[Suzanne Hoos]

I am a bit behind in the assignments, mostly because I am technology illiterate. I did not post my first assignment because I clicked the wrong button. So, here goes…

Because I’m not a blood and gore type of horror fan, I watched (for the 3rd time) MIDNIGHT MASS on Netflix. My kind of horror is subtle and not in one’s face. My kind of monster is the human being.

Assignment 1

Concept: MIDNIGHT MASS

Terrorize: Some “thing” is on Crockett Island

Isolation: Crockett Island-the only way out is by ferry.

Death: first come the death of the cats, then minor characters, then major characters; in fact everyone on the island except two young people. It’s a blood bath.

Monster: Winged Angel (bad angel)

High Tension: Miracles are happening to the characters which causes them to believe in the angel. The climax is when everyone becomes “vampire-like” creatures.

Departure for Reality: Vampires

Moral Statement: Religious overtones.

*******

I have written chapters for my story titled OFFERING. If it doesn’t become a screenplay, it will definitely become a novel for that’s what I write. I have not fleshed out most of the parts because I’m a “pantser”. So, here goes:

Concept: OFFERING

Terrorize: Dark Arts/Cult/Human sacrifice

Isolation: Small beach town called Cape Creed

Death: ??

Monster/Villain: Most of the people in Cape Creed

High Tension: Protagonist’s young daughter will be impregnated by cult leader. Baby will be sacrificed

Departure from reality: Devil Worship

Moral statement: ??

Assignment 2

The Monster.

What I learned: The words that describe the “monster” or “villain” are close to what I am writing. The human factor is important to me. No one suspects the evil to come from regular people–except me, of course. So, unique, unknown, and terrifying are words I can deal with.

Terror of monster: There will be a leader of this cult, but I’m not sure who that will be. I have two handsome gentlemen that will be in competition to woo the protagonist. I’m not sure yet who to make the “good guy”.

Mystery: The villain will be in plain sight. To me, that’s what makes this scary. No one knows who to trust.

Appearance: What is more fearful than a nice-looking human being with really bad intentions?

Rules: Group is cursed to do horrible things or they will no longer exist. Must find a descendant of the Wilkes clan.

Mythology: Cult dates back to colonial times when a curse was put upon the land on which they lived. Human sacrifice made the land tenable.

I realize this is a much different plot than most of the writers here; however, this is the subtle horror I enjoy.

[Suzanne Hoos]

I’m not sure if this is the place to post that first assignment, but here goes:

When Kendra Daynes learns of her estranged mother’s suicide, she and her fourteen year-old daughter, Camryn, go to Cape Creed, New Jersey, the town in which her mother had lived.

But dealing with her mother’s affairs has Kendra reliving her troubled past, that as a youth was filled with secrets, lies, and danger.

Not knowing whom to trust in the sleepy beach town, Kendra trusts no one, except for the dashingly handsome Dr. Devin Hunter who quickly becomes her fiend, her confidant, and eventually, her lover.

But now, those ominous secrets, lies, and dangers have suddenly reappeared, only this time they have come for Camryn.

And when Kendra finally discovers her family’s terrifying history, will she be able to break the curse and save her daughter–or will it be too late for both of them?

A. Monster: Various townies of Cape Creed

B. Terror: Dark Arts (cult)

C. Environment: Cape Creed

D. Victims: Kendra and Camryn Daynes

Primal Fears:

A. the unknown

B. the unseen

C. fear of pain and torture

D. fear of death

[Suzanne Hoos]

Hi, all.

I’m Suzanne. I’m an author of 10 books in the romance genre–my latest one came out this month. I am contracted for several more over the next three years. I’ve dabbled with scripts but nothing seriously. Once in the 90s, I did come in second (of course, that’s “first loser” in an Act One screenwriting contest where I adapted one of my books in a partial script.

Better storytelling is what I hope to get out of this class. Structure, as well. I’m what they call a “pantser” not a “plotter” and I hope this course will help in plotting.

I’ve been writing since I was young, but became serious back in the early 90s when I was published in Gothic books. From there I moved on to historical romance, contemporary romance, dystopian, and horror. Quite the trip! I just love to write.

I am also a language arts teacher to a bunch of miscreant middle schooler (whom I really love) and have been teaching for 50 years. It is time to retire and concentrate on my writing.

Now, though I am basically a romance writer, I’ve always had this horror story in my head. It’s not a monster-type of story but a dark arts/devil worship thing. So, I guess I’ll see where I fit in with this group.

Oh, and as for something unique–there’s nothing. I’m boring…and that’s why I write. I live vicariously through my characters.

It’s nice meeting you all, and I hope you’ll find my brand of “horror” interesting enough to let me stay and learn.

[Suzanne Hoos]

Suzanne H.

I agree to the terms of this release form.

As a member of this group, I agree to the following:

1. That I will keep the processes, strategies, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class confidential, and that I will NOT share any of this program either privately, with a group, posting online, writing articles, through video or computer programming, or in any other way that would make those processes, teleconferences, communications, lessons, and models of the class available to anyone who is not a member of this class.

2. That each writer’s work here is copyrighted and that writer is the sole owner of that work. That includes this program which is copyrighted by Hal Croasmun. I acknowledge that submission of an idea to this group constitutes a claim of and the recognition of ownership of that idea.

I will keep the other writer’s ideas and writing confidential and will not share this information with anyone without the express written permission of the writer/owner. I will not market or even discuss this information with anyone outside this group.

3. I also understand that many stories and ideas are similar and/or have common themes and from time to time, two or more people can independently and simultaneously generate the same concept or movie idea.

4. If I have an idea that is the same as or very similar to another group member’s idea, I’ll immediately contact Hal and present proof that I had this idea prior to the beginning of the class. If Hal deems them to be the same idea or close enough to cause harm to either party, he’ll request both parties to present another concept for the class.

5. If you don’t present proof to Hal that you have the same idea as another person, you agree that all ideas presented to this group are the sole ownership of the person who presented them and you will not write or market another group member’s ideas.

6. Finally, I agree not to bring suit against anyone in this group for any reason, unless they use a substantial portion of my copyrighted work in a manner that is public and/or that prevents me from marketing my script by shopping it to production companies, agents, managers, actors, networks, studios or any other entertainment industry organizations or people.

This completes the Group Release Form for the class.

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  Suzanne Hoos.