October Submission Blitz – Axe-Murderer

Today’s submission was my short story “Cat-Birds” submitted to the all-female Grotesque anthology. It struck me as a good fit because it did not include any of the typical horror tropes, which the venue did not want. I also did some more work on “Better” a science fiction story I hope to submit to a pro-pay venue later in the month.

Speaking of horror tropes, my first for the month – my “A” trope – is the axe-murderer. This trope is notorious enough that spoofs have been based on it, “I Married an Axe-Murderer” as an example. It is as common in older stories and movies as the killer with a hook for a hand, although you would think an axe as a weapon would be a more likely occurrence. Axes are available in a variety of situations, particularly in isolated locations in the woods where someone no doubt has to chop wood for heat, be it a wood stove, furnace or fireplace. We own an axe for that reason (not for chopping people).

When you think about it, another horror trope, the chainsaw killer, is just a more modern version of the axe-murderer. The latter could be considered something of a classic trope.

Back to writing and preparations for another submission tomorrow…