#like campfire scary story cryptid only not exactly scary

[coollittlescribbles]

Found out a thing about writing scary stuff - im probably not the first to figure this out but im gonna say it anyway.

Say you've got your characters around a campfire nice and neat. They're telling spooky stories to scare each other.

But you can't seem to make anything they say.... actually strike fear in the hearts of your unsuspecting readers, mwahahaha.

So what I've found is that you should be as vague as possible when describing an entity or a situation that is supposed to be spooky.

Why? It lets the character's - and subsequently the readers' - mind race with ideas of what it could be, trying to piece the little information they've got together. And that information is vague, but it's not pointing anywhere good.

It's like the standing in front of a mirror with a very faint light source thing. You can see only faint edges of your face and the room while the rest is in the dark, and your mind is trying to put the puzzle together to make out what it's seeing, resulting in seeing horrible deformities in your face to the point that you dont recognise the cryptid in the mirror as yourself.

This is how it works.

You give a little clue. You point to something vaguely alarming; such as body horror, or a spirit that makes a horrible, dreadful sound.

You don't mention its intentions, (ex. it wants to eat humans, drink their blood or suck their soul out or blind them or whatever) or what it exactly looks like. You let the reader put that together.

You just faintly illuminate the horrible edges of it.

Good day/night!

[tallstales]

Day 2 Podcasts (13 Days of Halloween)

Next on the list of spooky things to do for Halloween are Podcasts! Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? Radio shows used to have us shaking in our boots long before scary movies and now with the uprise in amazing voices to choose from you can explore the unexplained, seriously spooky, true crime, or tame fun year round.

Here is a list of 13 favorites, some tried and true and some brand spanking new!

The Cryptid Cases

The Cryptid Cases tells the story of Mia Miller and Lucas Campbell, old college friends who reunite after the disappearance of Mia's grandfather. This dynamic duo explore the continental US in search for mythical monsters and the mystery Mia’s grandfather left behind. Sometimes the cryptic creatures are exactly what history has us expect, and other times the audience is in for a hoax. Either way, this podcast is jam packed with interesting story telling, surprising discoveries and cool cryptid facts.

Here Be Monsters

Here be monsters is a podcast about the unknown. This collection of unusual audio documentaries has been in existence since 2012 so they have just about every topic under their belt. Some of their most recent include: unnecessary cruelty, unreadable books, and did neanderthals bury their dead? Now is the perfect time to listen, having just separated from their production company and moving forward as independent every listen counts! Go give them a shot and be sure to check out their patreon.

Jim Harold’s Campfire

Campfire is a very unique podcast in that it invites you the listener to take part in the storytelling! Just like a good old campfire gathering, Jim tells his own stories and the listener can call in and share theirs as well giving a creepy true story vibe.

This is a great one for the Halloween season or to stream at your virtual Halloween parties! Maybe you can stretch your story telling skills with a call in of your own.

Borrasca

Speaking of storytelling, do you remember Borrasca? For those unfamiliar, this terrifying tale has haunted the pages of Creepy Pasta for years!

Creepy Pasta is known for it’s unbelievable horror finds, but few stories hold the praise for writing, storytelling, and straight up nightmares that Borrasca leaves with its readers. Now you can listen to this psychological thriller written by The Haunting of Hill House season writer Rebecca Klingel and starring Riverdale’s Cole Sprouse.

Feel like you’ve listened to Borrasca before?

No Sleep

You may have heard the original Borrasca on the No Sleep Podcast with many other Creepy Pasta favorites. The No Sleep Podcast is a multi-award winning anthology series of original horror stories featuring casts of talented voice actors, rich atmospheric music and sound effects. It’s so well known and equally well liked for a reason. And with 15 seasons under their belt, you could easily listen to this all October long and still have plenty to keep you occupied through the rest of 2020.

And speaking of popular, next on our list has a following that just keeps growing with the ever expanding content:

Lore

Sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction. In this well known podcast from Aaron Mahnke’s growing productions, the truth is definitely scary. It doesn’t need to be Halloween to enjoy these bites of dark history, but it certainly helps. Especially because for the month of October Lore becomes a weekly podcast so you never have to worry about running out of your favorite spooky content.

And if you do? Well that brings us to our next podcast.

Unobscured

Where Lore takes on new or sometimes multiple stories for each episode, Unobscured takes on one topic per series. The first year explored the Salem witch trials in such stunning detail that I am positive, if you tune in, you will learn at least one brand new never heard of Salem thing per episode. And that’s coming from a New Englander! Unobscured does exactly what it says on the tin, it takes a topic and peels off layer by layer of history and human emotions until the image left is, well… unobscured. Season 2 goes on to explore the Spiritualist Movement and the brand new Season 3 takes on Jack the Ripper! I’m working my way through that one with my husband right now and we’re loving it.

Pretty Scary

Are we scaring you off with this list? Do you like spooky but not scary? Want to listen to some scary stories but need a little humor to be able to sleep later? Pretty Scary is a pretty great podcast to try!

This podcast focuses on crime, ghosts, aliens, and all other manner of mysterious and unexplained phenomena. And! It’s hosted by comedians. Not only does this group know how to tell a story, but they definitely add some light to the dark.

The Scaredy Cats Horror Show

Speaking of podcasts for those faint of heart, there is a new kid on the block called The Scaredy Cats Podcast! This is a favorite for my husband who wants so desperately to know about the horror movies my friends and I love to talk about but was scared by the kittens in The Haunting of Hill House. Yes, you read that right - THE KITTENS.

This podcast is about scary movies for people who are too scared to ever watch them. Each week Alex Goldman, avowed horror fan, screens a scary movie for avowed scaredy cat PJ Vogt. Together, they want to find out if it’s possible to become a person who enjoys fear.

Sawbones

Another show for those not looking for a scare but maybe to have some fund being grossed out this Halloween is Sawbones.

Dr. Sydnee McElroy and her husband Justin take you on a tour of Misguided Medicine through history. Every Friday, they dig through the annals of medical history to uncover all the odd, weird, wrong, dumb and just gross ways we’ve tried to fix people over the years. Oh the things that go so very wrong!

Family Ghosts

Slowly getting back into the spooky, there is Family Ghosts.

Every house is haunted, if not with spirits then with secrets. Family Ghosts is a documentary-style storytelling podcast that investigates the true story behind a mysterious figure whose legend has followed a family for generations. Grandmothers who were secretly jewel smugglers, uncles who led double lives, siblings who vanished without a trace, and other specters who cast shadows over lives in ways that might not be immediately obvious.

Spirits

Speaking of spirits - here’s a podcast about them in all their forms! Spirits is a podcast about mythology, legends, and folklore and every episode comes with a drink to sip as you listen!

Co-hosts Julia and Amanda mix a drink and discuss a new story or character from a wide range of places, eras, and cultures. Learn brand-new stories and enjoy re-tellings of your favorite myths, served over ice every week.

Last Podcast on the Left

With that little bit of liquid courage from spirits, we’re diving back into the deep end with Last Podcast on the Left!

The last Podcast on the Left covers all things gore. Their topics run the gamut from horror told around the world both real and imagined to demons, movies, cults and serial killers. If you’re looking for new terrifying topics weekly, Last Podcast on the Left is sure to satiate your blood lust.

But don’t be too afraid, this group of goofy guys speak to their audience in a way that makes you feel like you’re one of the friend group. It’s easy to imagine meeting up with your friends on that old couch in the basement or around a campfire every week to scare each other senseless and share a few laughs.

13 days of Halloween with Keegan-Michael Key

Last but certainly not least is the treasure that is 13 days of Halloween with Keegan-Michael Key, a new podcast from Grim and Mild. My husband and I just started this last night and we are so excited to continue the weird and wild journey forward!

13 Days of Halloween is a unique adventure that tows the line between ethereal horror and thrilling campfire tales. Each episode explores a different chilling story from the residents of the mysterious Hawthorne Manor and its caretaker voiced by actor Keegan-Michael Key. A fun twist was that this manor is really brought to life with 360-degree surround sound. New episodes are released every day starting October 19th, ending on Halloween.

We couldn’t end this list on a more perfect podcast.

Don’t forget to comment below!

13 Days of Halloween is a special treat for me and my readers. On Halloween, there will be a very special giveaway I’d love for you to take part in. All you have to do to enter is comment or share this post to your social media.

Thank you for participating and best of luck!