In today’s continuation of the A-Z Challenge, I give you:

P is for Post-Apocalyptic

I’ve always held a bizarre fascination with post-apocalyptic literature, video games, movies, and art. Give me an hour, and I’ll ramble at length about Alas, Babylon, Fallout 3, or disaster porn movies like The Day after Tomorrow.

Something about nature taking back what we’ve claimed for ourselves is beautiful, yet horrifying. The idea that we are creating our own destruction is an interesting topic to explore in literature, film, art, etc.

How could you not think this gorgeous!?
The Lost Road

The idea that we somehow survive the horrors of war, famine, and disease is just as beautiful and fascinating to me, which is why I’m drawn to medias that explore this topic. There’s a certain rawness to it.

My love of post-apocalyptic media is how I found grew to love zombie flicks & games. Both share the same traits when done well. The first time a zombie jumped out at the character in the first Resident Evil game, I screamed. They staged the lighting perfectly–a broken window displaying a storm outside and the curtains moving gently. Shadows stretched long across the hallway, and the tension in the musical score promised that something was coming.

It’s that eeriness and mood that I aim for during intense scenes in my own writing–something that will make readers scream or shout, cry, or gnash their teeth during all the right moments.

Now I really want to go replay Resident Evil…

This post is part of the A-Z Challenge. Every day (except Sundays) in the month of May, I’ll be posting about people, places, books, games, and other things that influence me as a writer or add a certain magic to my life. Join me in April as we explore a Hodge-Podge of Influences & Wayward Treks through the Fantastical.

Read more A-Z Challenge Posts here.