SLCLS Genre Study discussion

I was in a discussion with another person the other day and she contended that romantic horror is not horror. Could the same be said for humorous horror? I contended that horror has a broad spectrum from very light to splatterplunk. A book with horror elements such a vampire or werewolf or humor falls into the very light category. What do you think?

Totally agree. The light touch can give the reader some relief before starting in on the dread again. Maybe a new genre "light horror".

"Maybe this Time" by Jennifer Crusie. Had ghosts, haunted house, stoic/scared children, nasty housekeeper, and an ex who won't go away.

I think that horror can definitely have some humor or romance in it. For those of us that get scared easily it helps ease the tension for a little while.

Hmm, interesting question. I think just considering it helps with Reader's Advisory...There's a longstanding link between Horror and Romance, via Gothics.

I think people work out their issues in fiction.This is why I have a problem with "genres". I don't like to read things that are in packages because life isn't that neat. Romance can turn into horror and become true crime. That's how life is.

Ooo! Insightful W. So I have a question. When does Mystery cross over to horror?

I think it crosses over to the dark side of horror any time it focuses more on fear and dread (and not necessarily blood and guts) than police and the "who done it" stuff.

I totally agree--romance and horror have a lot of crossovers. The spooky elements can be used to drive two characters together. They can join in hunting the scary creatures.

I think that books with vampires, werewolves, ghots, etc that are not scary are fantasy.

I still think you can have a really scary book that has a few humorous elements, but in general, it just doesn't have that horror feel for most books. It's definitely a fine line. Usually humorous horror, to me, fall more in the paranormal.