Halloween, the deliciously wicked time of year when all thoughts turn to horror. Favorite reruns of beloved horror movies and new gruesome novelties like the confectionery butcher knives I just bought today build the season’s celebration of fear slowly. Add in some fresh Walking Dead and Supernatural episodes for costume inspiration, the large pumpkins that wait to be carved, and the blackest night that even now is peeping in the windows, asking me to let it inside. I’m a horror author, so this is my season of glory to promo my newest horror and suspense work.
Instead, I’ve been drawing the curtains. What happened? Well, I got a little too close to the actual darkness.
I enjoyed being scared my whole life, devouring horror books and films from the age of 9, when I met Mr. King via the movie Salem’s Lot and his newest book, Pet Sematary. I was hooked instantly, reading all of his books to date and then moving onto vampires, ghosts, shifters, and anything scary I could watch or read. When I began writing, I started with short horror, placing my stories as fast as possible, to build my credentials. I based my creations on my frequent nightmares, which had grown over the years to be pretty terrifying. And everything was great for a few years…until I looked into the darkness and found something looking back.
Think what you will. Not everyone believes in true evil, or ghosts. But I was visited by both at my lake cabin for several summers. I endured nightmare after nightmare, until it got to the point I could not stay there alone, and was no longer sure of what I was dreaming versus experiencing for real in the waking world. You can read of the actual events at http://foxghosttales.blogspot.com/, under 2013 and 2014, including the interview with the medium, Alonnie M., that I called in to try to help. After a run in with the specter herself, she performed a blessing/cleansing at my family’s cabin the very next morning.
And now? Happily, whatever haunted the lake house seems to be gone. I enjoyed a wonderful summer there with friends and family, with no nightmares myself. Yet two of my friends did report nightmares, both of whom slept in the bedroom where the initial trouble began. This leads me to believe that while I have severed my own spiritual conduit, that evil spirit is still there. I have been careful to stay away from writing horror, letting my computer’s folder of half finished flash fiction gather e-dust. I watch scary movies only if accompanied, never alone.
Enjoy the season, but be careful. And if you’re going to read some horror to celebrate the season, try an audiobook. It’s never good to be alone in the dark.
From the murky depths of a summer lake to the echoing halls of an insane asylum, evils both supernatural and mortal lie in wait for potential victims. Those innocent might escape by a hair's breadth, if they are lucky. Then again, they might not.
Just Shadows is a collection of disquieting stories; some horror, others suspense, ranging from classic haunted houses to murder to the apocalypse, and everything in between. Root for the victim or villain, it's up to you. Justice is blind, and sometimes the sword falls where you'd least expect.
The shadows are waiting for you. Dare you step into the darkness and be judged?
What a great post, creepy but so interesting. I'm glad everything worked out! Just Shadows sounds excellent! Happy Halloween everyone!
I enjoyed this post. Tara, did you stop writing horror while at the cabin, or have you stopped writing horror altogether? I would not go alone there, either. I think you were perfectly reasonable in your need to have someone with you. Thank you so much for sharing with us.