Horror

Horror stories create a feeling of dread and suspense in the reader. They may include supernatural elements such as ghosts, vampires and curses or more realistic elements such as murder. Settings are normally dark and isolated and typically include graveyards, forests, haunted houses, tunnels, dungeons etc. In our library horror books are indicated with this sticker 4

Many horror stories are designed to teach a moral lesson such as good defeating evil, facing our inner demons, or overcoming fear of the unknown.

This week's task is to post an entry for PLC's version of the [|Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest]. This contest awards prizes for the **worst** opening sentence of an imaginary novel. The contest is named after Edward Bulwer-Lytton, whose famous opening sentence to his novel, //Paul Clifford,// was judged the worst of all time. In fact, the phrase "It was a dark and stormy night.." has now become part of our popular culture. Have a look at the competition website to see some "winners" then click on **discussion** and post your own execrable opening sentence. A prize will be awarded to the winner.

** --Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, //Paul Clifford// //(1830)// ** ||
 * // ** "It was a dark and stormy night; ** // ** the rain fell in torrents--except at occasional intervals, when it was checked by a violent gust of wind which swept up the streets (for it is in London that our scene lies), rattling along the housetops, and fiercely agitating the scanty flame of the lamps that struggled against the darkness." **