Weird Fiction: An Introduction
Weird Fiction: An Introduction
What is weird fiction?
Due to the crossover between genre’s (Horror, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, etc.) it is often hard to tell which is which in todays market. The way I differentiate such things is based on the intent of the author. Herein lies a substantial difference; unfortunately intent is not always known and therefore another method must be applied to the mix.
When dealing with Weird Fiction, one must really exam what it is that differentiates it. Many abandon the genre all together as it really is a mixture of both Sci-Fi and horror; but where Horror may only exist to frighten and Sci-Fi merely to astound, weird fiction takes a deeper root (thus also why Weird Fiction is considered the Father of Sci-Fi and Horror).
Personally I believe the difference between Weird Fiction and other forms of fiction, such as Horror and Sci-fi, lies within the stories setting and tone. Weird Fiction harbors a different tone than pure sci-fi and pure horror. Weird fiction delves deeper into the maccabre by exploring the violent and sexual nature of humanity; this is accomplished by the methodical dehumanization and the inevitable plunge into insanity and psychosis due to the finding of revelations or facts that can’t be comprehended by the human mind.
Sci-Fi and Horror often use such a platform and thus really become categories under the genre of Weird Fiction.
The Authors (More may be added later)
H.P. Lovecraft
Edgar Allan Poe
Algernon Blackwood
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
William Hope Hodgson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Arthur Machen
I will be delving into, as much as I can, their writing process and the stories they wrote. I am looking to give you as a reader a deeper understanding of the authors and of their genre.
Writing: A Mini-Series
I have oft been told that writing has very little to do with design, especially “visual design.” I believe this to be a major misconception; if a picture is worth a thousand words, than a thousand words must be worth a picture. Less even I believe hence the famous short story by Ernest Hemmingway; ”For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Which conjures up all sorts of images. For centuries stories both oral and written have created images in the minds of human beings. Sure Illustrations can help, but the imagination has no bounds without them.
It is for this reason I feel my “writing” about “writing” is necessary and valid. It is the images that are in our minds that are put to brush and chisel. When we read or listen we form images in our heads almost like a mini-movie theatre. Stories both oral and written are important because they expand our imaginations and no longer limit us to what we see with our eyes. They enable us to visualize and to create the vast array of images that are produced all throughout the world.
For my first series I am going to visit the genre known as “Weird Fiction.” If well received (or if I just feel like it 
) I will continue on to other genres such as Folk Tales and Science Fiction.
