But ghosts, goblins, witches, and werewolves would not be half as scary if they didn't have the right backdrop in which to weave their spells and stalk their prey.
Today's post features three of my favorite spooky settings.
1) The windswept moors at night.
You're probably alone but if you're not you have just one friend with you. All that means is that one of you is fodder. Why oh why did you wander off the road? I know those villagers were creepy but they were trying keep you alive!2) Caves
As someone who is claustrophobic, I find caves utterly horrifying. But also fascinating. Caves are nature's labyrinths - mysterious, beautiful and chock full of critters that want to eat you.
3) The gothic manor (of course!)
So many rooms, so much potential for mayhem. Who lives here? Dracula, a witch, a hopeless romantic who just happened to lock his deranged wife in the attic (yes, I think Jane Eyre is horror)?What locations make the best frights for you?
What exactly makes a moor a moor? We walked through a ton of peat bogs in Ireland and I was wondering if they would also be considered moors. I think I like moors most because of the fog that always seems to come with them...
ReplyDeleteTanya
PS. The photo of the moor didn't show up for some reason.
Tanya - Agreed. Moors require fog or creeping mist. I am pondering your query about peat bogs...
ReplyDeleteThose are spooky settings! The woods at night is pretty scary if you ask me.
ReplyDeleteDarkness and fog definitely add spooky to any locale. Perhaps an abandoned barn, an old cellar, a cobwebby attic, a deserted alley?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite misty moor story is more magical than spooky. I was searching for a standing stone circle in Devon, England. It was a remote moor--miles of gently rolling grassland--far from any town. And a rainy mist moved in. Just as I was about to abandon the search due to fear of getting lost, out of the fog loomed the tall, dark stones. I will never forget that sensation of being in another world for that moment.
Love that story, Tricia. And abandoned barn was almost there instead of cave!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to find another history teacher/writer blogger!
ReplyDelete*breaks out in a happy dance*
What do you teach? I've got U.S. History right now.
And I love the gothic picture. I'll be back to visit your blog!
Welcome, Stephanie! I'm teaching a course called American Violence and another on the linked histories of Captivity and Slavery.
ReplyDeleteYour book sounds great - Egyptian history is fascinating!
Those courses sound great, especially the American Violence. I can only imagine the scope of both- so much to cover!
ReplyDeleteEgyptian history is my passion. I wanted to be an Egyptologist, but also wanted to be able to pay my bills. So I write about it instead!
Oh yes, think "Hound of the Baskervilles" from Moors. When I was in the dales I remember feeling quite perturbed.
ReplyDeleteNow, old abandoned schools adn factories get me too as far as settings. Scary.