folk horror Archives -

In dark fantasy, editing, fantasy, folk horror, folklore, gothic, historical fiction, horror, interview, paranormal, podcast, superstition, Uncategorized, write through the roof, writers, writing, writing tips

Interview with ‘dark and weird’ writer, Alison Littlewood

‘History, folklore, ghosts and spooky things.’

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Episode 75 – Alison Littlewood – Show Notes

Plot beginnings and endings and pants it all the rest of the way
Word count spreadsheet – 1000 words per day
Obsessive about edits
Satisfies the canine overlords before she begins a writing session
Dark and weird genre – on the edges of horror
Themes – loss and death and love – various aspects of being human- twisted fairytales and folklore
Perceptions of horror writers
‘Reading a lot. Writing a lot.’
The benefits of working with a good editor
Writing in the middle of the night – inspired by HP Lovecraft
Michelle Paver, Jason Arnop, Paul Tremblay, Joe Hill, Katrina Ward, Andrew Michael Hurley, Nathan Ballingrud, Priya Sharma, Angela Slatter, Graham Joyce
Mistletoe – ghost stories at Christmas – MR James, Victorian times – folklore and history of the plant and the season
Historical research
Cottingley faeries and changelings

‘Plot beginnings and endings and pants it all the rest of the way.’

‘People back away when I say I’m a horror writer.’

Links

Music for Writing – dark & spooky moods

By Madeleine D'Este

On May 11, 2019

In dark fantasy, folk horror, horror, music, Uncategorized, writing, writing tips

Most of the time I need music for writing. And the right kind of music. Like books and stories, I’ve always had a passion for music.

This is a new series where I’ll be sharing what I’m listening to.

Today is dark and spooky music for dark and spooky moods.

Here are three artists to inspire your dark and spooky writing.

Lebanon Hanover

Lebanon Hanover is a German-British goth electric duo. Think New Order with Nico. Great music for taphophiles and recovering goths.

Bohren and der Club of Gore

Bohren and der Club of Gore are slow, languid, dark and jazzy. Known as ‘doom jazz’, this is reminiscent of smoky clubs, noir with a touch of Twin Peaks.

John Carpenter

‘Horror-synth’ is another musical genre I gravitate towards when writing horror or general dark stuff. And John Carpenter is the grand-daddy of them all. His synth soundtracks create the perfect sense of dread.

I hope you enjoy these atmosphere-creating tunes.

If you’re writing something dark and spooky, what music do you listen to?

Edit: I’ve created a Spotify playlist featuring the artists above.

Spotify – Music for Writing playlist

Where we’re from, the birds sing a pretty song : rewatching Twin Peaks

By Madeleine D'Este

On February 16, 2017

In folk horror, folklore, horror, nature, review, Twin Peaks

While suffering a day of serious procrastination, I binge watched a bunch of Twin Peaks in a row and so messed up my plan for reviewing episode by episode. (Damn you Resistance! You got me that day but I’ve bounced back to get you. See here for more of my battles with Resistance.)

On that Sunday, I let Resistance get the better of me but who doesn’t love a guilty lazy afternoon on the couch? Especially watching something as clever, funny, spooky and weird as Twin Peaks Season 1.

In episodes 2 to 6, the murder investigation gets going with more suspects appearing including the One Armed Man and Jacques Renault. We start to see the real quirky side of Agent Cooper as he explains his unorthodox intuitive methods and we scratch further into the dirty and dark secrets of the small town. Plus lots of coffee and sugar-dusted doughnut porn.

“She’s dead. Wrapped in plastic”: rewatching Twin Peaks

By Madeleine D'Este

On January 26, 2017

In characters, horror, not writing, review, Twin Peaks, world building

Twin Peaks Season 3 is coming out in May 2017 and I’ve been meaning to look back at Twin Peaks for a long time. I was sixteen when it was first on television in Tasmania, and it was a strong influence on me. So in anticipation of the new season, I’m committed to rewatching all 30 episodes, I’m doing it and I’m going to share my thoughts here.

There will be ***SPOILERS*** but come on, it’s been over 25 years since it was shown.

Let’s start with “Pilot” or “Northwest Passage”. Today I’m focusing on my initial feelings and reactions to the whole premise, rather than delving into the plot. More analysis of the plot will probably come later. But this is the episode where it all begins, Laura Palmer is found, Agent Cooper arrives and the crime investigation is underway.

As soon as the titles came up, the sparks of the saw mill, the waterfall, the Douglas firs and the deep slow bass of the theme tune, I was thrust back into 1991. Now, the opening titles font has really dated (day-glo green) but the rest of the design, clothing and setting is timeless, aside from one or two stray mullets.

Tag: folk horror