March 5th, 2008
Dreadful Thoughts: spooky stories Part 2
Last month, Fústar had a bookish brainwave - to start an online short story club (”Dreadful Thoughts“) with two objectives:
1) to gather interested folk together at a specified time online to discuss a chosen short story. The story will be one found online and culled from the ghost/supernatural/horror genres. If you can’t make the designated time, you can always post your thoughts afterward.
2) to hopefully coax some self-penned 500-word short stories out of people. Now this in no way compulsory for anyone taking part in the general discussions. Feel totally free to contribute to the story discussions of option 1) without ever having to write a story yourself.
So we’re teaming up on this one, and in a fittingly spooky coincidence, it’s exactly two years this week since this post suggesting a blogger book club, but Fústar’s idea works much better given the brevity of the medium. You don’t have to be a blogger to contribute, just someone who likes to read and fancies an informal chat about a designated spooky tale. No academic five-syllableness allowed, just off-the-cuff thoughts. It’s all about being collaborative and steered by ALL the people involved.
As the man himself puts it:
“Unlike the regular posts on this blog which are, essentially, about me and my tastes, inclinations and opinions - I want Dreadful Thoughts to be collaborative and interactive. This blog provides the space for the “club” to meet, that is all. Its “members” dictate the content and operation.
I don’t want (and I can’t stress this enough) people to feel that the Story Club discussions are supposed to be scholarly, academic or any of that scary jazz. The atmosphere/vibe we want is an amicable, chatty, comfortable, welcoming and fun one. Think “friends in a room with a few bottles of wine” discussing unspeakable horrors. That’s the ticket.”
So, Dreadful Thoughts is relaunching and wants to hear from anyone interested in taking part. If you’re interested, leave a comment at or send an email and we can remind you closer to the date.
First up: king of the spooks, M.R. James 1904 story ‘Oh Whistle and I’ll Come To You, my Lad’ (one of those brilliant BBC Christmas ghost stories) which can be read online here:. Head over to chez Fústar at 8pm next Monday, March 10th to discuss it. And feel free to suggest future stories for Dreadful Thoughts.
And speaking of ghosts, apparently I share my surname with a ghost town. Cue spooky orchestral music.
Ok, I’ll stop saying the word “spooky” now.
March 5th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Cool! Have always loved atmospheric stories…quite a few complilations read to death when I was younger! Slightly off topic but came across a great YouTube a while back for the Tell-Tale Heart
March 5th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Great to be able to share this wee project with this blog’s mighty owner. The party has officially started. The sandwiches and rice krispy buns have been laid out. Let us hope the guests (or even ghosts) show up.
March 5th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
[…] The Dreadful Thoughts project begins (like a cauldron of hot blood) to bubble and fizz most satisfactorily - with my comrade Sinéad rallying the troops over at The Sigla Blog. […]
March 5th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
I’m sure that will make for great reading.
Incidentally, I am a silent reader of your blog, which by the way is most excellent indeed. I seen your article tonight and was mighty impressed, it was both inspiring and commendable. I will duly bully everybody I meet into buying Daffodils this Friday.
March 6th, 2008 at 6:13 am
[…] if you don’t fancy hearing/seeing/doing anything related to me, go here and read about Fústar’s plan to rebirth Dreadful Thoughts. First up for us all to read is […]
March 6th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
As an M.R. James devotee, I’d love to participate in this; alas I shall be away next week. Nevertheless, I might return at some point because those 500-word short stories would be a lot of fun to write. Have fun, spooky people.
March 6th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Whoooooo…*ghostly pun-groans* spooktacular!
Great idea on Fustar’s part, the horror aspect makes it a bit of edgy project. Started reading the story already…defo be interested to see what others’ think next week
March 7th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Johnnie,
Please do return. We’ll definitely return to James at some point in the future and you can submit a story at any time. Plus, if you like James you’ll most likely get a kick out of some of the other story club choices.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:53 am
[…] to linky this ages ago. Dreadful Thoughts, the […]
May 19th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Wonderful, wonderful book by a wonderful writer.