NOTES

 

You guessed it, another magazine prompt. This time, I was writing for the Toasted Cheese Literary Journal’s Dead of Winter contest, which is always horror-themed. The prompt was:

 

Toys in the attic.

 

Lots of creepy things came to mind. I revisited the brainstorming notes I made before I wrote the story. Here are some of the ideas I noted down:

 

Parasites inside dolls in a department store attic, waiting their chance to attach to an innocent human host.

 

Enormous warehouse-like attic in a museum where bacteria from mummy remains infect toys which will soon go on display.

 

Dying flying creature crash lands in attic, sends forth spores which infect toys and, subsequently, children, causing them to do odd and disturbing things and eventually sending them into hiding to spin their sac and transform into adult monsters.

 

Basically, toys in the attic is a really evil idea. In writing the story, I aimed to infuse some humor and humanity into a horrific and chilling tale. I ended up rather liking my character, Adam Stirling. I may use him again someday.