{"id":18435,"date":"2022-05-17T17:05:39","date_gmt":"2022-05-17T15:05:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stadtsprachen.de\/en\/?post_type=stsp_text&p=18435"},"modified":"2022-08-26T19:18:58","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T17:18:58","slug":"leaving-the-horror","status":"publish","type":"stsp_text","link":"https:\/\/stadtsprachen.de\/en\/text\/leaving-the-horror\/","title":{"rendered":"Leaving The Horror"},"content":{"rendered":"

The main avenue that was bustling just a moment ago is as silent as a desert. What is happening? Skyrocketing fear shoots through my chest and I can\u2019t even walk straight anymore. A spine-tingling shiver runs down my back.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hmm\u2026 I\u2019d say that is at least as good as a standard horror film. It\u2019s been a while since I have written a dramatic piece. Popular taste now demands that whatever you write must be either funny or scary. Since I am not yet able to make people laugh, I might just as well scare them. Hence, this horror story of mine. But before she can scare her readers, a writer must come face to face with the kind of horror that would scare her. So I\u2019d better read what I wrote again, carefully! Let\u2019s see.<\/p>\n

The great minds say that showing is more effective than telling. A writer is a carpenter of grammar and words. Words must be put together in their proper places. What else do they say? Back in the day I memorized so many snippets of writerly knowledge. But now that I\u2019m actually trying to write myself I can only recall the most trite of them. But here\u2019s what I think. Writing dramatic prose is like preparing a noodle salad. Even in your shortest pieces, you must incorporate as many feelings as you can in the right proportions. So\u2026 let\u2019s reread. The opening is always important, even in a non-dramatic, non-fiction piece like a news article, right? So how is mine?<\/p>\n

Oh my God! Did I write that? My opening is like a fistful of noodles being slapped in a bowl! I haven\u2019t shown anything, really. I just blurted out whatever came into my head. Just look at that! \u2018Skyrocketing fear\u2019? \u2018A spine-tingling shiver runs down my back?’ What laziness. Let\u2019s fix this salad so that it\u2019s edible.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bang Bang<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two gunshots.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is not a Hollywood action film set. This is not the NYC Bronx where people with guns (legal and illegal) roam around. This is a main avenue of a Burmese city where peace-loving people move about on their daily business. This is a main thoroughfare used by public servants, civilians, pensioners, youths, students, teachers, street vendors, monks, nuns, and more. This is a road bustling with the noise of cars, chatting, blaring music, advertisements, pigeons and stray dogs. But in an instant, these two gunshots have transformed the place.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Now, not a single person can be seen on the avenue. Only scattered sandals are left behind. Not even a pigeon or a dog can be heard, let alone people\u2019s voices. Even the crows seem to have stopped cawing. It\u2019s just after noon but the sky is grey and dirty, already threatening rain. The familiar scents of frying food and fresh fruit from the street vendors have vanished, replaced by the smell of smoke and bullets. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Avoiding smoky corners, the steps can no longer keep a straight course. An urge to glance backward every few paces is slowing down progress. Even though the steps are moving forward, the back of the head is demanding to swap positions with the front of the head. While looking backward, the forward-moving body is afraid it might get pierced by something from the front. That thought hastens the steps once more. But since the eyes are now at the back of the head, the body, although moving fast, is dragging itself sideways from the pavement to the middle of the road…<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hmm\u2026 now it\u2019s flowing a bit better. But isn\u2019t this too heavy-handed? I need to cut the noodle strands one by one to make each one the same length. Get rid of all that isn\u2019t necessary. Just because it\u2019s getting longer, it is not necessarily getting more dramatic. Effective prose can\u2019t be dripped in oil and soybean sauce and come out looking good. Better re-edit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bang Bang.<\/em><\/p>\n

Two Gunshots.<\/em><\/p>\n

This is not a Hollywood studio. It is just a main avenue in a Burmese city. A road peacefully used by public servants, civilians, students, teachers, street vendors, monks and nuns. A road throbbing with noise, cars, chatting, blaring music, adverts, pigeons, and stray dogs. But these two gunshots have transformed it. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Now you cannot see anybody on the avenue. Instead of steps, there are just scattered sandals left behind. Not even a pigeon or a dog can be heard, let alone people\u2019s voices. It\u2019s just after noon but the sky is grey and dirty, already threatening rain. The scents of food and fruits from the street vendors have vanished, replaced by smells of smoke and bullets. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Avoiding smoky corners, the steps are wavering. An urge to glance backward is slowing down progress. While looking backward, the forward-moving body is afraid it might get pierced by something at the front. That thought hastens the steps once again.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hmm\u2026 not too bad. Noodles look better and the taste is okay now. But more ingredients are still needed. I must avoid the kind of situation where a character has to convey everything with their own words. The readers should already be feeling the fear of the character. Now it\u2019s time to introduce the villain who has caused the fear. Be careful just to show only a glimpse of that villain for now. Readers are smarter than you. Don\u2019t assume that they will only get it if you show them the villain clearly. In order to let the readers imagine what the villain is like, just show them a subtle glimpse. Don\u2019t go overboard with oil and soy sauce.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

But the silence of the avenue is not absolute. Nor is the stillness. A faint breeze is discernable. And then, under the blinding sunlight, a thick wave of smoke bursts upwards like dry ice at a concert, darkening everything. I shut my eyes.<\/em><\/p>\n

I can smell blood! That makes me open my eyes again. Oh God! What is that, standing before me? Get away! Get away! Haha\u2026don\u2019t be afraid. I heard you are looking for a horror story and here I am to give you one. You want to write a horror story? You want a bestseller? A ghost! Not a single strand of hair on his head and his body is as yellow as saffron. There is a large hole on his chest, and the stench exuding from it is overpowering. His laughter thunders and blows\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Now we have a problem. I think I am actually afraid for real. At the squeak of a nearby mouse a moment ago I shivered and misspelled some words. Why the hell has the horror genre got so popular? Same goes for comedy. I suppose it is my problem that I don\u2019t want to laugh and prefer to be scared. But now my fear-driven scribbles have put mud in my noodle salad bowl! The prose was progressing okay but the dialogue has gone horribly wrong. I meant to add a splash of tamarind sauce but ended up pouring in a jug of lime juice. Why didn\u2019t I use speech marks? How can the readers discern who is speaking when? Back to the edit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The silence of the avenue is not absolute. Nor is the stillness. A very faint breeze is discernable. And then, under the blinding sunlight, a thick wave of smoke bursts upwards like dry ice at a concert, darkening everything. I shut my eyes.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

Blood. The smell of it makes me open my eyes again. Oh God! A man?No, a ghost. I\u2019m not sure. All I know is it\u2019s someone or something with a bald head, a saffron complexion, and a hole in his chest which is exuding an overpowering stench. His hairless face is laughing grotesquely amidst the smoke. \u2018Go away! Go away!\u2019 But my voice won\u2019t sound. Or else I simply can\u2019t hear myself. His bellowing laughter fills my brain. Warm liquid streams down my leg.I stop breathing…<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u2018Don\u2019t be scared,\u2019 the thing says. \u2018You are looking for a story and I am here to give you one. Are you writing a horror story? Don\u2019t you want a bestseller?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

So\u2026I guess it isn\u2019t too hard to cut. Write two sentences. Strike out one. Write another sentence. Discard two. Re-read, repeat, revise. You can\u2019t just dump the wafer-thin slices of onion and lettuce into a bowl, toss them up and be done with it. Just before mixing them together, you should dab them with tangy tamarind paste. Only then will the diners start drooling in anticipation. The art of presentation. So, let\u2019s continue. By now, the readers should be fairly uncomfortable from a fear of the unknown. They should also be curious to find out who the villain is. But don\u2019t give in just yet. Hold out for just a bit longer. That will make it taste better. Readers have probably got to the point where they want to go for a pee themselves but are reluctant to leave the story, and that is the essence of horror. Don\u2019t take the easy route now.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The voice of the thing, or person, is familiar. Too familiar. I have heard it before, not long ago, I\u2019m sure I have. But back then I felt safe. Now I feel the opposite. Still, I have been running out of things to write about lately and have gotten to a point of near-starvation, so right now I am prepared to risk a lot for a story. <\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Hang on, aren\u2019t you writing horror literature? Or are you just imitating those silly horror films? The character\u2019s voice is revealing too much too soon. You cannot reveal a complex backstory in a short moment of action like this, not now. The character\u2019s traits and background can develop over time as the narrative progresses. You are starting to sound as if you are not content with salad\u2019s main tastes: sour, salt and spice. Instead, you want to add sweet and bitter tastes by pouring in caster sugar and melon seeds. But don\u2019t go all trigger-happy. Stay steady. And re-edit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

That voice is familiar. Yes, I heard that very voice, not long ago. But then I felt safe. Now I feel the opposite. Still, right now I will make myself face anything if it means getting a story. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018So tell me what sort of story you have. \u2019My voice sounds dry, but the relief of finding I am able to muster audible speech steadies my trembling body.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018I am\u2026.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

But then that familiar voice simply fades away from my ears. That saffron body drifts back into the darkness along with his horrid, laughing face. The big hole on his chest floats away like a flying saucer moving into darkness. Strangely, though, the smell of blood remains as strong as ever.<\/em><\/p>\n

At this moment, another wave of white smoke rises up like a tide. It does not occur to me to ask why an avenue in the middle of this city has become a channel for smoke waves. My whole attention is focused on trying to discern what it is that I can see moving towards me in the smoke, what shapes are gradually emerging\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

This bit is not so bad. But the sense of horror that had been gaining momentum has now dipped. Are you just treading water before revealing the villain? Are you sure that will engage the readers? Or, just because all the ingredients are now ready, are you now going to mix them up with your bare hand and plop the mess onto a plate, like those cheap street vendors do when they get busy? Come on. Make it more colourful. Try adding some green herbs, and a few diced nuggets of red and green chilli. Make it more colourful, more presentable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At this moment, another wave of white smoke rises up like a tide. It drifts to and fro between the pavements as it rolls along the avenue. Amidst the smoke, strange shapes have emerged, have intensified to reveal their colours, and are floating about, all reeking of blood. When they pass close by I can see some of the shapes have donned black jeans and emo haircuts, and others green longyis. But no matter how different their outfits and colours, they all have three things in common. First, each has a gaping hole in its chest. Second, each exudes a vile smell of blood. Third, each bears a story.<\/em><\/p>\n

He needs to set aside his fear for the sake of the stories. Now he has gotten used to the strange sensation of the smoky avenue, he is becoming used to the fear.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Wait! What have you done? Don\u2019t people want to be scared? Aren\u2019t they demanding horror? Yet here you are, talking about setting aside fear and getting used it! Are you assuming that your readers are idiots who will think exactly like you? You are supposed to recount the situation and tell the story, not just pour down all your own feelings and thoughts. Are you not satisfied with preparing the salad? Do you want to spoon-feed it to them as well? Plus you\u2019ve slipped into third person, which may or may not be intentional. Let\u2019s re-edit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I have to confront his fear and ask for the stories I so desperately want to know. But no sooner than one of the shapes drifts towards me, it abruptly floats away again, back to the other side of the road along with the odour of blood.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018Please, tell me your stories\u2019, I call out. \u2018Only then will I be able to write a story of my own.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

But, just as the shapes begin to mutter \u2018I\u2026..\u2019 or \u2018We\u2026..\u2019 they are carried away on the smoky waves. It is impossible for me to talk to them or to listen. Despite being nauseated by the bloody odour, I decide to approach. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018Can you all please just stay here long enough to finish telling your stories?\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018Hey! You were peeing in your pants when I approached you a moment ago. Now you have changed your tone. All of you are just like that\u2026\u2019 but the bald one with saffron skin vanishes before he\u2019s finished chastising me. The smoke thickens. The smell is turning rotten. The holes on their chests are becoming become larger and wider, so wide that I can now see what\u2019s behind each shape. <\/em><\/p>\n

A booming noise breaks the silence like a thunderclap. The randomly drifting shapes are forming neat rows. They are marching toward me. The rotting, bloody, smoky smells have intensified. I can now see blood seeping out of their hollow chests with my naked eyes. The rows are aligned so precisely that the holes in the chests form a row, a line, the long nozzle of a gun aiming at me. And inside the hollow of that nozzle, I can see more images.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Hmm\u2026now I am truly scared as I write. But how to conclude the story?<\/p>\n

Now that you have created the sense of horror that you wanted, you don\u2019t know how to continue, right? Are you going to opt for an easy escape route just because you are near the end? Now that the salad is all mixed and tossed and arranged attractively on the place, you are not even able to sprinkle a few dried onion shreds on the heap?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I just feel bloated with self-criticism. Damned if I move ahead and damned if I retreat.<\/p>\n

But you must conclude this story somehow. Even if you can\u2019t get a single story out of those shapes. If you don\u2019t, the readers will get frustrated and slam the book shut. Your horror story might turn out to be the kind that doesn\u2019t scare the readers at all, but only haunts the useless writer who created it. That cannot do. So damn the consequences. Just conclude the story!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The images that are deep inside the nozzle are gradually approaching my chest. I can see them now, I even know what they are, but I don\u2019t have the capacity to define them, not yet. I embrace the fear. I try to embrace the horror\u2026even the kind of horror that is so popular with the masses. But ultimately I don\u2019t have the courage to express that kind of horror. The images are still approaching toward my chest.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u2018Stop! Please stop!\u2019 I scream in silence and shut my eyes. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Enough. I no longer wish to continue writing this story.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Please, respect the courage it took to make this request, and let me leave the horror.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Translated by M. Noe and Ellen Wiles<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The main avenue that was bustling just a moment ago is as silent as a desert. What is happening? Skyrocketing fear shoots through my chest and I can\u2019t even walk straight anymore. A spine-tingling shiver runs down my back. Hmm\u2026 I\u2019d say that is at least as good as a standard horror film. It\u2019s been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":18116,"template":"","categories":[50,12],"class_list":["post-18435","stsp_text","type-stsp_text","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-issue-22","category-non-fiction"],"yoast_head":"\nLeaving The Horror - stadtsprachen<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/stadtsprachen.de\/de\/text\/leaving-the-horror\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale:alternate\" content=\"de_DE\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Leaving The Horror - stadtsprachen\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The main avenue that was bustling just a moment ago is as silent as a desert. What is happening? Skyrocketing fear shoots through my chest and I can\u2019t even walk straight anymore. 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What is happening? Skyrocketing fear shoots through my chest and I can\u2019t even walk straight anymore. A spine-tingling shiver runs down my back. Hmm\u2026 I\u2019d say that is at least as good as a standard horror film. 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