A frequent question on the horror sub Reddit is a request for the scariest and most disturbing movies of all time. While I have watched my share of extremely intense ones (such as Funny Games and Eden Lake), sometimes I just want a more enjoyable flick won’t scar me. If you are looking for a…
Author: mscottfiction
I’m a little old horror writer who puts her nightmares down on paper. I was born on Halloween and live with my husband in a haunted house far off the beaten track. When I’m not writing, I frequent used bookstores and prowl the woods.
Exploring the Haunted Woods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula | Unique Setting Inspiration
For me, the setting is an important piece of any book or movie. I love being transported to another place. For example, the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s The Shining will forever be imprinted in my mind. Although my last novel, The Veil of Shadows, took place in Charlottesville, Virginia, I usually select my home…
The Last of Us, Fallout, and The Witcher: Exploring Video Game TV Crossovers
A student of mine once wrote an essay about how video games aren’t given enough credit for their contributions to literature. I have to agree. Although I am relatively new to playing video games, it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with titles like Skyrim and Horizon Zero Dawn. The beautiful scenery…
The Terrifying Appeal of Cosmic Horror
Splitting the atom, human cloning, AI technology—these discoveries have sparked fear in many people who worry that science is crossing boundaries not meant to be crossed. The question seems to boil down to, “Are people overstepping the limits of what they’re meant to know?” Cosmic horror attempts to answer this. H.P. Lovecraft and the Essence…
Unpacking the Layers: A Comprehensive Review of the Movie “Civil War”
I am a big fan of director Alex Garland’s movies, such as Ex Machina and Annihilation. These moody, dynamic films contain tense situations, compelling characters, and often end with a satisfying twist. When I heard about Civil War, however, I was a bit apprehensive. I didn’t want a politically-divisive movie about politics in the United…
Exploring the Shadows: The Problematic Legacy of H. P. Lovecraft
As an avid reader of horror, I’ve always been drawn to classics like Dracula and “The Pit and the Pendulum.” However, H. P. Lovecraft remained a peripheral figure in my literary landscape until recently. References to names like Cthulhu and films like “Color Out of Space” intrigued me, gradually kindling my curiosity about this enigmatic…
Behind the Lens: Exploring the Visionaries Behind the Alien Franchise
Last week, I delved into why Alien holds a special place as my go-to comfort movie. This time, I embarked on a journey to revisit each of the first four films in the franchise, paying close attention to the directors behind each movie in the Alien franchise. What I discovered was a newfound appreciation for…
Writing Horror Settings
One of my favorite elements in any horror story is the setting. The way an author or filmmaker crafts the backdrop can transform a simple tale into a truly chilling experience. From Stephen King’s Maine to Jennifer McMahon’s New England, some locations just lend themselves to horror. As a Michigan native, I enjoy exploring a…