Author: Horror Tree

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The Science of Scare: Understanding Psychological Triggers in Horror

The Science of Scare: Understanding Psychological Triggers in Horror

Fear is one of the most powerful human emotions. It’s instinctive, primal, and deeply rooted in the brain. That’s why horror stories, when done right, can be so effective: they tap directly into that raw emotion, and most importantly, people actually like to be scared by a good story.

 

But what exactly makes horror scary? It’s not just blood, monsters, or things jumping out from the dark. The best horror works because it targets something deeper: psychological triggers that humans are wired to respond to. Of course, you can scare someone with an ugly monster, but to really tap into a deeply-rooted fear of something really disturbing requires some more profound knowledge.

 

For writers, understanding these natural triggers is the key to crafting stories that don’t just shock, but truly unsettle.

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10 Haunted House Places and Creepy Locations That Will Give You Chills

10 Haunted House Places and Creepy Locations That Will Give You Chills

People love exploring the scariest ghost stories and haunted real-life locations for many reasons, including the thrill of fear, curiosity about the supernatural, and a desire to connect with mysterious histories. What’s more, if you want to touch the unknown, there are plenty of opportunities to do so, as such locations are spread worldwide. 

 

Read further to discover why people are so fascinated by paranormal stories and haunted places, and find out which legendary locations top the list for thrill-seekers.

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Is co-authoring the ‘write’ thing for you?

Is co-authoring the ‘write’ thing for you?

 

Not only would I like to make this piece an example of what co-authoring a book can be like but also take the opportunity to convey how it made me feel about the process. Most of the time we authors are solitary creatures, but sometimes the urge to collaborate with like-minded folk can truly be the gift we didn’t know we needed. But sure, I get it, it’s not for everyone. It can be hard to align yourself with a certain level of detachment when it comes to crafting your story and developing its characters. The need to be fully in control all the way down the line is a powerful thing. But the truth of it is there’s actually a lot of power in letting that go, and trusting your writing partner to bring aspects of character and story to the table, the like of which you maybe didn’t even consider when you embarked upon the project.

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Nightmares and Sweet Dreams

Nightmares and Sweet Dreams

By Kelly Florence & Meg Hafdahl

As horror fans, we love a good jump scare in the movie theater. There’s nothing better than physically reacting to a moment in a film with a group of people. Inevitably, we’ve found that we collectively laugh at what we’ve just experienced, and murmurs abound throughout the theater among strangers. We also hold our breath for a drawn out reveal in a horror novel. Tempted to skip ahead, we can’t betray the storyteller and instead sit transfixed as we read paragraph after paragraph, sentence after sentence, word after word until…discovery. Shock!! If you’re like us, sometimes you need to physically put down the book you’ve been reading, pace for a bit, then regroup and dive back into the narrative. 

We cover our mouths as a surprise killer point of view is shown on a television series. A shot of the potential (or future) victim, filmed behind bushes or through a window while the bad guy (probably breathing heavily) is heard. “Get out! Run!” we shout from our couches or armchairs, but the characters never hear us. These shocking moments occur in our favorite horror media and the adrenaline rush is fun! It’s safe, this feeling of fear. We know it’s fictional, and we are not directly involved. But what happens when we suffer from nightmares in real life? Nightmares that are, perhaps, based on our own lives?

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10 Tricks To Organizing Your Speculative Writing After Enjoying Weed

10 Tricks To Organizing Your Speculative Writing After Enjoying Weed

 

For writers of speculative fiction — those who delve into horror, science fiction, or fantasy — tapping into unconventional methods of creativity can lead to truly original stories. For some, some weed can unlock imaginative worlds, strange creatures, and unique plot twists, adding a spark to an otherwise typical writing session. A visit to haygood Market can offer just the right strain to enhance creativity and take your writing to the next level. But for as helpful as it can be in the creative phase, cannabis can make organizing ideas challenging afterward. If you’re searching for practical ways to transform a haze of inspiration into well-structured narratives, here are ten useful tricks to keep your speculative fiction coherent and compelling.

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High-Stakes Horror: How Risk and Uncertainty Drive Fear

High-Stakes Horror: How Risk and Uncertainty Drive Fear

Horror stories, whether in books, films, or games, are rooted in a fundamental human emotion: fear. The ability to evoke fear largely comes from leveraging risk and uncertainty. By placing characters in dangerous and unpredictable situations, horror narratives tap into our natural aversion to the unknown and our concern for personal safety. This blueprint is familiar yet effective, captivating audiences by playing on primal instincts and psychological responses.

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The Horror Games Worth Playing on PS5 When You Need a Writing Break

The Horror Games Worth Playing on PS5 When You Need a Writing Break

As a speculative fiction author, there are moments when inspiration wanes or writer’s block sets in. Taking a break is essential, and immersing yourself in another form of storytelling can reignite your creativity. Horror games on the PS5 offer not just thrilling experiences but also rich narratives, complex characters, and atmospheric worlds that can spark new ideas for your writing.

Coupled with reading horror-themed novels, many people chasing a spine-chilling escape have generally always turned to gaming. For PlayStation 5 gamers, there are some top-notch scares on offer through a selection of must-play horror releases.

Even away from Sony’s hugely popular console machine, horror games receive plenty of plaudits. Signalis is a much-loved survival horror game on the Switch, Horror Hotel by Relax Gaming is a Halloween-themed slot release by one of the best iGaming developers, while Dead by Daylight Mobile is a game smartphone users seem to be enjoying right now. Although these superb horror products on other platforms are improving the horror genre as a whole, we’re only focusing on the best horror games on PlayStation right now. Let’s take a look at some of them below.

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Spirits of the Free State: Exploring Haunted Maryland

Maryland, a state steeped in rich American history, offers much more than just its famous landmarks and historical significance. Its battlefields, old homes, and iconic structures tell tales not only of war and hardship but also of supernatural encounters. 

 

Known for ghostly apparitions, eerie sounds, and unexplained phenomena, the Free State harbors a thrilling side filled with haunted locations. From the blood-soaked grounds of Antietam to the ghostly presence in Camden Yards, Maryland is a paranormal enthusiast’s dream.

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