Imagination is what causes the true horror. No matter what is shown on the screen or read on paper, th eimagination is what does the work. Nothing can cause terror more than the imagination itself. The imagination can turn an ordinarly harmless situation inot a on that causes someone to be anxious. A room brightly can look spook with no lights at night with no noices and a fearful thought in the persons mind.
Thats what allows books to be more effective, it the total use of imagination as the person reads. There are some great horror writers out there. One of the best of all time is HP Lovecraft. He has inspired many of todays writers. His works are still thought provoking and gives good chills.
Then two of the most sucessful horror authors of out time, Stephen King and Dean R Koontz. These authors sold millions upon millions of there books and both have have movies made from there works.
