#scareuary2025

THE RULES OF THE LABYRINTH

I made it just in time!! We're ending this week's theme with a short episode on Rules of the Labyrinth - in other words, what you can consider when creating the rules by which your maze operates.

If that sounds interesting to you, please give it a listen ^^

SCAREUARY 2025 - THE MAZE

This is a little snippet I wrote based on this premise that I brainstormed a few days ago:

[a catchy advertisement for a new and highly effective anti-aging treatment hooks people in, but when they go to get the treatment, only horrors await…] CW - blood.

It's still pretty bare-bones, because I wrote it quickly in a waiting room, but here you go!

Kenza had always been sensitive to the scent of blood. She could always smell it when someone had a nosebleed or a skinned knee at school, even from the other side of the building. Maybe because she'd had the ability for so long, it never really bothered her. All her years, it had simply been a part of life. People bled. No big deal.

And so, the tiny amount of blood surrounding the gauze pressed up against her peripheral IV did nothing to bother her. Even the scene, which was quite strong, was fading into the back of her mind.

The monitor beside her beeped in rhythm to her heartbeat. Only seven more minutes to go, she told herself. They're preparing my treatment right now. A giddy excitement rumbled in her belly. Fifteen minutes, they'd told her, all reassuring smiles and pink lab coats. It was almost time.

The advertisement had promised a treatment that would slow down the aging process and turn back the years for her body. Literally rejuvenate. Kenza used to scoff at such promises and treatments. Anti-aging creams, serums, pills. Nothing more than a scam.

And yet the years had rushed right past her, and now the middle-aged woman she's blinked and turned into found herself past a point of no return. If she had had a fulfilling life, full of adventure and experiences and memories, perhaps she would have been alright with it. But she hadn't lived her life. She hadn't done anything with it.

That was why she was here, a few months after her 50th birthday, in this quiet, pink-walled clinic. To get another chance. Another lease on life.

She'd done her research, of course. 98% success rate on all patients, regardless of most diseases or conditions. No negative side effects. A proven record. The research was more than promising.

Kenza liked to believe that was what hooked her. Not the promise of youth prolonged or revived during her most desperate of times. She didn't like feeling desperate. She leaned back against the recliner again, closing her eyes. She wasn't desperate. She was smart. She was taking an opportunity. That was what people did to get ahead in life.

It cost a pretty penny to sign up, and seats were limited, but she managed. One of the nice advantages to not having lived her life was her chunky savings account. She crinkled her nose and glanced at the monitor again, looking for the time.

Four more minutes left.

Fifteen minutes, on the dot. That's what they promised. She was so close.

She'd live her life - really and truly - now that she'd have more years to work with. Her heart rate jumped with excitement, and the monitor's beeping followed suit.

This was it.

Finally.

So, why...

Why could she smell the overwhelming scent of blood?

Today's the first of February, so we're easing into Scareuary by starting with The Coppe's Webbe.

The Coppe's Webbe is akin to the idea of studies in art: focusing on one idea/theme so that you can use it to hone your skills. In this case, the word you generate becomes that central idea/theme.

Some of the words in the list are easier to make horror out of than others, but all of them can lend themselves great to a creepy, eerie horror piece if you give them the chance.

(And the ones that seem a little out of left field might actually end up giving you a unique and creative set of stories you wouldn't have thought about writing at all!)

With all of that said, your first mission this month:

Generate your word.

Brainstorm about 5 scary story ideas based around your word.

Share what you've come up with!

If you've generated your word and you're not quite sure how to start weaving your web of stories, try checking out this example from last year. If you're still a little stuck brainstorming story ideas, send an ask and you'll get a list of ideas to get you started.

What are some ways in which you can take a well-known love story and turn it into a horror story?

Consider any love story that you know of - a fairytale, a romantic movie, etc., and share how you might turn it into a scary experience for either one or more of the characters.

Treacherous twists and turns, dubious realities, and the relentless, undeniable fate of meeting one's doom... Let's talk about how we can design the perfect maze for your horror story.

THE MAZE SCHEDULE

February 16: The Concept of Labyrinth in Horror In which we talk about what the concept of the labyrinth means in horror. What does it stand for? Why do we use it? How is it usually manifested in horror literature?

February 17: Endless Mazes and Labyrinth of Mind In which we discuss the ways in which temporal loops can be understood as labyrinth, and how labyrinth can also be applied to the mind. Replaced with: Rules of the Labyrinth

February 21: Story Share Did you write a little something with the theme of the maze? Share it! Why not even give a little reading of it? And why not go even farther: Tell us about how you applied the element of the maze, and why.

This month, I want to give adequate time to feature each theme/event. That's why I've set date ranges. However, that does not mean that you have to do them at the time I will be featuring them.

In other words, even though I've scheduled some fun stuff for The Maze from FEBRUARY 15th -> FEBRUARY 21st, you can take the whole month to do the challenge or decide to do it later on in the month.

Not quite sure how to proceed? Send in an ask!

I will try to compile all Qs into a FAQ post for convenience for next year's Scareuary.

Want to be tagged on posts? Let me know!

I'll set up a tag list so you'll never miss any posts ^^ And remember! Use the #scareuary or #scareuary2025 tag so everyone can find your stuff!

Which do you prefer in horror: the mindless monster or the villain with a plan? Why?

This week is all about the Twisted Hearts theme for this year's Scareuary, so in light of that, we're going to jump into the deep end and discuss why love is scary in the first place!

This will be the first in a series of polls and discussion Qs released today. Chip in, and reblog with any additional ideas you might have about how the topics of the polls could be applied to horror stories.

So, without further ado, the first poll:

Obviously some of these overlap, and I wish I could make it so that you can choose all that apply, but you'll have to choose the biggest most potent fear that you think people have when it comes to romantic relationships and falling in love.

This is an interesting exercise when it comes to figuring out which kind of potential fear you may want to focus on in your Twisted Hearts horror story (or other kind of fiction).

How would you use modern epistolary storytelling techniques in a 'twisted hearts' story?