Why do we like to be scared?

Making more progress on the second novel even though my voice sounds like I've gargled with gravel. My son was thoughtful enough to share his cold. 8-) At least I don't have to talk in order to type.

Why do we like to be scared so much? It isn't just gore. I never liked a lot of blood and guts and not story, but I loved to curl up as a kid and read 'Salem's Lot in the middle of a summer night with the windows open and the screen doors unlocked. And I'd image that every sound--from the house settling to the night noises outside--could be something watching me, something creeping forward waiting for me.

Being scared is such a natural emotion, a natural state of mind. It's something we don't have to think about. And it's genuine. Real fear can't be faked.

I have a friend I love to go see horror movies with. She jumps ten feet when they go for the "cheap" scares of a cat jumping out of a cupboard or something like that. Sometimes I just end up watching her instead of the movie.