Comment from mfowler

Excellent

Don't like acrostics, especially ones whose first lines makes fun of the question (almost verbatim) that I asked you when I first encountered your work. But, I do like this poem because it informs, explains your motivations and does it in style. I reviewed a piece of yours the other day which won the contest, I believe. I was convinced by that that you could write anything, but after enjoying the dogs ripping the escaped prisoner to death, I just don't want to read about butterflies with gossamer wings from you. I know the poor little critters would be fried in one of those bug zappers by the last line..

 Comment Written 09-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 09-Mar-2014

Hah ha, you asked me that question too? My friend, I can not tell you how many times people ask me that very question. I was in no way making or poking fun at anyone for asking, and certainly not yourself, truly. I don't mind them asking, it's just so hard to put a finger on the answer.

I'm not a huge fan of acrostics either, but I'd entered the site contest a while back and had never recalled seeing one done with a horror theme. I'm sure it has been, I just haven't seen one yet.

Your last statement makes a great point as well. When we watch Jim Carrey in a film, do we want to see him in a serious role, or as his comedic, whacky self? For me, I think he's a modern-day Jerry Lewis, and it's hard for me to take him seriously. Same thing goes for writers we like to read. Do we care to see Clive Barker write a book of children's poems? Hell no! He'd scare them all to death!

Again, 'm', I wasn't making fun. I wholeheartedly appreciate everyone who take the time to read & review what I've written.

Have yourself a great week, my friend.

reply by mfowler on 09-Mar-2014

No offence at all. I was being sardonic, just having fun.

reply by the author on 09-Mar-2014

No worries, mfowler, I kinda' figured you were...

:}

Comment from Dorothy Farrell

Exceptional

This is such a good acrostic - your answer to criticism as to why you write about horror all the time. And your answer I think is in your two lines R & R - 'Respectfully I let them know there's evil everywhere - Reality's far scarier to me OUTSIDE the monster's lair'. Well written acrostic and so true. Regards Dorothy

 Comment Written 09-Mar-2014

Comment from Kenneth Schaal

Excellent

I think you put fear into proper perspective in the 4th line, and in creating your own horror stories, you are able to control the fear, give it a discipline, assign it a place of residency so we can visit it rather than have to live with it. Kenny

 Comment Written 09-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 09-Mar-2014

A very insightful observation, Kenny, and after having read your own outstanding work, I can certainly understand why. I am very grateful for your outstanding review, my friend.

Comment from judester

Excellent

Yes don't we all love a good scare, knowing that we are actually safe.Bring on the dopamine. Great poem and I look forward to reading more from you, cheers Judester

 Comment Written 09-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 09-Mar-2014

Thank you, Judester. Most of us do, we just don't know WHY we do. Even more allusive is answer to the question, "Geesh! How can you write that creepy, eerie stuff?" There's not really a clear-cut answer. Perhaps it is because horror writers create fictional monsters so we can better deal with the real ones. Who can say, for sure?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me, as well as for an outstanding review.

Comment from humpwhistle

Excellent

Evidently you get these kinds of questions frequently.
Frankly, I'm more apt to ask a writer of rainbows and kites what he finds so interesting about them.
I believe some people write just to emulate others. But most of us write about what interests us.
I don't read much horror, but I don't read romance, either. And I'm sure my writing reflects my reading.

Stephen King is abused when labeled a horror writer. He usually writes about people--often including various elements that evoke fear.

There should be no stigma attached to any writing genre.
The stigma belongs to the horrific writers.

Peace, Lee

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 Comment Written 09-Mar-2014

Comment from Shirley E Kennedy

Exceptional

Thanks for clarifying just what it is that makes the horror mindset present itself in your poems-it's the fans - right.
You go to all that trouble to give horror your best shot-shake our very foundations with amazing words and pictapoems.
Okay, I'll concede that you are usually successful.
Then the bleeding fans give you a six star review and horror is reborn.

 Comment Written 09-Mar-2014

Comment from comanalbert

Excellent

I used to read Stephen King a lot. That book , Hotel I think it is the name, got me to wet my knickers with all those bushes shaped in animals that came to live, and that lady dead in the bat tube got me unwashed for weeks...Yet, I believe the real world has its scary bits enough to make not want more..Yet, I traded King for you, and you are a hand/mind full....

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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 09-Mar-2014

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reply by the author on 09-Mar-2014

Ah, you must be referring to King's book, "The Shining". The Overlook Hotel, as it was named in the book, is a real hotel called The Stanley Hotel, located in Estses Park, Colorado. No REDRUM flows here in reality, and it is a beautiful old historic landmark.

Thanks for the awesome review, comanalbert. I appreciate it. Oh, and keep those knickers dry (LOL)...

Comment from Righteous Riter

Exceptional

This piece meets the criteria of the acrostic poem as the piece spells out the words horror writer. Good use of the aabb rhyme scheme. Good end rhyming. Good alliteration with evil/everywhere...dark/don't/demands...truth/told...feeling/free...to/terrify. Good internal rhyming with light/right...told/cold. Good complimentary photo followed by a clear message.

 Comment Written 09-Mar-2014

Comment from Angel Blessings

Exceptional

Excellent Acrostic poem! loved the entire presentation, easy reading , good rhyming, good rhythm, good imagery. good luck on the contest. Angel Blessings

 Comment Written 09-Mar-2014