Do horror writers need to act like buffoons?

Maybe he just likes Friday the 13ths?

I dunno. Unless most of his Facebook statuses also sound like pandering, I'm not sure if one status makes him that. I've never really heard of any other horror writers doing this (but I don't follow a lot of them, so I wouldn't really know, I guess.)

Friday the 13th is one of those days where it's OK to like spooky things. It's OK to be delighted by horrible things, and to talk about superstitions, and it's like a small taste of Halloween in the middle of the year. I'd be sad if I slept through it, too. And that's not pandering to my audience or what have you - I don't have an audience. I like horror. Love it, really. But most days of the year, it's a dirty little secret, like show tunes or princess dresses, or romance novels, I think they have a similar stigma in certain populations, too.

I think trying to reach out to other people is a writer thing, no matter the genre. And trying to make what you do more palatable to the masses (or stubbornly rejecting social norms and saying to heck with palatable, I'm going to be like jagged flaming glass laced with lemon juice), well, that's a human thing, not a horror writer thing.

As a very proud baffoon I'd just like to say that you can't judge a group of people on one or a few person's/people's actions. If you don't like what they say, delete them and don't waste your time dwelling on what they say.

A horror writer I know recently posted to Facebook that he feels sad that he slept through Friday the 13th (yeah, last Friday); as if the people following his blog were bound to be disappointed by this. I have no idea why he felt he had the need to play to his audience by saying this. It's something that I seem to see horror writers doing a lot; the supposed attempt to "smooth" out the rough edges of a genre that is meant to be disquieting. I don't see sci fi or fantasy writers trying the same thing; they don't play up the supposedly humorous aspects of their genres in order to pander to their audiences. Why is this?

Click to expand...

Here's a thought - maybe he was joking!!!

Another Editor said:

A horror writer I know recently posted to Facebook that he feels sad that he slept through Friday the 13th (yeah, last Friday); as if the people following his blog were bound to be disappointed by this. I have no idea why he felt he had the need to play to his audience by saying this. It's something that I seem to see horror writers doing a lot; the supposed attempt to "smooth" out the rough edges of a genre that is meant to be disquieting. I don't see sci fi or fantasy writers trying the same thing; they don't play up the supposedly humorous aspects of their genres in order to pander to their audiences. Why is this?

Click to expand...

I think you may be making a mountain out of a molehill.

Horror and humor actually go hand-in-hand together. It is a fact of human psychology that people faced by horrible circumstances will often make a joke in an attempt to alleviate their own stress at the time. Throwing in a stupid pun, a funny comment, an attempt at humor, or having a character do something hilarious is the horror writer's way of breaking tension in a moment of suspense, thus extending the reader's roller coaster ride in the story.

Horror and humor are old, old friends artistically. I think it may be true that the FBer was trying to joke around and it may be that the OP here is just taking things way too seriously. In all honestly, lighten up. I can cite you over 150 professional authors who use humor in their science fiction, fantasy, and horror writing, and in their FaceBook posts. Just as an example, Glen Cook, who has written the serious-as-a-heart attack Black Company series sprinkles the occasional piece of humor throughout those novels. In addition, his Garrett, PI series is hilarious at points while being both fantasy and noir detective novels. David Gerrold sprinkles humor in almost every chapter of his The War Against The Chtorr science fiction novels. Larry Niven's Ringworld is full of humorous comments made by characters at the most inappropriate times. Etc., etc., etc.

Horror and humor are not exclusive to horror novelists. It can be found virtually everywhere in writing if you take the time to look and don't take everything so seriously. Writing and reading should be fun activities as well as work (well, writing anyway).

Way to Respect Your Fellow Writer, Another Editor.

^Yeah, that. -__-

Friday the 13th is awesome. And a very lucky, auspicious day depending on one's point of view. Don't go hatin'.

My main takeaway from this thread (and I must say I'm disappointed by it) is that I'm supposed to keep my love of showtoons a dirty little secret :'(

Why do you care what they post on their wall? If you don't like what they post, remove them from your friends list.

pebkac, Show tunes? Really? Well, there's a lot of humor to be found in show tunes. Usually when your office mates hear you humming them subconsciously while you're in the supply closet. Or your drinking buddies realize you're humming one while you're all driving between bars in the same car.

But there's nothing inherently wrong with enjoying show tunes. I'm sure your friends and cowrkers will find some source of great amusement about your enjoyment and who are we to judge? You go right ahead and hum along with the rest of the freaks here. Oh! I hear Haggis really likes it when folks walk down the streets in the Western thread past the Bent Nail Saloon humming show tunes. Yeah, they'll show you a really good time there, I'm sure. Tell 'em Boston sent ya'.

Hehe, I have a Singin' in the Rain poster hanging in my office, so I'm just relieved I don't have to try to shove that genie back in the bottle!

Alex DeLarge ruined that song for me. But that almost proves the point, doesn't it? Horror and humor. Good buddies, they are.

What????




food helps me think.

Ooo, das a good one, Haggis.

Hey have you heard that song SundayMorning by Buffoon 5

Hahaha, Haggis, that is great!

Another Editor said:

A horror writer I know recently posted to Facebook that he feels sad that he slept through Friday the 13th (yeah, last Friday); as if the people following his blog were bound to be disappointed by this. I have no idea why he felt he had the need to play to his audience by saying this. It's something that I seem to see horror writers doing a lot; the supposed attempt to "smooth" out the rough edges of a genre that is meant to be disquieting. I don't see sci fi or fantasy writers trying the same thing; they don't play up the supposedly humorous aspects of their genres in order to pander to their audiences. Why is this?

Click to expand...

I have no idea why you care so much. But if you think sci fi writers and fantasy writers don't joke about their thing too, then I think you're wrong.

So, here's the thing, Another Editor. You come to a place where horror writers gather. You accuse us (collectively) of pandering to our audience and call us buffoons--all based on the actions of one person you know. You get a bunch of responses, but you don't return to the thread to answer any of them. I'd say your behavior here is bordering on trollish.

We're done here.