Writing from Fear
I detest being scared. For that reason, I avoid scary movies. Seriously, I’m probably a little psychotic because I’ll be thinking about scary scenes and frightening situations for years afterward.
And yet, I am seduced by the thought of seeing one particular frightening film.
I remember Poltergeist, The Exorcist, Nightmare on Elm Street, Salem’s Lot, Hitcher, Tales from the Crypt (the movie), and others I got suckered or trapped into watching. I can still remember some scenes in graphic detail. I learned how to suppress those memories and thoughts quickly in order to prevent nightmares. Those movies were every bit as frightening to me as a John Saul novel or tales of evil paranormal beings. I remember them so well that I can feel my muscles tense just writing about them.
For that reason, I don’t want to see this movie. Well, most of me doesn’t. The writer part of me does. That part has read the articles and listened to the reviews: low budget, no special effects, characters that are completely ordinary, viral word of mouth, and a Steven Spielberg endorsement.
I’m curious because I want to know if the techniques the director used to build suspense are techniques I can use in written form. I want to learn how he did it, how it worked, and why it worked so well.
Then, a few months from now when the nightmares fade, I want to try those techniques myself. I will write from fear and suspense. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?
