What Do You Find Scary in a Story?

While growing up I never watched scary movies, but I devoured books by Stephen King, Dean Koontz and other authors that I never thought might be considered horror. They were just…stories.

Sure, some might keep me up at night, and make me illuminate dark corners before I entered a room, but they weren’t scary, right? 

Then my avoidance of all scary movies ended when I met my future hubby, who loved everything scary and slasher movies. Suddenly I was plunged into watching way more scary movies than I ever wanted, and found I grew to kind of like some of them. 

Usually I prefer the ones that were more paranormal, thriller, or psychological suspense. It seems I’m one of many who like the suspense and a little bit of scare—in the movies, or stories, because in person I’m a wimp. 

Fiction vs Reality

Fiction allows us to do things we might be afraid to do in real life and experience the world through a character. The same can be achieved with writing. Things that would normally be frightening are more like a thrill or exciting in a book, not necessarily terrifying. Most of us can be a little braver when we can live vicariously through a character, whether it’s in a book, or a movie.  

Although I did find some movies such as A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Amityville Horror and The Shining and books such as Darkfall and Pet Cemetery, to be scarier than I anticipated, left to fester in my imagination for years after.

Scary or Not?

So naturally some of this seeps into my stories. But I’ve always

thought of my stories as having a little suspense, a dash of sarcasm and some supernatural stuff. Until I released my first novel in The Enchantlings series, Destiny Calling. 

To my surprise a couple websites listed my book under horror. I thought, perhaps it’s the cover, or the blurb? Then a friend, and avid reader, told me some parts of the book frightened her so much that she couldn’t read it at night. Others didn’t find it scary. Some said it was more thrilling, or suspenseful. It seems we each have our own impression of what’s scary. 

Not a Chance

Last week my second book in The Enchantlings series, Not a Chance, was released. Some might think I made it a little scarier

than the first. Perhaps it’s because of the darker turn the story took when I came across this old abandoned building on one of my bike trails.

Others might feel Not a Chance is no more frightening than most paranormal. You’ll have to be the judge.

Hope just wants to be normal—too bad that will never happen.

The last thing Hope Hallows wants is to become the latest headline. Living in a town that likes secrets, she prefers to keep hers hidden. Avoiding a nosy reporter’s questions about her ability to infuse euphoria or despair with a single touch, and those who crave this bliss, is nothing new. But having her brother’s annoying girlfriend, Berta, go missing is—especially when it makes Hope suspect number one. 

As a triplet, her resemblance to her beloved dead sister causes her family to grieve even more, and her escalating supernatural skills makes Griffith, her half-human-half-Oppressor boyfriend, wary. He wants to put his unsavory past behind him—this could include Hope—since her abilities remind him of the Underworld. 

In her desperate search to find Berta, she stumbles across a tunnel. Phantom voices within whisper that evil has been waiting for a new leader—and isn't she lucky, they've chosen Hope.

Do You Like to Be Scared?

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook& Twitter

Be the first to know about Maureen’s book sales and new releases by following her on BookBub, Amazon& get a free story when you sign up for her newsletter