E.G. Anderson Fear Journal

As a kid, my mom thought she was being nice by bringing me books she bought at yard sales. I didn’t know about authors, and I didn’t care. All that mattered was the story.

What my mother didn’t know was that I had already seen the movies. Reading the books was like an afterthought. But it wasn’t.

Writers have to put in the work. They have to try to keep your attention as if they are sitting across from you at a campfire, telling you a scary story.

It’s difficult enough to do that in person. It’s even more difficult to do that in writing.

When I read his writing, I don’t really feel like I’m reading.

For example, I read this novel the other day about a 18th-century woman who didn’t want to “follow” the rules. She didn’t want to be a lady, and that’s great and all. However, the writer used so many words that I couldn’t keep up with. I’m not ashamed to say it.

H.P. Lovecraft. His works have been cited as revolutionary. He wrote about monsters and creatures that he described as “indescribable”. See, that is what he gave the readers. It was up to them to imagine what indescribable meant to them. Lovecraft tapped into fear and the unknown.

However, I’m going to be honest with you. I have read his works, and they are lengthy. Lots of description and complex storytelling. Not to mention, he himself admitted that he was not good at writing dialogue.

I like to write the way we speak in real life. To break down our discussions like real people. That is what I enjoy about Stephen King. He managed to do that.

Stephen King is a master of horror because he makes the ordinary feel dangerous and the impossible feel real.

Here’s the short version of why he works so well:

• He writes real people first, monsters second.
• His characters feel human — scared, flawed, familiar.
• He builds slow, creeping tension instead of relying only on shock.
• His language is simple, vivid, and emotionally honest.
• He understands fear as a feeling, not just a monster.

What makes him stand out most?
He makes you believe the horror could happen to you.

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Misery is a psychological thriller. I would hate to be stuck with a psychopath, really … her character was a psychopath.

Two words: Annie Wilkes. I could only dream of creating a character like her.

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Pet Sematary is a psychological thriller. It touched on the heartstrings of grief. Mixed with real folklore. And authentic dialogue from the family.

The movie adaptation was pretty good too.