Group scares up chilling stories
BY LARRY RAPPOPORT Correspondent

ANDREW MILLER staff Jonathan Maberry discusses the art of writing for the horror genre during a meeting of the Garden State Horror Writers at the Middletown Public Library. Book covers reflect the diversity of the "dark genre."

Garden State Horror Writers offers support for writers of dark genre What frightens you? Is it a tarantula the size of a Hummer? A psychologically deranged killer? Or perhaps dinner with the in-laws?

There's one group in New Jersey that you might say is an authority on the subject of fear.

Enter the Garden State Horror Writers (cue the spooky haunted mansion music). This Monmouth County-based group helps horror writers lure you into the landscape of terror.

The GSHW also helps writers cope with that other horror: trying to get published.

"Before I joined Garden State Horror Writers, I had no idea what I was doing or what direction to go in," said Gary Frank, a horror novelist and president of the GSHW. "Some of the older published members helped me get direction and focus."

Though experience varies widely, the writers in this group all share a passion for one thing: horror. So what is it about horror that's so intriguing to these writers? According to Frank, horror explores humanity's dark side and brings to light the shadows in all of us. It's one of the few genres to do that.

"It also explores the strength of the human spirit to overcome adversity," Frank said.

Frank is quick to note that characters in horror stories are flawed from the start. It is through adversity that the characters find strength within themselves they never knew they had. Readers identify with the characters and realize that if these flawed characters can overcome adversity, they can, too.

"It's also a lot of fun having the freedom to be as spooky and scary as possible," Frank said.

But it's not for everybody. Frank claims that horror writers are inherently different from other writers.

"You have to have a mind for exploring the darkness in yourself," Frank said. "It's not easy to confront your greatest fears."

In 2003, Frank saw his first horror novel, "Forever Will You Suffer," published. And he is now readying for the release of his second book in November 2008 titled "Institutional Memory." Frank credits the group with helping him to streamline the opening of the novel.

With 45-50 active members, the group has become so popular they have added other genres besides horror, such as science fiction, mystery and suspense. Members come from all over New Jersey and as far as Warwick, N.Y., and Pennsylvania.

Level of experience in GSHW is diverse. For instance, Jack Passarella has had seven novels published, including a takeoff on the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" series. Others are just starting. Having seasoned and novice writers in the group allows for a lively give and take.

Like Frank, they come to GSHW to be with other writers who "get it," writers who understand the trials and tribulations of writing horror in a society that increasingly frowns upon horror as a legitimate writing genre.

They also come to be in a community that welcomes them. Frank remembers meeting renowned horror writer Mort Castle at an event years ago.

Somebody helped Castle get where he was. Now he wanted to help others, just as horror writer Pat Graverson envisioned when she created the GSHW 17 years ago. Its mission: "Helping writers bring dark fantasy into the mainstream."

The Garden State Horror Writers (www.gshw.net) provides its members with the tools they need to get published. These may include critiques, market news updates or publishing tips. Also, monthly appearances by experts such as writers, editors and agents educate members on everything from weaving a suspenseful horror novel to tackling the publishing world.

Frank was amazed and happy to find a community like Garden State Horror Writers. After being in the group for several years, Frank is now excited to be in a role where he can give back.

"I like being here in a capacity to help direct people," Frank said.

"Having people around who know what the struggle is like makes this writing thing a little easier."