The Paradox of Horror: Pleasure and Pain

I've got a question for you: If you enjoy horror stories, do you take pleasure in the fear, the pain, and/or the gore? Why or why not?

If you don't enjoy horror stories, what don't you like about those feelings of fear and suffering?

I have my own answers of course, but I want to know what YOU think. I'm excited to be working on my first horror themed presentation. It's not until October, but I like planning out all of my thoughts well in advance. I'm timing my first horror talk with the most popular month for horror stories, and it will take place just a couple of weeks after the release of my horror adventure, Rabbit in Red.

When I think of watching a horror movie or reading a scary story, I evaluate it based on my physical reactions. If I grimace, turn away, close my eyes, jump, have nightmares: that's the story I, perhaps ironically, love and recommend to others! Isn't that crazy? Or is it just the joy of horror? :) That's the paradox of horror I'm exploring. If I'm not scared or don't react in a physical manner to the story, then eh, the story probably gets a bad review.

I think some people consider the pain, the gore, the fear you experience in horror as A) something you must endure to reap other benefits, such as seeing our hero survive or the mystery unfold, or B) something that produces a physical reaction-- the adrenaline rush-- as something actually pleasurable, similar to the rush one gets on a roller coaster. 

So what do you think? Do you take pleasure in horror? Why or why not?

I've also updated my author website, which includes adding my first horror talk to the list of upcoming events. Check out my that site if you have a chance. It includes all the links to my other social media sites, and I hope you'll follow me on my journey of horror! I have quite a few other questions and themes I'm exploring for not only my upcoming talk but other stories I'm currently writing. 

Thanks for reading. Looking forward to your comments!

The Newfoundland Vampire by Charles O'Keefe

Distinguished Press is celebrating the release of The Newfoundland Vampire by author Charles O’Keefe. Grab your copy on Amazon right now for only $3.99!

Here’s a teaser for the story:

Like many geeks, Joseph O’Reily has always fantasized about being a vampire. Then one night Cassandra Snow walks into his life and he learns that not all dreams should come true. Cassandra has plans for him – plans for eternity.
As his world begins to turn upside down, Josephs wrestles with the changes to his everyday life. Eternal youth and amazing power come at a price that might be higher than he can afford. Vampires may not be human, but Joseph is determined to hold on to what he values most — his humanity.

You can join us this Saturday April 25 all day long for fun games and prizes to celebrate O'Keefe's release and other great works from Distinguished Press. Plus, there will be a surprise announcement! Visit us at this Facebook link to join the party. 

And check out this excerpt from the novel!

“As Joseph walked away, heading in the general direction of his parents’ house, he looked down at his bloody, torn shirt. The pain in his side had already started to fade. He probed gently with his fingers and found the wound had closed up. He glanced at his watch and noticed he could see the dial without pressing the light button. It was 10:35, and he recalled that he’d told Cassandra he would return to her room around midnight.

When he thought of Cassandra, he immediately knew the truth about what she’d done to him. Tuesday night she’d bitten him and drank his blood. Two nights later, he was drinking the blood of a moose out of some uncontrollable, instinctive need. What has happened to me? Is any of this real, or am I dreaming? Have I lost my mind?

He knew what had happened. He knew what Cassandra had done. He knew what he had become. The notion that he might no longer even be human hit him like an imaginary punch in stomach, and he leaned against a nearby tree to stop from falling over. His vision swam, and his mind churned as he tried to come to grips with the realization. As crazy and hard to believe as it was, he could come up with no other explanation.

He recalled a principle by William of Ockham, Other things being equal, a simpler explanation is better than a more complex one. He shook his head. Ockham’s razor. But was it even possible, let alone the simplest explanation? He admitted he’d harbored a deep, dark wish from the time he was thirteen of becoming a vampire, but he never imagined that it would ever come true. It was impossible. Vampires didn’t exist. So, then, what is this? What am I doing out here, drinking the blood of a moose and healing wounds? Am I having some elaborate delusion?

He tried to grasp the reality of his situation by reviewing what he knew. Cassandra slept all day. That first night they had spent together, she had bitten his neck. He’d fallen asleep next to her, dreaming she’d had blood on her mouth. She had expressed her desire to taste his blood several times. And she’d introduced him to the perversion of sharing their blood during sex. Her mannerisms and certain patterns of speech seemed oddly old fashioned.

In the last few days, he’d felt extremely weak during daylight and extremely powerful at night. He could hear and see better than he ever imagined possible. And there was the insatiable hunger he’d suddenly developed that could only be satisfied by blood. Could it be true? Instead of a made-up myth, vampires were real, and Cassandra was one – and now, so was he?”

You can follow Charles on Twitter, and be sure to get a copy of the novel here!

You can also visit his author webpage and the Distinguished Press homepage for more info.

Bill's Nightmare by Artist Tracie VerKuilen

When I first signed a book contract, I had a hundred ideas for fun things I wanted to do to help pass on the excitement I have for the story. One such idea was to connect with interested artists, and give them a brief scene or character from Rabbit in Red and see what they (no restrictions) visualized.

It's also a chance to give credit to hard-working and talented artists.

The first such artist who volunteered for this is a current college student of mine, Tracie VerKuilen. Tracie is a talented young woman with ambitions of being a published author too. She graduated from Peoria Notre Dame High School (me too!) and is attending Illinois Central College, focusing on English and Psychology (I was an English major and also attended ICC!). We clearly had a lot in common as students, and I have full confidence that she will see all of her dreams come true.

Thank you, Tracie, for this contribution. It's the first piece of art I have received for my writing. I plan on framing it, and always letting it be a reminder of one of my biggest philosophies: artists support one another and cheer one another on. Success comes from those who champion others. That's why I know you'll be successful in all of your future ambitions.

I love this scene for many reasons. In my very first drafts, this was the opening to the story. Bill Wise, one Rabbit in Red main character, woke from a nightmare. Of course, he's a horror enthusiast and his bedroom is full of terrifying items that may trigger dark thoughts.

As of now, we first meet Bill in the middle of action, and we don't see his bedroom or get to know the nightmares that plague him until later in the story. But the things that haunt him at night and the passions that get him through his days are incredibly important parts of the story.

I gave Tracie just a page or two of this section, and above is what she invented in her imagination.

Isn't it just freaking' AMAZING?

Again, thank you, Tracie. I love it.

Look for Rabbit in Red, my horror adventure, in September of this year.

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Thanks to everyone for your support with my projects. If you'd like to contribute art, you can e-mail me at joechianakas@gmail.com and we will discuss that.

You can also find me on a variety of social media. Just click the link below to be redirected to those sites and feel free to follow me there too.

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