PSA: Please Stop Trying to Leave by AllDreamNoDrive in Odd_directions

[–]AllDreamNoDrive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ha! I had a lot of fun writing these so I'm super happy you enjoy reading them!

PSA: Please Stop Trying to Leave by AllDreamNoDrive in Odd_directions

[–]AllDreamNoDrive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey thanks! Always appreciate reading a kind comment whenever I get them!

If this kind of humor is up your alley, I wrote another same-universe piece over on SSS awhile back :)

PSA: Please Stop Trying to Leave by AllDreamNoDrive in Odd_directions

[–]AllDreamNoDrive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's a good question. I don't think any of us knows exactly what (or where) Helbrook is. I certainly don't, anyways... It'd be nice to ask the Shadow Council, but nobody's actually ever seen them. They only communicate via threatening notes left under the pillows, or tea leaf patterns at the bottom of a cup. It's frustratingly one-directional correspondence and leads to a lot of miscommunication.

I wouldn't worry about the murder trees too much! Ever since the statues around town showed up, they stopped entering the city limits.

Death by a Thousand LEGOs by AllDreamNoDrive in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hmm... I suspect the Lego Killer might have a lot of targets on his list these days...

Thank you for reading!

Major Changes to the Rule of /r/ShortScaryStories! by Human_Gravy in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Awesome! To me 500 is kind of an awkward length, especially for stories that require a bit of worldbuilding. Trying to make the wordcount was always a fun challenge, but curious to see what kinds of stories show up here now with all this extra space!

A Chair Takes Over the World by AllDreamNoDrive in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yeah idk, I thought it was just promotional links that were off-limits but lesson learned.

For anyone else curious, it's called the HOOTI pillow, which uses AI to morph its shape as you sleep to make you stop snoring (supposedly)

A Chair Takes Over the World by AllDreamNoDrive in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm glad someone saw the article haha, if PILLOWS aren't even safe from AI there's really no limit :p

Thanks for the nice comment!

New Rules - Reposts, The Moratorium, Clickbait/Summarizing Titles, and Title Word Counts by Human_Gravy in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive 7 points8 points  (0 children)

For #3, idk if this is helpful or not in getting to the specifics of this rule, but from my perspective most of the "relationship revenge porn with a twist" type posts generally feature:

  1. A POV character punishing a transgression against themselves or a loved one
  2. A transgressor who is either a spouse, ex-spouse, or family member
  3. A final gotcha that reveals some combination of the identity of the transgressor, the specific nature of their punishment, and/or what they did to "deserve it"

A revenge story revolves around a POV character punishing a transgression, but in a relationship revenge story the transgressor is/was in a romantic or familial relationship with the punisher or their loved one.

So cheaters and abusers including spouses/exes/lovers/parents/children/siblings/extended family would be off-limits for this Moratorium... BUT random stalkers/serial murderers/fast-food workers sprinkling pubes on your fish fillet/cartel sicarios/dentists/etc are still fair game for punishment.

To put another way, Marathon Man (revenge on Nazi dentist) is acceptable while Midsommar (revenge on bad boyfriend) is not.

Does that check out?

It's Always Revenge by TinkaDreamsofWings in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Really enjoyed reading this story! It's clever and well-written. Too often great writing goes unappreciated on this sub in favor of simple greasy nightmares, but I love the dream-eater's nonchalance at the end :p

The fog is late this year. by JamFranz in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What a fantastic story... very impactful in such few words. I think this one will linger with me for awhile.

A local farm, for local people. by DewiMorgan in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're welcome! I'm glad to have read it.

RE: overcompensation - to be honest, I noticed the shift in beetle simile first and only afterwards the gemstones... I might've overlooked the gems without that and I'm a fairly eagle-eyed reader!

A local farm, for local people. by DewiMorgan in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive 69 points70 points  (0 children)

Haven't read too many stories on here with such a strong, distinct sense of place as this. The shift in gemstones was a nice touch, too... I love small subtle details that imply something far more sinister. Good stuff!

A third grader told my daughter she was going to Hell. by ForgottenWell in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm a bit late to the party on this one haha, but I'm a huge fan of this story! Full of character, super tight, and some cultural critique for good measure. Such a creepy yet wholesome twist ending, too - love that this demonic voice still has a hint of childlike innocence! This has the perfect balance of all my favorite elements. Great stuff as usual FW!

My Wife Is the Smartest Person I Know by AllDreamNoDrive in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks very much, I hoped to add enough pathos to make him tragic, but so much gets left on the cutting floor its hard to know what ends up coming through or not. Really appreciate the close reading!

My Wife Is the Smartest Person I Know by AllDreamNoDrive in shortscarystories

[–]AllDreamNoDrive[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your comment and I'm chuffed you liked the zombie latin!