Member Introduction Form

[joysilence]

LJ-SEC: (ORIGINALLY POSTED BY cloudhurler)

Name:

E.S.

Where do you live:

Superior, WI

What do you do with yourself:

I have worked as a Librarian and as a Postal Galley Slave. At the moment I am unemployed and caring for my ailing father; as such, I am also struggling to not have a nervous episode.

Favourite horror or ghost story author, and why:

Gilbert Sorrentino's dictum is that "form not only determines content but form invents content." I have no argument whatsoever with that. Whereas Nabokov put forth "Style and structure are the essence of a book; great ideas are hogwash." I agree with the first clause and understand the second -- although I do not wholly agree with it. That being so, my favorite horror author is in all likelihood Thomas Ligotti -- the preeminent stylist amongst contemporary horror authors. However, when Ligotti marries his exquisite prose to a strong narrative he seems the preeminent author amongst contemporary horror authors. That is not to say, though, that he belabors his fiction with one style for his voice is protean; furthermore, his most recent work finds him undertaking both new themes and forms. That is, he is a great author getting better.

Favourite horror-film and director:

Black Christmas, The Brood, The Changeling, The Devil's Backbone, Don't Look Now, The Tenant, The Thing -- as much as I love the previous, and many more unmentioned, it is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre that holds pride of place in my heart. My favorite director of horror is David Cronenberg: I love most of his films, but quite simply he is more consistent than any other director of horror. However, if Richard Stanley helms more films, and if Guillermo Del Toro works more frequently outside of the studio system, Cronenberg's position could be usurped.

How did you get into horror/the supernatural:

I had a difficult upbringing and I looked to artificial horror as an escape from the horrific in life. There is catharsis in like pains: some people cut themselves and I look to horror. Although, of late, it seems insufficient.

Ever had any strange, inexplicable and/or scary experiences of your own:

I witnessed a very disturbing sight about six years ago. It was a starless summer night, and needing to turn in for the evening, a friend was bringing me home. In order to avoid the traffic lights, my friend drove down a poorly-lit street behind our Public Library. However, on the corner near the Library there was a streetlight. In the distance we observed a figure underneath the streetlight, but thought nothing of it; however, nearing the cone of light the tableau before us left us unnerved. Beneath the streetlight a nude man sat in a chair; his head was tilted forward so his eyes were masked by shadows. A mannequin was situated in such a manner as to suggest that it was fellating him. As we drove by, his head turned with us, but as his head was titled down we never saw his eyes -- only black pits and a slight grin.

Have your say! What do you think about the community? How could it be improved?

Well, it is skookum and whatnot, but you could review Prime Evil sometime soon.