Welcome everyone! It’s Writer’s Quote Wednesday! I’m a huge fan of Horror, so instead of having one quote today I’ve decided to post several quotes from some of my favorite writers in this genre. I hope you enjoy. 😀
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I grew up reading Stephen King novels. He’s still one of my favorite authors. It started one day when an older cousin had finished reading one of Stephen King’s books. She put it down beside her and called her friends and proceeded to gush about how great it was on the phone. I became curious about it, because she seemed so excited.
I picked up the book and turned it in my hand gazing at the front and back covers. My cousin quickly took it from me and told me that I was too young to read it. Well, I rolled my ten-year-old eyes dramatically and that was it, from that moment on, all I wanted was to read that book.
Later on, I managed to sneak the book out of my aunt’s house and take it home with me. I had to hide it from my parents, because I knew they would never allow me to read a ‘Horror’ novel. I read the book from cover to cover in record speed––I couldn’t put it down.
Did it scare me? YES! Of course it did, but more than that, it taught me to have courage and to not be afraid to feel certain feelings. Horror books helped me confront the scary things of childhood, because––don’t fool yourself parents––childhood is frightening. Kids are so vulnerable and powerless in a world full of bad things. Horror provides a place in which children can move with their fears in a safe way that can teach them how to survive monsters and be powerful, too. Stephen King scared me happy!
When I returned the book to my cousin she didn’t even know it was missing. I told her I had read it and enjoyed it. She was surprised but let me borrow a couple more Stephen King books. That’s how I became a Stephen King and Horror fan.
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“The charm of horror only tempts the strong”
― Jean Lorrain
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“Alone. Yes, that’s the key word, the most awful word in the English tongue. Murder doesn’t hold a candle to it and hell is only a poor synonym.”
― Stephen King
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“Which is the true nightmare, the horrific dream that you have in your sleep or the dissatisfied reality that awaits you when you awake?”
― Justin Alcala
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“There is something at work in my soul, which I do not understand.”
― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
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“Horror fiction shows us that the control we believe we have is purely illusory, and that every moment we teeter on chaos and oblivion.”
― Clive Barker
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“I do know that for the sympathy of one living being, I would make peace with all. I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other.”
― Mary Shelley, Frankenstein
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“Read. Read. Read. Just don’t read one type of book. Read different books by various authors so that you develop different style.”
― R.L. Stine
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“You know how sometimes you tell yourself that you have a choice, but really you don’t have a choice? Just because there are alternatives doesn’t mean they apply to you.”
― Rick Yancey, The 5th Wave
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“Here is a list of terrible things,
The jaws of sharks, a vultures wings
The rabid bite of the dogs of war,
The voice of one who went before,
But most of all the mirror’s gaze,
Which counts us out our numbered days.”
― Clive Barker, Days of Magic, Nights of War
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“We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.”
― Stephen King
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5 Reasons Horror in Children’s Literature Is a Good Thing
10 Novels That Are Scarier Than Most Horror Movies
Required Reading: 30 of the Best Horror Books
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Colleen Chesebro is a writer, poet, and book reviewer. She hosts an inspiring event every Wednesday on her blog, Silver Threading, called Writer’s Quote Wednesday. Anyone can participate by choosing a quote by a favorite writer and posting it on your blog. Check out her weekly wrap-up every Tuesday and be inspired by all the quotes.
Ronovan, from Ronovan Writes and Colleen have joined forces! He has been linking his #BeWoW blog share (Be Wonderful on Wednesday) now to include: Be Writing on Wednesday. If you would like to combine both posts feel free to do so and link them to Colleen’s post. She will make sure and add you to the quote wrap-up she does each Tuesday. Please make sure and check out Ron’s blog for more writing inspiration and motivation!
Vashti! You’ve outdone yourself! What a fabulous post filled with all these quotes. I love horror novels too, but the most psychological ones are the best. The blood and gore just make me ill! This was just wonderful! ❤
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There are different types of horror novels, and you’re right, some can be gross just for the sake of being gross. I don’t like those either. I love a good, well thought out story that happens to be scary and if there’s an element of psychological thriller involved even better. I’m so happy you enjoyed the post. 😀 xx
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Loved it Vashti! Really cool! ❤️
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A wonderful story about an your introduction to Stephen King and some great quotes … Whilst horror is not my favourite genre I do enjoy Stephen King. 😁
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Ha, ha! He has a way of snatching people that are not into horror and bringing them to the dark side. 😉 xx
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I love horror and I remember watching old horror movies when I was a child (they did scare me but that didn’t stop me.)
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I loved watching scary movies as a child too. I used to curl up on the sofa with a blanket, and when a really intense scene would come on I’d put the blanket over my head instead of covering my eyes. Ha, ha. 😀 xx
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Great quotes… and now I need to add ANOTHER bunch of books to my reading list!
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Ha, ha. Don’t worry there’s a few I need to add to my reading list too. I can’t wait to read some of those books they look great. 🙂
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Great post! I agree that a good, clever horror book won’t do any harm to a child. Thank you for the quotes too! 🙂
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I’m happy you agree. You’re welcome and thank you for reading. 🙂
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WOW! Vashti, I love all these quotes and what a childhood story. This is one of your better posts, in my opinion.
When you tell a child no about anything, that’s the thing they’ll strive to do most (like reading that book). And it’s probably a good thing you did.
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Hi Sunni! Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. That’s right, sometimes you have to use reverse psychology on children. Yes, it is a very good thing I read that book. 😉
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Wonderful personal introduction to these interesting quotes. I loved the second quote by Clive Barker, “Here’s a list of terrible things…”
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Hi Olga! Thank you, I’m happy you enjoyed that. That’s one of my favorite Clive Barker quotes. 🙂
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It certainly is thought provoking.
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I love revealing posts like this that make the writer more a person than words on paper. Real depth to this Vashti. You got me thinking about allowing children to read horror. I probably would have shied away from allowing it but have definitely reconsidered, and with five young avid readers in my house, it’s something that’s bound to arise in the future. Thanks for shining a light with your own words and some pretty great quotes.
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That’s great Melissa! Of course there are different types of horror books and you would have to choose a book that suits the readers’ age and sensitivity. I grew up reading horror novels and learned quickly which ones I enjoyed and which ones I didn’t. I grew up in NYC in a very sheltered home. Reading horror novels made me feel brave and helped me confront my fears with courage and confidence. I’m happy I was able to make you consider allowing your kids to read horror. Maybe you can start by reading them a horror story around a Bon fire. I used to love that and making s’mores too.😘
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Awesome idea Vashti. We are planning a camping trip in May and that would be perfect. I will have to research. My youngest is 5, then 7,8,10, and 12 years old. Don’t want anything too frightening! 😉
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I never really got into horror though my mother seemed to have. I heard say more than once about Stephen King “thank goodness that boy found writing as a way to express himself, so he can put that stuff on paper instead of in practice..”. That alone scared me:) You made a good point about kids using this genre as a way to cope with some of the harshness of childhood. A good write Vashti.
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Hi Pat! What your mom said about Stephen King is hilarious! Actually, Stephen King is a very normal person. He’s been married over 30 years and has three kids. He was born and raised in Maine and he still lives there. There’s a huge misconception about horror writers. If a person writes horror they must have deep psychological issues, be weird or be ‘closet psychos’. This isn’t true––I promise. Our imagination and creativity is on the dark side but it doesn’t mean we’re darkly. Thank you for getting that. Check out this article I wrote about judging a writer by his/her genre. 😉 http://wp.me/p3eYyj-JY
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My mom is…my mom,lol! This was a good read…and I will check out that link:)
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Moms . . . 😉 Thank you!
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What an amazing collection of quotes. I have to date avoided horror and always close my eyes when the gruesome scary stuff comes up in movies. I have always wondered why some people love horror –your story and the quotes make so much sense. For some, everyday or ‘quiet’ horrors can be terrifying and worse than fiction. Anyway, I ‘ve sent your post to my email–maybe I ‘ll explore 😳😬
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Yay! Thank you Janice and let me know what you decide. 😀 xx
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Great quotes!
I think at 10 I was reading Judy Blume and Goosebumps, bravo to you for reading Mr. King’s work at 10. I don’t know if I would have been able to sleep at night.
Thanks for sharing your story and quotes with us!
XOXO
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Goosebumps were good too. You’re very welcome, it’s always a pleasure and thanks for stopping by. Have a great week! 😀 xx
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Brilliant quotes, my mum is a huge of Stephen King too!
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Thank you Chantelle! Your mom has good taste. 😉
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Great quotes Vashti. Until recently I’ve never read horror and to my surprise I kind of like it! Must read some more….
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You know, a lot of people I know have told me the same. They were afraid to try horror novels but then they did and now they love it. A cousin of mine only read romances until I convinced her to read ‘Misery’ by Stephen King. She’s a huge fan now. 😉
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Great collection you have here!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
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Hi Jess! I’m glad you enjoyed the quotes. 😀 xx
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Vashti – this is such perfect and creative with great and fresh concept…wow
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Thank you, Mihran! Nice to hear from you. 🙂
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