“A strong emotion, especially if
experienced for the first time, leaves a vivid memory of the scene where it
occurred.” – Algernon Blackwood
Born in England on this date in
1869, Blackwood was a short story writer and novelist and one of the most
prolific writers of ghost stories in the history of the genre. He also was a
journalist and broadcasting narrator. A gifted
storyteller, even in childhood, he said he always amazed friends and neighbors
with his ability to spin yarns about the supernatural.
Blackwood authored 14 novels,
several children's books, a number of plays and at least 3 dozen original short
story collections before his death in 1951.
A highly sought-after speaker and broadcaster as well, he became known
as “Master of the Genre.” Among his most
well-known tales were The Willows and The Wendigo.
Most of his stories elicited a sense of “awe” or the “what if?” factor,
making them perfect for such broadcast shows as “Suspense” and “Night
Gallery.”
Blackwood said the secret to his writings’
success was leaving his reader with a nagging sense that something yet might
happen. “Those little things that pierce and burn and prick for
years to come.“
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