Why Would You Deliberately Scare Yourself?

Just why would any sane person go out of their way to knowingly immerse themselves in something terrifying?

Humans do race at shockingly fast speeds on a race track. Some choose to walk tight-ropes across vast gaping canyons while others willingly surf mountainous waves. Why?

It's for the rush, man...

You know that feeling, I'm sure at some point in your life you've felt it too to a degree. The heart pounding like drum in your chest. The rapid, shallow breathing where you might suffocate. Those icy fingers trickling disturbingly down your spine. Okay, you get the idea.

Some risk-takers seek out death-defying actions. But for the rest of us, would we?

Would you do something that will scare the living daylights of yourself? Of course not, it doesn't make sense.

Except, it does.

As an author of fiction, and particularly strange, thought-provoking and especially scary fiction stories, it's my job to creep you out. One of my stories might have you laughing like a drain one minute then jumping out of your skin the next. I write this material with these reactions purposely in mind. And, part of the human condition helps me get those desired reactions.

We can enjoy the thrill of being tossed around on a seemingly uncontrolled, thrilling amusement park ride. We seek out the chance to scream at the spooks and jump scares in the haunted house attraction. People simply love the thrill of a scary experience. We love the adrenaline rush just like the surfers and the race car drivers.

It is for basically this same reason the race car driver gets behind the wheel that some of us choose to watch horror movies and read scary fiction. It's human nature, it is part of what makes us who we are. However, we know it is a safe option. Taking your life in your hands for an adrenaline rush is one thing but for most it is just a little too extreme. But a person still craves excitement, that little jolt of a more rapid heartbeat, a tingling sensation racing over the flesh. You're not willing to risk killing your darn self over it though. In that case, go for the easier option, get your blood pumping with a scary book!

Fiction books by the likes of Stephen King are bought by the millions. Fans love his work because it is fantastically entertaining. It also gives the reader those same jump scares and the same thrills but without the danger of experiencing it for real. Ultimately the reader knows it is not real life but can suspend belief for a little while and taste the danger and excitement.

The simple act of reading a good dose of scary fiction can deliver the thrills and chills and, when enough is enough, you simply close the book and walk away unharmed.

James Lamb is an author of short stories and longer fiction mainly in the horror genre. To discover more and to read some FREE short fiction go directly to his author website and blog.