We all have psychic abilities, but something inside convinces us it’s safer to say it’s only ‘imagination’. I’ve seen the flicker of movement from the corner of my eye when nothing is there. I know it’s silly to worry about an open closet door or to check under the bed. I’m afraid to walk across a cemetery in the dark.
Is this what makes a story scary? I’m not sure I know. I know what frightens me, but it probably isn’t the same for others.
I use my fear to make my story real for the reader. That
shaky feeling in the middle of the night when I’m not sure what woke me can be
the same fear my heroine feels. Try to drag me to the edge of a cliff and I’ll
fight every inch of the way.
Have I seen ghosts? Depends what you mean. As in a light floating in the dark or a dark silhouette where no person exists? Yes, I’ve seen both and been frightened.
Does that show in my books?
I’ve been told that it does.
Here’s an excerpt from Ancient Awakening:
Legend gave him many names, but the wide halls of his mountain
retreat no longer echoed with countless worshipers. He could have ruled the
world had his ambition not died with the passage of time. The endless whispers
were from the cold winds and the few praying priests. He didn’t care that he
couldn’t remember his real name or birthplace.
For an eon he’d regretted the loss of softer emotions. Love had
been the first feeling to die, along with the woman who had insisted he would
never harm her. He couldn’t recall her features just the merry tinkle of her
laughter and the bright smile she had greeted him with every morning. He licked
his lips. She’d tasted sweet.
Fierce need flared in his gut and he sniffed the air. Outside
his chamber a single acolyte in long brown robes waited to escort him. His mouth
curved with a mirthless smile. The silent servants had ignited the flickering
wall torches. Shadows jumped and shivered in the drafty halls like nervous
virgins.
Visit my website at http://www.barbaraedwards.net for more.
I’ll be at Write Angles Conference 2011 on Oct 22, 2011
By writers, for writers — in our
26th year in Western Massachusetts Mount Holyoke, East Hadley MA
PANEL SESSION II – 11:15 am to
12:30 pm (Choose one)
Exploring the Avenues and
Lanes of Sci-Fi/Fantasy (Andreola Room)
Moderator: Tanya Shersnow
Panelists: Holly Black, Corrina Lawson, Barbara Edwards
This panel will explore the sub-genres within this ever expanding genre, giving
attendees a sense of what’s new in 2011, and offer advice and inspiration about
associations and publishers within this genre.
Author Web: http://barbaraedwards.net
Facebook: http://facebook.com/BarbaraEdwards
Ancient Blood http://on.fb.me/naHRY5
Twitter: http://twitter.com/barb_ed
Authors Den: http://authorsden.com/barbaraedwards
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003F6ZK1A
Buy link http://tinyurl.com/3f627vh
Barbara Edwards Comments 
You and I are similar in our way of writing. I also use my fear, love and feelings in my stories. But many many times I also do the opposite; I live the story. Therefore there is no sure boundries between me and the charachters´ I create. What is real and what is fanthasy? Is there any difference? You and I are sharing the same mind, my friend 🙂
Thanks for letting me read your post.
Maggie
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