If you’re like me, trying to figure out what genre you’re writing can be a bit of a mystery (no pun intended). I often hear the terms terror and horror used interchangeably. While both are close relatives and seek to create emotional responses, they are in fact quite different.
Terror is a feeling of intense fear or dread, whereas Horror is defined as an overwhelming feeling caused by a scary, shocking, or revolting event. To truly understand the differences, let’s take a closer look at how the two are related and what sets them apart.
Terror
Terror is all about emotions like fear and dread. It’s an intellectual thing. It deals with what’s going on inside the character’s head as they anticipate what may be coming as they move deeper into a dangerous situation.
I like to think of it in terms of the Schrodinger’s Cat thought experiment. As your character approaches a potentially haunted house, they don’t know what they’re going to find when they open the door. Do evil spirits await them, or just dust and cobwebs? Is the scratching sound coming from upstairs a monster lurking in the attic, or a windblown branch scraping against a window. It’s all about building that heightened emotional state.
Some of the best examples come from Edgar Allen Poe. While stories like The Tell Tale Heart are often referred to as great works of horror, terror is the engine that drives them. The anticipation of the narrator’s heinous act, followed by the constant beating of the heart inside his head, drives the pace until the anxiety level reaches a breaking point.
Horror
If terror is an intellectual concept, then horror is the opposite. It’s about the gut reaction. It’s the no-thinking, fight-or-flight response. If terror is the anticipation of what’s behind the door, horror is opening it and seeing the monster on the other side, be it human or otherwise.
When I think horror, the first authors that pop into my head are people like Stephen King, Shirley Jackson, and Anne Rice. The blood, gore, and evil beings are placed front and center for all the world to see. While there are elements of terror as well, the overwhelming emotional driver is the visceral reaction the reader gets from what they see, rather than what they don’t see.
Blurred Lines
The truth is the line between horror and terror is a bit fuzzy. Most stories that fall into these genres have elements of both. It’s hard to imagine a shocking reveal and payoff in horror without the building fear level offered by terror. Likewise, what’s the point of fear and anxiety if it was all for naught in the end.
The key is to ask yourself what is the main emotion you’re shooting for, shock or fear? Is your story about the unseen dangers, or the blood spraying off the axe that just contacted skin and bone? The answers to those questions will point you down the right path.
Speaking of paths, here’s a dark little number to get you ready for Halloween. (I've included both the spoken and written versions below.)
https://youtu.be/qumfty4fruA
Shadow Path
By Eldred Bird
Within a forest dark and deep
Along a narrow path
Shivering I inch and creep
In fear of shadow’s wrath
Evil things await me there
With eyes as black as coal
They torture me without a care
And feed upon my soul
They hide ‘round darkened hedges
Neath stones they lay in wait
They gather under ledges
Where they contemplate my fate
Caring not as others pass
For me alone they linger
As I approach the demons mass
One points an icy finger
Springing from their hiding place
With fiery breath so fowl
Seeking now to slow my pace
They scratch the earth and growl
But I fear not their teeth that tear
Or claws that rip and shred
For the monsters I have come to fear
Live only in my head
Who are your favorite horror and terror authors? What stories do you like to read by flashlight on a dark and stormy night? Let us know in the comments below. Happy Halloween to everyone!
About Eldred
Eldred Bird writes contemporary fiction, short stories, and personal essays. He has spent a great deal of time exploring the deserts, forests, and deep canyons inside his home state of Arizona. His James McCarthy adventures, Killing Karma, Catching Karma, and Cold Karma, reflect this love of the Grand Canyon State even as his character solves mysteries amidst danger. Eldred explores the boundaries of short fiction in his stories, The Waking Room, Treble in Paradise: A Tale of Sax and Violins, and The Smell of Fear.
When he’s not writing, Eldred spends time cycling, hiking, and juggling (yes, juggling…bowling balls and 21-inch knives).
His passion for photography allows him to record his travels. Find him on Twitter or Facebook, or at his website.
by Kris Mazene author perk is the joy of sharing your writing with readers, and it can be extra-special to work with a younger audience in a school. But if you hold an author talk at a school, it’s important to set up expectations in advance to insure a successful event. Speaking to younger readers can be challenging if one isn’t prepared well enough. In a school setting, there are a few ways authors can make a positive impact, engage on a deeper level with students, and make a lasting impression that gets you invited back year after year.
Guest Speaking at a School
What reasons would you be invited to a school? Authors can get invited to talk to students for many reasons. Here are just a few.
Job connections for future writers
Students are in the business of figuring out what they want to do when they grow up. And it is helpful for young people to see adults doing the work they too may want to try. Sharing what it is like to be an author can inspire young readers to share their own stories some day.
Foster a love for story, reading, and writing for students
Teachers invite guest speakers who are experts in a field to share unique insights with their students. As an author you have an expertise in writing conventions, story telling, and other parts of running an author business. Find out what focus your teacher expects you to talk about and prepare a presentation that will help students appreciate stories.
Add depth to curriculum and standards-based learning
Teachers have specific expectations as to what they are to teach and you can add value to your visit by covering topics that relate to the work students are doing (and increase your chances of returning for another speaking opportunity.) Perhaps the students are studying plants and you have a story about a boy who grows a garden. See if part of that book could help foster interest in a seed growing lesson or other related topic the teacher may be teaching. The more connections the author can make to the work already happening in the classroom, the more connections to learning they can make.
Author Benefits for Guest Speaking at a School
Want to improve your author talks with young readers? Read on to find out how you can connect with the school and get the most from your presentations.
Students will learn from your presentation, but it can enhance your writing career too. Look over these ways working in a classroom can improve your writing career.
Working with students can inspire YOU, dear writer.
Their innocence and/or lack of inexperience can help a writer reconnect to that age and stage in life. It makes you more accessible to what life was like in that time and perhaps add to characters in your own novels.
Creating interest around reading and stories creates future readers.
This seems logical, and in the digital age students still consume a lot of written word. They may choose to buy your books, or request them from parents, teachers, and librarians. Students also grow up and may want to read your work later, based on the fact that you were a cool guest speaker that they got to hear once. It could be that they were always an avid reader, or the kid who never cracked open a book who was just happy to not have to take a math test, but the impact an author can make can last and influence future reading habits.
My Recent Author Talk with a Young Writers Club
In October, I presented to a Young Writers Club in Wisconsin. The teacher had me speak to his 5th grade class in the past and invited me back to speak to this club. The students meet on Tuesdays after school and have a range in age from 3rd to 8th grade students.
Due to being on the West Coast, I had to pre-record a message. In the video I made for these students, I addressed the questions they asked about me. I was able to have broad answers and made the backdrop for my talk a spooky, Halloween themed décor. I had fun with it and kept the presentation light.
Another aspect of this talk was my invitation to writers to make handwritten letters. I offered to hand write a response to each student who sent a letter. The teacher said he would facilitate this and send their letters to my mail box.
Here is a link to the video from that presentation. Consider making one for your next presentation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T1u42rL5wY
Advance Communication with Teacher
Teachers are incredibly busy people and most appreciate good advance planning. A month before your visit I recommend reaching out to the teacher and finding out details of your visit. Showing that you are asking in advance demonstrates that you are prepared and interested in the students. It also shows that your presentation will be valuable to the students and helpful to the teacher.
Questions to ask –
What is the topic of some of the stories you are currently reading?
What themes the students examining in your classes?
What other subjects and topics could you talk about that cover curriculum?
Would the teacher prefer a preset general talk about being an author or about the books they have written?
Should the focus be on writing as a profession or writing as a craft?
How much time will there be? (always over-plan but expect to have less time than allotted.)
Is there technology available if you plan to do a visual presentation such as power point, google slides, or short video clips on YouTube, for example?
Be aware of your kid audience’s needs
Attention spans
Students have varying attention spans at all ages, but there is a rule of thumb to consider. Check into what age group you will primarily speak to and plan to keep a talk to under the limit. Find out the age and multiply it by 2. This tends to be a good estimate for attention spans.
Engage the 5 senses
Add videos and other activities to break up the time and keep the students engaged throughout.
1. Think of using digital media to break up the activities.
Video clips of 30 seconds to 2 minutes can enhance a presentation. These activate different sensory parts of the brain and keep students engaged longer. Long videos will also lose their attention, so have a variety of things to choose from. If one activity isn’t working, you may want to shift into another one.
2. Ask about bringing in food.
Student allergies can limit what a presenter could share with a class. Food and snacks are usually a fun addition to any presentation but ask the teacher about special needs and school policies on food in classes first.
3. Offer manipulatives and other hands-on activities.
Perhaps your groups get seeds to plant. Or they work on coloring a bookmark. Or dress up and act out a scene. Using props helps engage students.
4. Bring Help.
One author I know uses a sock puppet named appropriately, Sock Puppet Tim. He always gets a smile and student attention. Try bringing in a prop that you can use while presenting. It can also take pressure off you as a speaker if you are shy or new to speaking in public.
Connect to current learning
Ignite imaginations
Bring the wow factor. Bring a variety of things you think will be ‘cool’ and let students explore your fun props. One doesn’t know which thing will resonate, but ultimately they will be impressed by your interesting career.
Be inclusive
Schools welcome students of all abilities, social strata, backgrounds, and cultures. Check your materials for wording and visuals that show a variety of cultures and peoples in a positive manner. Your presentation will be received well if it attempts to show students of all backgrounds that they are included and accepted. Talk to the teacher if you have more questions regarding how to structure your presentation to best suit your young audience.
Let kids lead and promote their writing skills
Writing prompts
Use writing prompts. Writing prompts are a good way engage students in writing. Ask the teacher for some or write a few that kids would relate to. Be sure that they connect to your book or work you are presenting.
Writing workshop
Hold a mini writing workshop. Pick aspects that work with the current or previous lessons and let students show off what they have learned. Add to their learning with a specific focus, adding adjectives, self-editing, offering feedback, or describing people or animals with details as examples.
Class reading circle
Have students engage in your work while reading. Here are some suggested methods.
Students read segments of your work.
If you have speaking characters, take volunteers to read parts and do a theater in the round.
Do a silent choral read. Students hold up a hand when they have an emotional response to a line or segment of what you are reading. The visual effect of this activity is amazing and worth a try.
Say One line. Students read from their own work. Try having them say one line from their work they used to open a story, paragraph, end a story, most descriptive, character action, etc.
Suggestions for your interactive time:
Do a pass-a-prop to ensure one speaker at a time.
Establish good listening expectations before starting.
Have students think through and round the circle a second time. This time having students mention something another student said that stood out to them.
Connect. Plan to follow up with the school
Ask the teacher the best way to connect with the class after the presentation. Be cautioned that reaching out to students is a delicate issue and schools and parents are protective of their children at any age.
Important considerations for student safety:
Think about how the connection would appear on a front page of a newspaper or newsfeed before approaching a student without a school staff person. If it could be interpreted in a negative light, it is not worth contacting the student -always talk to the teacher first if you are in doubt.
Avoid using personal phone numbers or email addresses with minors.
It is always best to let the teacher coordinate how and how often one should reach out to students. Also avoid connecting with students on any social media outside of the school parameters.
Use language that is appropriate for the age group...
and keep your writing career above the fray. Use words that will clearly convey what you mean to the age group you are speaking to. If you aren't sure about a wording or topic, it's probably best not to use it.
Use trigger alerts.
If you cover topics that could trigger any kind of adverse reaction, tell the students before proceeding. Ask the teacher if any student may find the topics too harsh and be willing to adjust accordingly.
Report anything you may be concerned about to the teacher.
Students may open up to a stranger, especially one that seems like an expert. But you are not going to be able to follow up with a serious situation. And there may be legal implications for anything you say to the student. Mandatory Reporting is an important consideration for student safety. Talk to the school staff if a child shares anything you are worried about. They are trained to handle sensitive situations and can connect a student with serious problems to services they may need.
After the presentation
Be willing to take questions.
Teachers may ask students to form questions before the presentation to spark interest. Q & A can go for a long time or result in crickets. Have a back up plan or activity in place.
Get Feedback.
Perhaps have a digital form to take their feedback. Google forms are free and easy to access. Schools a mostly used to this format.
Ask for old-fashioned snail mail.
In a writing club I connected with I gave the teacher my P.O. Box used for reader mail. The teacher plans to collect letters written at their meeting and send them together to the mailbox. I said I would respond with personal letters.
What ways have you engaged your audience during an Author Presentation? What worked well? What went horribly wrong that you could share with our readers? Let's grow together and help create a new generation of readers.
About Kris
Kris Maze is an author, writing coach, and teacher. She has worked in education for many years and writes for various publications including Practical Advice for Teachers of Heritage Learners of Spanish and the award-winning blog Writers in the Stormwhere she is also a host. You can find her horror stories and young adult writing at her website. Keep up with future projects and events by subscribing to her newsletter.
A recovering grammarian and hopeless wanderer, Kris enjoys reading, playing violin and piano, and spending time outdoors.
The life of a writer can be unpredictable. Family, medical issues, housing issues, and many more personal-life interruptions can disrupt the flow of words. Many of you may not have options and write when and where you can write. For example, right now I’m writing in the waiting room of a car maintenance shop. The environment here is nice, but definitely full of distractions.
When we can choose our writing environment, it makes sense to choose a space that optimizes how we write. Keep in mind that not all of us will respond in the same way to the same physical space. In the list of elements I offer below, choose the ones that speak to you, that feel more creative to you.
Brain Science
The theory that people are right-brained (creative, intuitive) or left-brained (logical or linear) or both is a popular myth unsupported by neuroscience. The brain’s right and left hemispheres are not separate organs. While the right-hemisphere performs more complex functions, and the left hemisphere controls most (if not all) physiological functions, the two hemispheres work together.
While the right- versus left-brain theory is a myth, it’s an easy way to understand how people think. At the extremes, a few of us are nearly 100% logical-thinkers and a few are almost 100% creative-thinkers. A few of us fall into the moves fluidly between the two. In a reality, we are all a mix of the two. Many of us continue to perceive one or the other thinking style is our primary way of perceiving the world. We’re not wrong, but it’s more complex than which hemisphere controls what. Still, we can use brain science and psychology to help us set up a work environment that supports our creativity.
Space
Environmental psychology is the study of how our physical surroundings influence us. One of the newer sciences, it came into existence in the 1970s.
Our mental space stands in direct proportion to our perception of physical space.
In other words, our physical space affects us both as it actually exists and our intuitive interpretation of that space. The more we perceive a space to be open, the more we are open to new ideas.
Height
The height of your ceilings affects your perception of openness. Tall, vaulted ceilings give us a sense of openness. Things that draw our eye to the height like pendant lamps or images enhance our sense of openness.
Lateral Space
Most of us cannot do anything about the height of our ceilings. We can increase our perception of space by focusing on lateral space.
Artwork of landscapes or faraway places can give us a sense of space. A window or a doorway with a view of the outside makes a space “feel” open. Furniture placement and a lack of clutter also affect our interpretation of the lateral space that surrounds us.
Some will say that they do better in cluttered spaces. That may be true for specific individuals. Maybe you would feel more creative with an uncluttered and more open environment. Try it. If it doesn’t work, clutter is easy to accumulate.
Involve Your Senses
Our environment is more than a window, doors, and a desk. Sound, sight, smell, and touch can also create an environment that invites creativity.
Sound
Sound is all around us. Certain sounds can help us concentrate or will trigger an emotional response. Know how you respond to silence, white noise, or music. When designing your workspace, consider what the ambient noise level is in your space. Use sound to give you optimal creative energy.
Sight
You may be shy of using sight because of cautions about overusing it in your writing. But there are many aspects to sight: light, color, objects, even textures. Consider all aspects of sight to create your most creative workspace.
Light
You know about overhead, task, and adjustable lights. Most of you have heard of the blue light emitted by computer screens and how it is detrimental to your sleep cycle. Many of you have blue light glasses to relieve eyestrain from hours of staring into computer screens. Most of you understand that the proper level of light in our workspace is crucial. You make certain you have plenty of light in your space. All good, right?
Intensity
In 2013, psychologists Anna Steidel and Lioba Werth released the results of six studies done to evaluate the effects of light intensity on creative insight. Their findings may surprise you.
“… four studies demonstrated that both priming darkness and actual dim illumination improved creative performance… two additional studies tested the underlying mechanism and showed that darkness elicits a feeling of being free from constraints and triggers a risky, explorative processing style.”
The effects of darkness and dim illumination disappeared “when using a more informal indirect light instead of direct light or when evaluating ideas instead of generating creative ideas.”
The message for writers? Design your workspace with lighting that allows you to adjust the light brighter or dimmer according to your day’s work.
Color
Research has determined that color affects our both body and brain in visual and nonvisual ways. Morning light and blue-green light stimulate the release of cortisol, which wakes us up. Late evening light, which has less blue-green color, releases melatonin, which makes us sleepy.
So what color should creative people use? There are many articles online that claim blue or blue-green are colors for creativity. I found scant evidence to support that. A 2019 article on C&P Business Media explains which colors create what emotions and physical responses. That article suggests we should select our primary color based on what our primary function is. If you write thrillers, you might want a color (red) that increases your heart rate and encourages physical activity. The author of that article claims that blue is an intellectual color and is best used in a space to promote logic and communication and focus.
My suggestion? Choose a color that makes you feel safe, comfortable, and eager to work.
Touch
Another thing you “know” about your work environment is to set up your chair and workspace ergonomically. Using proper ergonomics is critical to your health. Better health means you can be more creative, longer. Need a refresher on ergonomics check out my December 2021 article, “35 Tips to a Healthier Writer You in 2022.”
Go beyond ergonomics. Consider physical touch. What textures does your workspace offer? Does it matter?
In May 2022, Claire Heeryung Kim, Kelly B. Herd, and H. Shanker Krishnan published “The creative touch: the influence of haptics on creativity” Their study focused on the “creation of new product ideas” such as a new Christmas ornament. They found that “participants who actively touch objects during the ideation process experience more positive moods than those who do not touch the objects and that this increase in mood leads to more creative new product ideas.” (Haptics is a science concerned with the sense of touch )
How does this apply to writers? The surface of your desk is (most likely) smooth. Computer keyboards offer a little in the feel of pressing the keys. Think about varying textures of other objects in your office from coarse to fine. Objects you can handle, you can meditate on, you can sense through your fingertips. Especially consider textures you might describe in your fiction.
Smell
There is limited research on how scents influence creativity. Yet, scent is a powerful tool in eliciting memories of past events and emotions. For me, scent also can be a powerful trigger of creative ideas. Scented candles, essential oils, aromatic herbs and flowers are all tools I use when writing. If you’ve never used scent to enhance your creativity, take a day to experiment. Gather at least three distinct scents. Sniff them one at a time. Write about whatever memory or thought that scent triggers for the next ten to fifteen minutes.
Your Workspace Design
All of this goes to say, be deliberate. Think about how your environment helps or hinders your creativity. Experiment. Try one thing at a time. Choose or create the space that increases your creativity.
Lynette lives in the land of Oz. When she’s not procrastinating by avoiding housework and playing with her dogs, she’s blogging or writing or researching her next book. You can find Lynette online on her website, Facebook, or on Twitter @LynetteMBurrows.
Image Credits
Top: Ernest Hemingway in London at Dorchester Hotel 1944, National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Second Image: Mark Twain at his desk, marktwainhouse.blogspot.com, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Third Image: Ray Bradbury and his wife, Maggie, in his office., Los Angeles Times, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
