Why You Can’t Write Fear Without Feeling It First

by: J.M. Shaw

Every story requires a different creative mindset. I can’t write a sombre narrative if I’m feeling lighthearted and carefree, nor can I write a tranquil scene if I’m weighed down by inner turmoil. Creativity isn’t something that can be forced—it’s inextricably connected to one’s emotional state. If writing is a process powered by imagination, then one’s mood is the fuel that keeps the imaginative fire burning. And while our feelings can’t always be controlled, they can certainly be influenced.

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Hidden Horrors

by: J.M. Shaw

It is what you cannot see that is most terrifying. Even as adults, many of us are afraid of the dark, though few will admit to such a childish fear. We use nightlights, open our curtains, or crack the door to let the hall light chase away the shadows. While we claim this is to prevent trips and falls in the middle of the night, a deeper dive into such ritual behaviors would reveal that we are afraid of being vulnerable. We know there are no dangers shrouded in the darkness or hiding in the ill-defined corners, but our mind convinces us that there is, and who are we to argue with ourselves. We believe our own lies because it is better to be cautious then dismissive of something nefarious that might exist.

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