User blog comment:ChristianWallis/Is the Written Word Scary?/@comment-26399604-20160824160707

Why do I read CreepyPastas or any story really? As you mentioned, for the imagination. I like being submerged into another world.

I can't speak for everyone else, but I'm drawn to the horror genre because it's a chance to peek at the negative possibilities of a situation. I like to wonder if I would make the same decisions - whether I'd succeed (given that was the character's fate) or fail (if that be case instead) at given circumstances.

Is written word scary? Well I believe this can be interpreted the same way as "fear" itself - it is subjective. If a person has read their share of scary stories or seen enough horror movies, then it is possible for them to grow a tolerance to them. That could differ for someone new to the field or one who might be easily frightened.

I think the key not only lies with how well an author writes their story but where the story takes place or the atmosphere created. In my opinion, the more relatable a story is to the reader, the higher the chance it has in drawing them in.

For example, a late-night worker in a city who has to walk home every night might find a story more disturbing if it was about a late-night killer or a creature that came out at the time. They feel more involved with the story because it's a time period they have to endure and in their mind could stand as a possibility. The most powerful element of fear is the unknown - the uncertainty or powerlessness felt in a situation.

It doesn't necessary have to involve the environment because fear can be anything - something as simple as a spider could invoke a reaction. Pacing is another element that can play a major role in it. The build-up, the anticipation, but again this does fall back on the author's skill of writing.

I see myself as veteran when it comes to horror (movies, books, etc) and yet there have been stories that have managed to leave a chill down my spine or had me check over my shoulder as I read them.

So to answer your question, yes, I think written word can be scary. The mind is a powerful tool and with the right use of words, this can be achieved.