one of the most horrific, heart-wrenching climaxes in horror movie history. The Wicker Man ranks not only in my all time horror movie top ten, but also in my all time top ten films ever.

Horror Audio Books That Should Be Made Into Movies

Clive Barker's remarkable Hollywood ghost story captures the reader's attention from the start. The characters are all interesting in their unique ways and, like most good tales of suspense, the villains take evil to another level.

Summer of Night

Dan Simmons' excellent novel about children growing up in the 1950s who have to band together in order to fight a terrifying monster that could potentially destroy their whole town. There is something lurking in the basement of the Old Central school and a small group of friends discover the true nature of evil.

Swan Song

Robert McCammon's post apocalyptic tale has often been compared to Stephen King's The Stand and that comparison certainly is appropriate. The story of a young gifted girl named Swan, a schizophrenic bag lady, and a wrestler named Black Frankenstein fighting against a malevolent demon after a nuclear apocalypse has wiped out most of civilization is certainly one of the more enjoyable horror books to be written in the 1980s.

Manhattan Murder Club

John Saul leaves behind the familiar territory of the supernatural to delve into real world evils of homelessness and political corruption in this horror novel. A young man is convicted of a violent crime that he didn't commit. Instead of going to prison, he is kidnapped and wakes up in a room deep in the sewers of New York City. A stranger tells him and another man that they've been chosen for the hunt and if they can make it to the surface, they're free. But if not, they die.

The Rising

Brian Keene's epic zombie apocalypse novel about scientists unleashing demons into our own world which allows them to inhabit the bodies of the recently dead, who awake and kill the living. The book won the Bram Stoker Award for best fiction and it is one of the better zombie novels available on audio.

Annoying Horror Movie Cliches

I

f you're an ardent horror movie fan, you've probably encountered them from time to time. I am talking about those annoying horror cliches, which always seem to destroy the credibility of a film by virtue of their ridiculous, unrealistic scenarios.

Here are some of the more common horror cliches which, I'll bet, have made you roll your eyes and shake your head in utter disbelief many a time:

1. Don't Go In That House Alone - I have seen this irritating cliche played out, time and time again, in all kinds of horror movies, especially in the teen-slasher productions. You get a stupid boy or girl, who know damn well that there is a crazed, masked killer stalking the house - and yet suddenly develop a most ludicrous surge of courage and venture into the house, on their own, to confront the killer or monster, in the lame hope that they will overpower it and kill it. The culmination of this silly endeavour is that the person usually ends up being slaughtered themselves.

2. Why Do They Always Get In The Car? - The protagonist is being chased by the psycho killer or bloodthirsty monster. They spot a vacant car. What do they do? They only get into it and stupidly attempt to start it up. In real life, if you were in a similarly perilous situation, with a maniac or creature chasing you, your nerves would be racing that much and your heart would be beating so fast that the last thing you would feel capable of doing would be to stop and try to get into a car, thereby giving your pursuer some extra time to catch up with you. Instead, you would just keep on running and running into the woods, as fast as your legs would carry you. And isn't it amazing how their hand never trembles a bit as they fiddle around with the ignition?

3. There Is Always An Expert In The Group - You can guarantee that whenever there is a group of people who encounter a creature such as a vampire or werewolf, there will ALWAYS be at least one self-proclaimed "expert" among them who knows how to deal with the creature, be it with a stake or silver bullet.

4. Don't Step Over The Dead Body - Isn't it just so unrealistic and crazy when the hero kills the monster or maniac they've been fighting with - or THINKS they have. And then - foolishly failing to make hundred per cent sure that their enemy is dead - they step over the dead body... and then their ankle is grabbed by the apparently still living monster! For heaven's sake, when you whack a monster over the head with a club or whatever, just make sure the thing really IS dead, will you? Strewth!

5. There's A Ghost In My House, But I Am Not Moving Out - I have seen this pathetic cliche played out in hundreds of spooky movies. The story basically features a young couple that move into a house... and start experiencing a succession of strange incidents, which seem to suggest that they have a resident ghost. But what do they? They stay in the house, despite the acceleration of paranormal incidents they encounter, and usually summon either a medium or an exorcist. More ridiculous, even when their helper doesn't manage to clear their home of the entity completely, they STILL stay in the house, and you might get the husband uttering something like, "No, honey, we've got to STAY here and confront this thing. It is NOT going to drive us out of our dream home." Lord, give me strength!

6. Run Upstairs Instead Of Out The Front Door - This cliche really annoys me. The victim is being chased all around the house by a psycho killer. And what do they do? Instead of running out through the front door, they dash upstairs, stupidly rendering themselves utterly trapped up top as their pursuer creeps up the stairs, closing in on them for the kill.

7. The Cat Jump Scare - Seen this cliche repeated so many times in horror movies over they years that I have now just given up all hope that they will EVER scrap it. You know the one I mean: the cat suddenly jumps out at you and scares you witless.

So there you have it: some of the worst horror cliches I have ever had the misfortune to see. I'll bet all of you can think of many, many more to add to that list. I certainly can.

Come on, all you horror movie writers - start making horror stories realistic and original, instead of relying on the same old tired cliches to get a cheap scare out of cinema goers.

10 Best Horror Novels of All Time

There is nothing like a good scary story to get the blood to pumping! If you love being terrified, read on to discover the 10 best horror novels ever! How many of these make you want to sleep with the lights on?

1. The Shinning by Stephen King - There is nothing like an abandoned hotel during the winter to keep you up at night, add in a creepy kid with psychic ability and a father losing his mind and it makes for a great read!

2. It by Stephen King - An eponymous being disguised as a clown that prefers children for his prey. A clown... Enough said.

3. Salem's Lot by Stephen King - There is so much going on in this book, vampires, a cemetery, and a creepy laughing child.

4. Dracula by Bram Stoker - Just when you thought Stephen King was going to dominate the list, along comes a classic that gave us the romantic image of the vampire. A must read for any horror fan.

5. Misery by Stephen King - And now it's back to the master, yes, it's Stephen King again. A crazed fan, an unfortunate accident, and some of the best descriptions I have ever read.

6. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty - I didn't think this one was particularly scary, but no horror list would be complete without it.

7. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - Frankenstein is a classic horror tale that no list would be complete without! A doctor's obsession reanimates the dead in this famous cautionary tale of romance and science fiction.

8. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin - I made the mistake and saw the film first, but it really can't do justice to this story. A young couple moves into a new apartment and meets the strange couple next door. Suddenly, things take a very dark turn! Not something you should read if you're pregnant.

9. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice - One of my all-time favorite books! Anne Rice introduces the sympathetic vampire and brings the flagging genre back to life. A must read for any vampire fan.

10. Cujo by Stephen King - The book that made everyone terrified of dogs! A rabid dog terrorizes a woman and her child. The book scared me enough, but then I turned around a watched the movie too!

Now that you have your list of the best horror novels ever, why not go over to the library and check out a few?

Top 10 Horror Movies

A few months back I set a poll on one of my sites which asked horror fans to rate their top ten horror movies of all time. In this article I list the movies and explain what makes horror fans rate them so highly.

Psycho (1960)

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho terrifies audiences because it is an exploration of insanity which concludes that anyone, even the sane, can become insane and suffer terrible consequences.

Alien (1979)

The powerful theme in Alien is one of disease. The crew aboard a futuristic space vessel become infected by an alien species and hunted down in grisly fashion. Perhaps the most terrifying thing about Alien is the theme it shares with Psycho: Evil is inside of us and, thus, cannot be easily escaped.

The Shining (1980)

Almost every college campus bedroom has the poster of Jack Nicholson peering through a recently-axed bathroom window, grinning in his uniquely iconic, maniacal manner. This easily deserves to be one of the top 10 horror movies of all time. Derived from the book by Stephen King, Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece is a haunting look at insanity and claustrophobia, as the Wife and Son of Jack Torrence are mentally abused and later on hunted down by him in a remote hotel called The Overlook. What perhaps scares us most here is the possibility that our trusted loved ones can become our worst enemies.

Aliens (1986)

In Aliens we see Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) return with a rescue team to a colony where she must do battle with yet more aliens. No one believes her, of course, until it is too late and both herself and the other crew members are besieged by dozens of drooling, toothy beings. It is the claustrophobic settings here, more than the Aliens, that we find most scary.

Les Diaboliques (1955)

A boarding school headmaster is murdered by his mistress and wife who has a weak heart. They submerge his corpse in their school's swimming pool but, upon being brained, the body has disappeared. What ensues are scenes of suspense that slowly turn the murderers insane with tension. This movie is painful and terrifying to watch as we, unwillingly, must become the killers and share their fears. Although it is one of the top 10 horror movies of all time, I would say it is - possibly - the best suspense movie of all time.

Jaws (1975)

Amity Island has everything: beautiful beaches, warm weather, friendly inhabitants . . . oh, and a fifteen-foot killer great white shark! This is the original summer block buster known to all movie-goers. The theme here is man against nature. What terrifies most about Jaws is the uncompromising monster. He will not be reasoned with, he will not stop eating, and you will not escape his teeth, even if you're an expert shark fisherman. In this film only the lucky survive.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

This horror movie takes up where Frankenstein left off. Frankenstein and his monster are both still alive. The crazy Dr Pretorius kidnaps Frankenstein's wife and blackmails him to create another monster to become bride to the original abomination. With grave-digging, decaying corpses, re-animated living tissues, and the terrifying theme that man should not play God, this is a truly terrifying tale.

The Thing (1982)

In a remote Antarctic station, an expedition of American scientists encounters a dog, being perused by a helicopter which crashes. That same night the dog attacks both dogs and scientists and soon a shape-changing entity is loose among the survivors. The notion that evil lurks within those we trust is explored here to terrifying affect.

King Kong (1933)

When original audiences watched King Kong many of them literally ran screaming up the isles. Never had a monster been so realistically portrayed.

The Exorcist (1973)

In the Exorcist we are confronted by the ultimate evil: The Devil and his minions. Unlike serial killers or ghosts, Satan seems invincible; success feels hopeless. This terrifying film was made shocking by the use of blasphemy, a child becoming possessed and spouting obscene language; and the weakness of Good (namely an alcoholic priest) in the face of purest evil.

The top 10 horror movies of all time will, of course, change in the future, but - perhaps - the themes will remain the same. We will always be scared of inner evils (insanity), invincible evils (nature and the Devil), and monsters, of all shapes and sizes, will likely still prove to entertain and terrify!

Tips on How to Write a Scary Story

You've seen the scariest flicks, read the most haunting novels and delved into psychological thrillers that kept you turning pages well into the night. These stories have sparked your imagination, and now you're ready to pen your own spine-chilling narrative. An effective tale of terror can be shared with friends, family or even a fictional market for publication.

1. Share your Fear

   • Whatever scares you most could form the basis of your story. The novel "Carrie" is about a girl with telekinesis, but it also explores growing up and trying to fit in (a recognizable theme). Root your horror in something as identifiable. Your life experiences, given the proper dramatic flair and attention to detail, can leap off the page and into the imagination of the reader. Find the chilling in the every day. If you have an aversion to clowns, Ferris wheels or hospital waiting rooms, your audience might feel that fear, too. Take an unusual turn. Take the path less taken. Write what you know.
     

   Use Strong Characters

   • In horror, it's easy to fall into the trap of sending your main character off to be maimed or incapacitated. These plot traps are often unconvincing, and the reader simply won't care enough to become emotionally invested. Worse yet, they may abandon your story entirely. Create a compelling protagonist. Consider what hurts him the most and use it to raise the stakes of the narrative. Your characters should be relatable, not just pieces on a chessboard to be pushed around in service of your plot. Keep the parts of your well-oiled narrative machine rolling from one scene to the next. Make your audience feel what your protagonist feels.
     

   Build Suspense Convincingly

   • Now that your audience cares about your protagonist, you can begin to build terror around him. H.P. Lovecraft's fiction is scary for what it doesn't show: the build up -- the terror on the outskirts. Withhold information -- or the monster -- as long as you can for the maximum effect. But don't cheat the readers at the end. Give them a logical and satisfying conclusion. Explicit imagery may pad your story, but you want to affect your readers emotionally.
     

   Read More

   • Read for inspiration, and more importantly, re-read those scary stories that still entertain you. Study what devices the writer used to effectively convey fear. A steady diet of words from a variety of sources will arm you with the tools you'll need as a writer. Reading will help you to avoid embarrassing clichés, such as "it was all just a dream," or ill-planned twist endings. Though popular, vampires, werewolves, ghosts and goblins should be avoided. If you have a new spin on the mythos, try that instead.
     

   Take the Mundane and Make it Scary

   • Many memorable horror stories stay with us because they are to some degree about the supernatural intruding upon the mundane world. They elicit a reaction in the reader because it feels as if it could happen. Find a middle ground; one which avoids the overtly quirky and unbelievably outlandish. Horror doesn't have to be large, lumbering monsters and discordantly creaky doors. Scary can be quiet, restless, shadowy and strangely unassuming. Small is sometimes better.
     

Vocabulary Words for Writing Scary Stories

Description is one of the four main forms of discourse, according to David Grambs’ “The Describer’s Dictionary.” When writing scary stories, use a thesaurus or other vocabulary reference book to enhance your description of events, places and characters. The more interesting your vocabulary, the better your readers will be able to imagine themselves in the story.

1. Words That Set the Mood

   • A truly horrifying story establishes an eerie atmosphere right from the beginning. An effective writer will send signals to the reader that the story will be scary and depressing using such vocabulary as “gloomy,” “somber,” “dreary,” “forbidding” and “creepy.” You can also ascribe scary characteristics to inanimate objects to heighten the mood. Buildings can appear “intimidating,” and a forest can look “menacing.”
     

   Words That Evoke the Five Senses

   • A tale is even scarier when readers can see, hear, touch, taste and smell things in the story. A place can exude an “acrid,” “pungent” or “choking” stench. The protagonist can hear strange “clanking” sounds, or a scary character can speak in a “dark,” “steely,” “sepulchral,” “sibilant” or “guttural” voice. Use hues such as “pitch black” and “ebony” to describe things that are dark. A drink or item of food can taste “sour,” “fetid,” “foul” or “rancid.” Objects can feel “slimy” or “grimy.”
     

   Words That Heighten Suspense

   • H. P. Lovecraft, a famous American horror novelist, wrote that “the strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” A writer can increase fear in a reader by not giving away every detail of a monster, ghost or place. Establishing something as mysterious builds suspense, as the reader fills in the blanks with his own imagination and desires to continue reading to find out more. Ambiguous descriptions, such “an amorphous creature,” “hazy air,” “opaque waters,” “tenebrous valley” or “unintelligible sound” create a disturbingly unfamiliar atmosphere for the reader.
     

   Words That Show Fear

   • A scary story needs a protagonist frightened out of her wits. Words like “horrified,” “horror-struck,” “petrified,” “panic-stricken,” “appalled,” “witless” and “aghast” will do; however, representing the signs of a protagonist's fears are even better. Perhaps she has “droplets of sweat” on her forehead, her knees are “knocking,” or she is “trembling,” “quivering,” “shuddering,” “quailing” or “quaking.” You can describe her as “transfixed” or “paralyzed” in place.
     

How to Download Movies for Free on a Mac

Many people have heard of movie downloading, a term often associated with illicit activities and copyright infringement. Fortunately, there are a number of free, legal options available for film fans who want to view movies on their Mac. The Internet Media Archive contains thousands of public domain feature films in every genre imaginable, while Apple's iTunes digital music store offers a number of video podcasts, including "Cult of UHF" (sci-fi/horror films) and "Cult of Kung Fu" (martial arts movies), bringing free cinematic entertainment right to your Apple machine.



Downloading from the Internet Media Archive
1



Launch Apple's Safari web browser for the Macintosh and navigate to the Internet Media Archive webpage.
2



Click "Moving Images."




Scroll through the categories and select "Movies." Note that many other categories are also available to suit your interests, including "Animation & Cartoons," "News & Public Affairs" and "Sports Videos."
4



Click "Feature Films."
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Browse through the resulting categories, which include "Comedy Films," "Film Noir," "Sci-Fi/Horror," and many more. Click the one that most closely matches your current film-watching mood.
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Choose a letter from A to Z under "Browse By Title." A list appears, containing all the available movies that begin with this letter. (For instance, to locate the classic horror movie "Carnival of Souls," choose "C" under the "Sci-Fi/Horror" category.)
7



Locate the film you want to watch, then click on its title. On the film's information page, you will see options to stream the film (i.e., watch it in your web browser) or download it to your computer. Generally a standard .MP4 version will be available (viewable with Apple's QuickTime player, which is most likely preinstalled on your system. If not, it can be downloaded from Apple's website). Alternately, Apple's iTunes media player software (also preinstalled on most Macs) will play .MP4 files as well. Depending on the film, other media formats may be available too, including versions for the iPod/iPhone.
8



Stream the movie. To start, click on the "Play Video" link. To download the movie, press the CTRL button on your keyboard while clicking on the desired video link, then click "Download Linked File" on the resulting pop-up menu.
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Locate the file on your hard drive once the download has completed. Double-click it and enjoy the show.
Downloading from the "Cult of UHF" or "Cult of Kung Fu" Video Podcasts
10



Launch iTunes and click "iTunes Store" on the left side of the screen.
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Type "cult of uhf" or "cult of kung fu" (without the quotes) in the "Search Store" box at the top of the screen. Click the name of the desired podcast in the resulting list of matches.
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Scroll through the list of available movies and locate the film you wish to download. Click the "Free!" link on the right side of the screen, beside the name of the film in question.
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Double-click on the name of the movie to watch it after the film downloads. It will be found in the "Podcasts" section of your iTunes. The film can also be copied to your iPod or iPhone for on-the-go viewing.

How to Get a Horror Novel Published

“It was a dark and stormy night …” So what’s next? Now that you have written the great American horror novel, how can you share your brilliance with your soon-to-be adoring fans? Getting a horror novel published, especially if it is your very first work, can be difficult and time-consuming, but the satisfaction you get from that one acceptance letter will make it all worth it. Ready to take the next step to literary greatness? Here’s how.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Have more than an idea. Some writers don’t want to put in the time without having some kind of commitment, and even though publishers want you to be open to the idea of altering your manuscript, they do want you to have a word count and storyline well established before you submit a query. Only the very best, most well-established writers can pitch an idea, so if you aren’t Stephen King, have your novel 99 percent done before submitting your queries.
     
   • 2
     Get some credits to your name. Publishers want to know that you have an audience, and have had some quality writing already acknowledged. You don’t have to have a full-fledged novel completed and already published to get your new deal cemented, but be sure to submit some short stories or other articles to other publishers and get your self some “tear sheets” before pitching your novel. Having your work already in print tells an editor that you are a quality writer who can fulfill the requirements of a novel manuscript.
     
   • 3
     Be flexible. If this is your first novel, consider publishing it (and maintaining copyrights) in an online or traditional horror magazine. Submit it to contests or even publish it yourself. Getting some credentials is important, and creating relationships in the industry by submitting to smaller venues will help you in the future.
     
   • 4
     Write a great query letter. Much like a resume, your query letter is your introduction to an agent or publisher, and you want to make sure it’s a great start. I suggest beginning your query letter with a riveting excerpt (about one paragraph) from your novel before going into all the nitty-gritty details a publisher needs.
     
   • 5
     Find the right publisher. You don’t want to create a bad reputation for yourself by following the “shotgun” method of submissions. Try to send your material to the right publishers so you don't waste the time of editors who aren't relevant to your style of writing. Go to a bookstore, find books that are similar to yours and make note of their publisher. Pick up The Writer’s Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents and look up the horror-book genre for other publishers who may be interested in seeing your work.
     
   • 6
     Once you have done your homework, send your query letters (with the requested chapters) to the relevant publishers or agents. Keep track of who you are sending to, and be sure to tell publishers whether you are making multiple submissions or sending the manuscript solely to them. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope and be sure to follow publishers' submission policies--to the letter!
     

How to Write a Horror Story

Horror stories have interested people from the beginning of time, which is also about how long they've been around. Writing horror stories can be fun and takes some work, but it's worth it once you have let your imagination run wild. Some writers have to begin with a title, but it isn't necessary. Here are some steps for writing your horror story.

1. Prepare to Write Your Horror Story

   • 1
     Decide on the plot of the story. Read a variety of horror stories by a wide variety of writers to get ideas on more common horror plots, then decide if you want to go the more traditional route or come up with something completely new. You can also use the plot of a nightmare you've had.
     
   • 2
     Decide on the location of the story. A key tip in writing is to write what you know. Use a location that is familiar to you. If you have stayed in one and have vivid memories of it, set your story there. You could also set the story in an office like the one where you work. Being familiar with your setting will make the story more real and believable to the reader.
     
   • 3
     Decide on the number and types of characters that will be in the story. It's fun to base characters on people you know or have known. Be creative and make characters who have similar expressions or appearance to people in your life or combine two or three people's characteristics into a character in your story.
     

   Develop Plot for Your Horror Story

   • 4
     Determine the main action of the story. Will there be an accident, a murder, a suicide or some other tragedy? Will there be a run-in with zombies, ghosts, a deranged killer, a possessed animal or a demonic child? Or will you come up with something completely unique, an idea no one has ever tried?
     
   • 5
     Decide if the story takes place in the city, country or some other location. Popular horror settings are abandoned warehouses, lake cabins, parking garages, dark houses when a storm has knocked out power, or even on an old farm. The setting is usually dark to allow for plenty of things to "go bump in the night."
     
   • 6
     Resolve your story with a strong ending. Will the main character be a hero and save a few other characters from death? Will the whole thing be a nightmare that goes away in the morning? Will the horror revolve around a spell that once broken in the end also ends the horror? While you should be creative with the ending, it still needs to make sense to be satisfying to the reader.
     

   How to Develop Characters for a Horror Story

   • 7
     Determine the gender of your characters, giving first and last names to each character. Try not to name characters after people you know or other real people. Make a list of first names and another list of last names, then match them up to see what names sound good and are easy or fun to say and read.
     
   • 8
     Decide on where each character lives. All the characters don't have to be from the same area where the story takes place. Make them seem real to the reader by placing characters in logical settings. Or put a twist to your character's surroundings. For instance, you would normally think of an old woman with lots of cats living in a little old run-down house; put her into a high-rise luxury apartment in the middle of a bustling city instead to add mystery and intrigue to your story.
     
   • 9
     Develop a background of each character. Have a variety of occupations to make the story more interesting. Again, use something familiar to you so you can write in detail about the kinds of things they do. Call on your own background or do casual interviews with friends in researching interesting backgrounds you can use.
     
   • 10
     Draw out a relationship map for the characters, determining whether they are single, married or divorced and how their relationships tie them together. This is most easily done by mapping it out on a poster board or a white board much like you would draw a family tree or organizational chart for a company. Doing this will help you keep it straight, too. The last thing you want to do is confuse the reader by getting the relationships mixed up. A white board allows you to make changes; just make sure your story reflects those changes if you make them mid-writing.
     

How to Costume Like a Rocky Horror Fan

The cult film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," adapted from a musical that premiered in London in 1973, remains a "Midnight Movie" staple decades after its release. Whether you want to create a costume to look like Magenta, Dr. Frank-n-Furter or any of the other characters, it's easy to do with all of the fan site information on the Net to guide you. Here's a brief recap of that info.

Instructions

• 1
  Admire the characters and their flashy costumes. Accomplish this by watching the movie over and over, specifically at midnight showings. Most large cities and college towns show Rocky Horror at midnight on Fridays or Saturdays. Check listings for the local art or underground theater in your area.
  
• 2
  Fashion a Frank-n-Furter costume by using a black tank top, sequins, black underwear, cape and thigh-highs. You'll need to attach glitter to chunky high heels, the kind you'll find at Fredericks of Hollywood or Forplay. Of course, you'll need to do Frank's eye-make up expertly. Study the movie or pics for details.
  
  

  • 3
    Sing along with all the musical numbers. Midnight show attendees warble along with tunes such as "Time Warp," "Sweet Transvestite" and "Science Fiction/Double Feature." Costumed fans also appear on stage, acting out the movie scenes along with the film as it plays.
    
  • 4
    Collect sequins, ribbons, bustier, bow tie and top hat to make Columbia's outfit. Study pics of her costume because it's the most elaborate of the bunch. Spray gold paint on the top hat and add sequins to the bustier and bow tie. You'll also need striped shorts, blue May Jane shoes, and fishnets to complete the spangly outfit.
    
  • 5
    Slow down and make a simpler costume by putting together Magenta's French maid outfit. Buy a short black cotton shirt dress and add cuffs and collar from an old white cotton shirt. Then find sheer stocking and suspenders for a spicy touch. A white apron and granny boots finish the ensemble.
    
  • 6
    Craft a Riff-Raff costume with the most important piece first-a bald cap with straggly, dirty blonde hair glued on. Make sure the wig you've attached isn't beautiful and luxurious. Grease it up with gel for the proper effect. You'll also need a ripped black tailcoat, a "hump," tuxedo vest, suspenders, tight black pants and black boots.
    

Famous Movie Lines About Love

Love is a topic frequently tackled in the arts, with films often including love-related plot lines into their scripts so they can achieve an emotional connection with an audience. Even movies that are not considered romances often include a romantic relationship in the film since love is such a prevalent and powerful part of many people's daily lives. Many famous lines about love originated in the movies.

"Jerry Maguire"

• "You complete me."
  "Jerry Maguire" is a 1996 film written and directed by Cameron Crowe that details the relationship between sports agent Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) and his assistant Dorothy Boyd (Renee Zellweger.) After a whirlwind romance between the two that starts after they both leave the sports management firm they work for, they get married but then face many difficulties and problems that threaten to break them up. After a brief separation, Jerry has an epiphany regarding how much he needs Dorothy in his life and finds her at her sister's house during a group therapy session. In front of the entire group, Jerry tells her and himself how much she means to him and then says the famous words "You complete me." This references back to earlier in the film when they witnessed a man sign those same words to his deaf girlfriend in a moment of romantic bliss.
  

"When Harry Met Sally"

• "I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."
  While "Jerry Maguire" tells the story of a romance and marriage over a brief period of time, "When Harry Met Sally" details a loving relationship that evolves after years of friendship. Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan play Harry and Sally respectively, a duo who meet in college and who couldn't be more different from each other. After a long drive from Chicago to New York with the two of them sharing a vehicle, they both irritate each other to the point where they plan on never seeing each other again. Circumstance brings them together over time and they become friends that see each other through their individual failures at romance. Harry realizes he is actually in love with Sally and says the line when trying to explain how important she is to him.
  
  "City of Angels"
  

  • "I would rather have had one breath of her hair, one kiss of her mouth, one touch of her hand, than eternity without it."
    "City of Angels" addresses the concept of love lasting beyond the grave by telling the story of an angel named Seth (Nicholas Cage) who voluntarily becomes mortal so he can have a romantic relationship with a surgeon named Maggie (Meg Ryan.) The movie addresses the hurdles that people must overcome for the chance of being together and how cruelly those chances can be taken away. Maggie is mortally wounded in a biking accident and Seth is left alone on Earth, expressing to a friend that he would do it all again for the brief time he had shared with her.
    

  "The Princess Bride"

  • "Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while."
    Love is often compared to a fairytale so it is fitting that fairytales exist that focus on love. "The Princess Bride" is a film based off the novel by William Goldman detailing a story told by a grandfather to his grandson. The story centers on a maiden named Buttercup and her trials and tribulations as she is kidnapped by pirates and then ultimately rescued by Westley, the love of her life who used to be a farmhand where she lived. She had believed him dead but then realized that he is her rescuer, his identity hidden under a mask. In that moment, he tells her death cannot keep them apart.
    

The History of Silent Movies

The silent movie era spanned approximately three decades, beginning in the 1890s and culminating in the late 1920s. During this time, silent films evolved from fledgling novelties into mainstay forms of art and entertainment.

How to Observe Black History Month

The month of February is officially designated as Black History Month by the U.S. Congress. What began as a one-week celebration of the contributions of African-Americans to U.S. History evolved into a month-long celebration to highlight the people and events of Black history in the U.S. and around the world. Here are some ways to celebrate Black History Month.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Find out more about the life of one Black American on each day of the month.
   • 2
     View video clips of important moments in the history of the Civil Rights movement (see link below).
   • 3
     Read Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech.
   • 4
     Learn as much as you can about the Civil Rights struggle (see link below).
   • 5
     Visit local museums and art galleries. Nearly all of them will focus on the contributions of Black artists, inventors, musicians and others during this month.
   • 6
     Go on a Web Treasure Hunt to find out more about Black History (see link below).
   • 7
     Check with local universities and colleges to find out about any special events, seminars and activities planned to commemorate Black History Month.
   • 8
     Read at least one book from the following list: Black Like Me (by John Griffin), Black Boy (Richard Wright), Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison), Native Son (Richard Wright), The Color Purple (Alice Walker), Their Eyes Were Watching God (Zora Neale Hurston).
   • 9
     Listen to music. From Scott Joplin to Tupac, Charley Pride to Alicia Keyes, Bob Marley to Beyonce, American music is full of Black influences. Rock, ragtime, rap, rhythm and blues, soul-all these genres of music owe an enormous debt to Black artists and musicians.

A Brief History Of Horror Movies

Horror movies has been around for almost as long as movies have been made. Before looking at the horror movie it may be best to look into horror in literature. Knowing this can help our understanding of horror films and where they come from.

Horror in literature left a legacy that helped to propel this genre into films. If there had not been such a legacy of literary works then we may not have the same movies we do now. The term horror was first coined in 1764 in a book by Horace Walpole's called The Castle of Otranto which was full of the supernatural. In the following centuries literary giants like Edgar Allan Poe championed this genre with great works like The Raven. Some of the great horror movies of today are based on old horror stories like Frankenstein and Dracula which were both written in the 1800's.
At the beginning of horror movie history these movies were often ones that had the supernatural in there. In the late 1890's short silent films was where these movies start. The Frenchman Georges Melies is thought to be the creator of the first horror film with his 1896 short silent Le Manior du diable. Around this time the Japanese also tried their hand at this genre with Bake Jizo and Shinin no Sosei.

The first full horror film was an adaptation of the hunchback of Notre-Dame. Many of these first horror films were created by German film makers as the early 1900's were the time of the German expressionist films. These films have influenced horror film makers for decades to Tim Burton. During the 1920's Hollywood started dabbling in the horror genre with Lon Chaney Sr. Becoming the first American horror star.
It was in the 1930's that the horror film was first popularized by Hollywood. Along with the classic Gothic films Frankenstein and Dracula there were also films made with a mix of Gothic horror and the supernatural. In 1941 The Wolf Man was an iconic werewolf movie created by Universal studios. This was not the first werewolf movie made but is known as the most influential. During this era other B pictures were created like the 1945 version of The Body Snatcher.
In the 1950's there had been many innovations in the technology used to make films. Additionally in this time the horror film was divided into two categories being Armageddon films and demonic films. During this time social ideas and fears were placed into movies but in such a way that it was not direct exploitation.

The 1960's were the time when many iconic movies came about. Hitchcock's movie The Birds was against a modern backdrop and was one of the first American Armageddon films. Perhaps one of the most influential films of this time was Night of the Living Dead. This movie brought zombies into the mainstream and it also moved these movies from the Gothic horror to what we know today.
The history of horror movies goes back to the beginning of movies. The long history shows how they changed from Gothic classics to what we know today.

Five Most Enthralling Horror Films of All-Time

Horror films have long been the favorite of many moviegoers due to the excitement and surprise on offer. The horror genre is pretty loose, but a key guideline is that a film creates panic and alarm for the audience. Horror movies play on the worst fears of the audience by taking something from everyday life and turning it into something scary. Most horror films have one key character that personifies evil in some way or has the ability to put the fear of God into others. Typical horror films include one of a ghost, vampire, or zombie that lives among the general population and causes as much havoc as possible. It may also be the case that violence is included in a horror movie in order to scare the audience further. Within the horror genre are many sub-genres, such as comedy horror, zombie horror, and supernatural horror. Because the vast majority of horror films include horrific scenes, most of these films receive a rating that forbids younger audience from watching. This may not be a bad thing because it is important that children are protected from seeing scary movies until their parents feel it is appropriate for them to do so. Listed below are five of the most enthralling horror films of all time.

"The Exorcist"

Based on a 1971 book of the same name, "The Exorcist" is thought of by many as the greatest horror film of all time. Directed by William Friedkin, this 1973 classic gets its inspiration from the 1949 exorcism case involving Roland Doe. The main premise of the film revolves around a young demon-possessed girl whose mother uses exorcism to get her true daughter back. The film was a critical success and earned ten Academy Award nominations. At the time, the film was ranked one of the highest-grossing films ever for any genre. "The Exorcist" was also the first horror movie to be nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

"Scream"

"Scream" is a typical slasher film that follows the fortunes of a group of teenage friends who are targeted by a mystery killer. Featuring young stars such as Drew Barrymore, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette, the film was widely considered a success and became a forbearer for slasher films of the future. Although the film was highly censored, it was able to reach a wide audience due to the inclusion of several mainstream actors and actresses. "Scream" was able to reach a female audience like no other horror film had done before. Since its release, "Scream" has become somewhat of a cult film due to its fanatical following. Many sequels have been spawned since, with the franchise now established as the benchmark for the horror genre.

"Godzilla"

A loose remake of the 1954 film of the same name, "Godzilla" is more of a science fiction horror movie. The plot revolves around a nuclear event in the South Pacific that causes an abnormally huge reptile to spring up. The monster makes its way to the North American continent and chooses to wreak terror on Manhattan. At the time of making the film, a trilogy was in the pipeline, but it never occurred. However, in 2010, Legendary Pictures picked up the rights to the franchise and planned a new film of the same name to be released in May 2014.

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"

"The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" is a remake of a 1974 slasher film of the same name. The 2003 film was directed by Marcus Nispel and produced by Michael Bay but was co-produced by Kim Henkel and Tobe Hooper, who also worked on the original film back in the 1970s. Despite many negative reviews, this film grossed over $100 million worldwide, considerably more than the $9.5 million budget that was allocated to the film. After this film, other two films followed: "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning" and "Texas Chainsaw 3D."