Winners: Laura and Kairee have won autographed copies of my latest release! Thanks for reading and posting, everyone!If you've read any of my Intrigues, the title of this post probably doesn't come as any surprise. I love scary stuff. Stephen King is one of my top five favorite authors. I see every horror movie that comes around, usually at the theater (and am often disappointed when they're not good). I've had this romance with creepy since elementary school.
I think the reason I love it so much is that I've never been truly scared by it. I think I'm hoping one day I will be. That one night after watching a horror movie, I'll have to turn on every light in the house and sleep upright, with a knife in one hand, Mace in the other, and one eye open. But it hasn't happened. I can watch the most creepy, gruesome movie ever and then go straight to sleep without a hitch.
When I was a child, my mom used to worry about me because I wasn't afraid of anything. It's sorta a double-edged sword, right? You don't want your child to be afraid of everything, thus limiting their life, but you don't want them to have no fear and possibly walk into major trouble.
Now, not being scared does not mean I'm not aware. I'm very perceptive. I notice shifts in the general mood in people and places. I get that uneasy feeling when I've entered certain places or met some people. I sit with my back to walls and facing openings in restaurants. I automatically check for every escape route, just in case things "go down." My perception, especially when it's bad, is not something I ignore. Perhaps that perception, lack of fear, and always preparing for the worst is what makes me a good mystery/suspense writer. I don't have to go looking for plots; I imagine them around every waiter and salesclerk and parking lot cone.
So far, all my Intrigues have had a gothic-lite tone. That's intentional and something I hope to keep doing as long as you guys like reading them.
What about you? Do you love the creepy or do you avoid it? If you love it, what's your favorite movie or book?
Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of my current release, THE LOST GIRLS OF JOHNSON'S BAYOU. Please leave a contact email in your post with the following format so that it cannot be scraped: emailname (at) yahoo (dot) com.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!
Jana DeLeon
Hi Jana,
ReplyDeleteI love a creepy book, but not at night right before I go to sleep. Too many weird dreams. I will read a creeepy book during the day
sorry I forgot my email
Deleteyenastone at aol dot com
Hey Jana !!
ReplyDeleteGhost stories...the ones that are right on the edge of realaity. You know, the kind that make you think "That happened to me."
~Angi
I don't mind creepy books so much, but I wouldn't watch a creepy film. I read a Harlequin Historical novella recently in the book 'Haloween Husbands' that scared the *&^% out of me!
ReplyDeletepageturner345@gmail.com
Hi Tammy - You know, I've had several friends say they put down my books at night. I think that's a huge compliment. If you have to enjoy your creepy during daylight hours, that's good, too. :)
ReplyDeleteAngi - yep, I love those. If you can see yourself in that situation, the creepy is SOOOOOO much better.
ReplyDeletepageturner - what book was that? I am not a huge historical reader but I have friends that would probably love it. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the kind of creepy that you write. Loved the first two Intrigues, and absolutely looking forward to more.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading Jana's writing. All of her books are 5 stars plus. This book was excellent.
ReplyDeleteI love the stories about the bayous--just the scenery is enough to creep me out!
ReplyDeleteporter 6 seven seven 1 @gmail.com
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I like creepy in books... not a creepy film lover.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gayle! I have more coming at the end of the year, and they're creepy. :)
ReplyDeleteAnn - Thanks so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed Lost Girls!
ReplyDeleteKairee - some of the swamp can be very creepy all on it's own, that's for sure. Especially the areas with thick cypress trees and all that hanging moss.
ReplyDeleteColleen - is it the creepy you don't like in film or gore? Too many people think gore = horror movie. I see no point in gore for no reason. I don't find that creepy at all.
ReplyDeleteI do not like gore mostly... but I tend to cover my eyes for the creepy...
DeleteI am not usually afraid of anything except maybe heights and snakes other then that I can about deal with it. So I will read anything.
ReplyDeleteQuilt Lady - I will not run from snakes, but I don't want a pet one. I hate spiders, though.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy creepy and gory mysteries. I love Kay Hooper's Bishop series and Clive Barker(horror genre.)
ReplyDeletejanie1215 AT excite DOT com
I don't mind creepy books.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
bn100 - Good! I sorta think anyone who won't read creepy is missing something. :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes I like creepy books and movies. Other times I'd rather read about or watch something else.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind creepy but not too.creepy! Lol I really enjoyed your books and look forward to this one. Here is my email although it might be to late: fantum2004 (at) sbcglobal (dot) net
ReplyDeletechey - I agree. I definitely have to be in the mood for something.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laura! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying my books and that they're not "too" creepy. :)
ReplyDeleteYou're not late. I am. Just getting around to drawing. Winners posted/notified shortly!