Category Archives: CT

Why Spooky Stories

Why Spooky Stories?

 

I have been asked, why tell spooky stories?

I immediately ask the person to define spooky for me. I have found that often the term spooky is closely misaligned with horror, it is not horror,!  I don’t tell, write or read horror, it’s not my thing. I think of spooky as a scenario that makes you wonder, could that be? I don’t share with blood, gore or gruesome dismembered figures, that is horror.

A camp favorite event is spooky tales by the fire. You might wonder why, I believe young people want to test their bravery, find delight in the adrenaline rush, and experience the drama in a safe environment of camp is highly entertaining.

A definition of spooky is: sinister or ghostly in a way that causes fear and unease, I like that unease part!

Here are some synonyms for spooky: creepy, chilling, eerie, supernatural, scary, mysterious, ghostly

 

My writing and telling leans toward the mysterious ghostly. I like combining spooky with historical fiction. I hope to attract young people to learn more about history through an introduction to it via a spooky story. I have noted they listen closer and remember more detail in the heightened alert of a spooky tale. When it is done, they sigh with relief and moments later ask for another story.

I have been working on a forthcoming book project Thirteen Spooky Tales – From Mysterious Connecticut There are thirteen, because what a great number to have with all its connotations with bad luck and all. These stories come from towns in Connecticut mostly east of the river. A story from Farmington is among them because it touched me so and the connection was so strong I had to include it.

Lantern in the moonlight #spooky

This book project is in production now, but I have learned not to bank on setting a date too soon. Of course, October is the ultimate time to launch this book on its eerie journey. I should have a better idea of my timeline in the next couple of weeks. With my eye on that target date, I am moving forward with production plans with my editor and book designer. Follow my blog and social media for updates. Let me know if you want to join my quarterly newsletter for some insider info.

A Christmas Tree Story

Sharing a short fiction story for your reading pleasure and wishing you the best of the season. A Christmas Tree Story By: Carolyn Stearns The wind blew over the hill in bursts of violent cold. The snow was trampled along the paths, but between the rows of Christmas trees, the snow lay deep and untouched.… Continue Reading

Fiona’s Viral Post

      Her name is Fiona, she is one of many beautiful calves at Mountain Dairy in Storrs/Mansfield Connecticut. www.mountaindairy.com  What is so special about her has been the reaction a photo of her received on Facebook. Mountain Dairy is our family farm. My grandchildren are the 11th generation. I take care of social media for… Continue Reading

5 Ways to Preserve Family Stories

The teen sat on the park bench, hungry, tired, jobless, a boy of New Haven, Connecticut. He wondered what the world would hold for him. He sat staring into space, after awhile his focus landed on a beautiful girl across the street, near the corner of Church and Chapel Streets. She was made of wood! It was… Continue Reading

Bald Eagle  Internet Sensation & My  Hawk

Bald Eagle Internet Sensation & My Hawk

Feeling Patriotic? We are! Humbled by the majesty of our National Bird the Eagle and by the  tenderness of motherhood over 100,000 at once have been logged onto the u-stream live cam from Decorah Iowa watching these Eagles hatch. Now that is viral video! We still need connections with nature and beauty and the magic of birth… Continue Reading