scareuary

[scareuary]

MONSTER DESIGN 101

In which we learn the golden rule for designing horror monsters.

Tried to keep it shorter this time; it's only 15 mins! Also, there's this annoying background sound that I realized too late was coming from my mic; it's not as big of a deal if you listen on speaker instead of using headphones. One day I'll re-record it.

SCAREUARY 2025 - M-M-MONSTER!

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Writing Question #24

Human-as-monster is a common element in horror. If you were to design a human character who is a monster, what would your design feature? What makes a human a monster?

SCAREUARY 2025 - M-M-MONSTER!

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Writing Question #23

What's your favourite monster from horror movies or books? Why do you like it? What's your least favourite monster?

SCAREUARY 2025 - M-M-MONSTER!

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Writing Question #21

Which do you prefer in horror: the mindless monster or the villain with a plan? Why?

SCAREUARY 2025 - M-M-MONSTER!

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Writing Question #22

In your opinion, which physical features in a horror monster makes for the most frightening visuals, and why? What's least scary?

SCAREUARY 2025 - M-M-MONSTER!

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Writing Question #21

Which do you prefer in horror: the mindless monster or the villain with a plan? Why?

SCAREUARY 2025 - M-M-MONSTER!

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THE RULES OF THE LABYRINTH

I made it just in time!! We're ending this week's theme with a short episode on Rules of the Labyrinth - in other words, what you can consider when creating the rules by which your maze operates.

If that sounds interesting to you, please give it a listen ^^

SCAREUARY 2025 - THE MAZE

If you're not finding time to participate in Scareuary this year, you can also sign up to my author newsletter to get a PDF round-up of all of the activities at end of month so that you can do them at your own pace later on.

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Just to note that the original second podcast episode, which was going to be about temporal loops and psychological mazes, has been replaced with another episode called Rules of the Labyrinth, where we discuss general rules of the maze in your horror story.

The good news is that it touches upon some of the ideas that the originally scheduled podcast episode was going to touch upon, and so hopefully you'll still be getting some of that too.

The Maze - Scareuary 2025

Treacherous twists and turns, dubious realities, and the relentless, undeniable fate of meeting one's doom... Let's talk about how we can design the perfect maze for your horror story.

THE MAZE SCHEDULE

February 16: The Concept of Labyrinth in Horror In which we talk about what the concept of the labyrinth means in horror. What does it stand for? Why do we use it? How is it usually manifested in horror literature?

February 17: Endless Mazes and Labyrinth of Mind In which we discuss the ways in which temporal loops can be understood as labyrinth, and how labyrinth can also be applied to the mind. Replaced with: Rules of the Labyrinth

February 21: Story Share Did you write a little something with the theme of the maze? Share it! Why not even give a little reading of it? And why not go even farther: Tell us about how you applied the element of the maze, and why.

This month, I want to give adequate time to feature each theme/event. That's why I've set date ranges. However, that does not mean that you have to do them at the time I will be featuring them.

In other words, even though I've scheduled some fun stuff for The Maze from FEBRUARY 15th -> FEBRUARY 21st, you can take the whole month to do the challenge or decide to do it later on in the month.

Not quite sure how to proceed? Send in an ask!

I will try to compile all Qs into a FAQ post for convenience for next year's Scareuary.

Want to be tagged on posts? Let me know!

I'll set up a tag list so you'll never miss any posts ^^ And remember! Use the #scareuary or #scareuary2025 tag so everyone can find your stuff!

Join my author newsletter to get a round-up of all Scareuary 2025 at the end of this month, if you didn't have the time to participate during February and still want to do some horror writing ^^

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THE CONCEPT OF LABYRINTH IN HORROR

I made it!! It's the last day of The Maze, and I've got at least one of its bonus podcast episodes up. Feeling powerful. The next one will be coming right after this one.

If you're interested in learning about the concept of the labyrinth or the maze in horror storytelling, please take a moment to check out this podcast episode. It's a very brief overview that I'm sure doesn't cover everything there is to say about this theme, but I hope it touches upon some of the important elements.

SCAREUARY 2025 - THE MAZE

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Writing Question #20

The labyrinth is also a prison for the characters caught in it. In this case, they're being punished for something, even on a metaphorical level.

What is your character being punished for? Why?

SCAREUARY 2025 - THE MAZE

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Writing Question #19

Mazes can also hide monsters. Like the Minotaur, perhaps the most popular of all examples of this - the monster himself being a literal representation of transgression that is being kept hidden from the world.

What kind of monster would you hide in your labyrinth, and why?

SCAREUARY 2025 - THE MAZE

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Writing Question #18

Consider the notion of time within the labyrinth. More specifically, consider how time becomes insignificant within the maze - the past, present, and future can all contract into one, and the passage of time goes by unnoticed.

Why is this such a critical component of labyrinth in horror? How does this help you create the horror mood and the world of your horror story?

SCAREUARY 2025 - THE MAZE

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Writing Question #17

Mazes in literature can also represent critical thinking and thought processes in general. Why is this so popular in horror?

SCAREUARY 2025 - THE MAZE

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Writing Question #16

Mazes have many characteristics/dimensions: They are confusing, inescapable, challenging, confining, etc. Which of these are you most interested in exploring and why?

SCAREUARY 2025 - THE MAZE

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Writing Question #15

What are some ways in which we can design settings that function as mazes in our horror stories?

SCAREUARY 2025 - THE MAZE

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Coppe's Webbe 2025 - 'Hook' #1

This is a little snippet I wrote based on this premise that I brainstormed a few days ago:

[a catchy advertisement for a new and highly effective anti-aging treatment hooks people in, but when they go to get the treatment, only horrors await…] CW - blood.

It's still pretty bare-bones, because I wrote it quickly in a waiting room, but here you go!

Kenza had always been sensitive to the scent of blood. She could always smell it when someone had a nosebleed or a skinned knee at school, even from the other side of the building. Maybe because she'd had the ability for so long, it never really bothered her. All her years, it had simply been a part of life. People bled. No big deal.

And so, the tiny amount of blood surrounding the gauze pressed up against her peripheral IV did nothing to bother her. Even the scene, which was quite strong, was fading into the back of her mind.

The monitor beside her beeped in rhythm to her heartbeat. Only seven more minutes to go, she told herself. They're preparing my treatment right now. A giddy excitement rumbled in her belly. Fifteen minutes, they'd told her, all reassuring smiles and pink lab coats. It was almost time.

The advertisement had promised a treatment that would slow down the aging process and turn back the years for her body. Literally rejuvenate. Kenza used to scoff at such promises and treatments. Anti-aging creams, serums, pills. Nothing more than a scam.

And yet the years had rushed right past her, and now the middle-aged woman she's blinked and turned into found herself past a point of no return. If she had had a fulfilling life, full of adventure and experiences and memories, perhaps she would have been alright with it. But she hadn't lived her life. She hadn't done anything with it.

That was why she was here, a few months after her 50th birthday, in this quiet, pink-walled clinic. To get another chance. Another lease on life.

She'd done her research, of course. 98% success rate on all patients, regardless of most diseases or conditions. No negative side effects. A proven record. The research was more than promising.

Kenza liked to believe that was what hooked her. Not the promise of youth prolonged or revived during her most desperate of times. She didn't like feeling desperate. She leaned back against the recliner again, closing her eyes. She wasn't desperate. She was smart. She was taking an opportunity. That was what people did to get ahead in life.

It cost a pretty penny to sign up, and seats were limited, but she managed. One of the nice advantages to not having lived her life was her chunky savings account. She crinkled her nose and glanced at the monitor again, looking for the time.

Four more minutes left.

Fifteen minutes, on the dot. That's what they promised. She was so close.

She'd live her life - really and truly - now that she'd have more years to work with. Her heart rate jumped with excitement, and the monitor's beeping followed suit.

This was it.

Finally.

So, why...

Why could she smell the overwhelming scent of blood?

Will share more soon! Let me know your thoughts ^^ And if you want to participate in Coppe's Webbe or other Scareuary events, check them out over on @scareuary!

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Writing Question #14

If you're familiar with interactive fiction (IF), what are some ways in which the concept of the maze in horror can be applied?

SCAREUARY 2025 - THE MAZE