If it Acts Like a Human...It Could Be Your Next Monster, by Stephanie Barnfather
If it Acts Like a Human...It Could Be Your Next Monster, by Stephanie Barnfather
A craft article
It’s a typical day. You wake up, shower, dress, then visit your local caffeine dispensary on your way to work. As you wait in line for your quad grande Americano with six pumps of white mocha and a sprinkling of nutmeg, an atypical customer cuts in front of you and places an order for their entire office; without so much as a ‘pardon me, ma’am, but do you mind enabling my disorderly conduct?’
People are generally trusted to have good intentions. But if it walks like a monster and talks like a monster then—you betcha—that line-cutting customer is probably a monster. But they don’t have fangs, spikes, or glowing red eyes that make their inner evil obvious—unlike the fictional creatures that roam the pages of horror stories.
While creepy claws are a genre ‘must,’ sometimes the scariest beasts in books are the ones with whom we’re familiar. How can you combine behaviours we encounter every day with the abnormal demons from our dreams? Surrealism!
Surrealism was an art movement in the 20th century that strove to make the invisible visible; the unknown known; the sublime blime.* If you want to craft characters who cause chaos and commit crimes, use these Surrealist precepts to guide your writing.
1. Express the Subconscious Mind: You know that odd thought you had when you were half-asleep? Make it a characteristic of the serial killer in your WIP. You know that strange impulse you had while you were driving the Trans Canada from Moosejaw to Winnipeg? I’m glad you didn’t swerve into Saskatchewan’s never-ending wheat fields, but maybe the cows in your short story could mutate after eating too much canola.
2. Redefine the Status Quo: Some people blow through red traffic lights. Make your villains blow up traffic lights, regardless of colour. Some people won’t tip their servers if their dining experience isn’t exemplary. Make your fiends eat their server then devour the sous-chef and the restaurant’s host: that’ll teach them for not offering a cheese course before dessert.
3. Challenge Conventional Descriptions: * I know ‘blime’ isn’t a word. But it illustrates this point. Ha!
4. Embrace Randomness and the Unpredictable:
There once was an author from Olds
Whose heart was stagnant and cold
Her stories were weird
Her crow had a beard
And she wasn’t very good at writing Limericks
Surrealism has inspired countless storytellers to twist the truth and unsettle our souls. Will you be one of them?
About the Author:
Stefanie Barnfather is a Canadian author. Previously, she worked for the Calgary Board of Education as a high school arts and inclusion educator. Stefanie graduated with honours from Sheridan College's Music Theatre - Performance program, and has a BFA and BED in fine arts from the University of Calgary. When she isn’t writing, Stefanie enjoys painting, hiking, and spending time with her husband and pug.
Her debut collection of short stories - You Know What I Think? - ranked first on the Calgary Herald's bestselling fiction list in 2023.
Stefanie's second novel - Beneath the Birch Trees - releases 09/24.
Follow her on Instagram and TikTok @stefbarnfather