My Top 10 Favorite Urban Legends
by Kelly Hall
Since my book, The Legend of the Light Keeper, is based on a local urban legend, I decided to list some others that inspire me.
10. Bloody Mary- I remember as a kid me and my friend doing this at the bathroom mirror, and while I tried to put on a brave front, I was haunted for weeks that Mary would show up. I never played it again.
9. Dead Ringer- The tale of being buried alive has always scared me. I think that would be one of the worst ways to die. The fact that people used to tie a string to their beloved one’s hand after death is just creepy.
8. Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board- This tale claims a circle of friends could levitate a person using their index fingers while simply chanting “Light as a feather, stiff as a board.” I remembered when I was a kid my older sisters had a slumber party where they tried this. I don’t remember what happened just that I was mad I couldn’t play too.
7. Bigfoot- I’ve always been obsessed with Big Foot and what fascinates me most of all is that so many people claim to see him and he’s been seen in some variety all over the world. Those people are seeing something, is it Big Foot, who knows, but it sure is neat.
6. Alien abductions- The thought of other beings similar to humans, living in a place similar to Earth has always fascinated and inspired me. The thought that if they exist they might come into our homes and steal us away in the night is pretty freaky.
5. Cats Stealing Your Breath- This is an old wives tale that I remember my grandmother and her sister talking about with newborns. The claim is that a cat will go into your room and sit on your chest and steal the breath from your face causing you to smother. That always freaked me out, but I love cats!
4. Possessed Dolls- I have always thought dolls were creepy, but that didn’t stop me from collecting porcelain dolls. Their little round faces, permanent smiles, and dead set eyes make them appear pretty to some and pretty evil to others. I once read a book where a doll was broken and it bled. I’ve never looked at them the same since.
3. Evil Clowns- Clowns have never bothered me as long as they are in a familiar setting such as a carnival or circus. But take that same clown and stick him in a different unexpected setting, like on a hiking trail in the deep forest, and that sweet, funny face, turns into something menacing and quite disturbing. That and the fact clowns have been portrayed in so many movies as evil, and with Gacy bringing that fear to life, I’d say I don’t blame anyone for being a little creeped out by them.
2. The Babysitter and the Clown- This urban legend always freaked me out. The babysitter calls the parents of the child she’s watching to ask if she can put their creepy life-sized clown doll in the closet, only to have them say that they don’t own a creepy clown doll. The idea of being in a strange house all alone at night is enough to scare me. Every little noise sets the nerves on edge.
1. Mothman- I’ve always been fascinated with Mothman and the thought of omens. Creatures like this are very popular in urban legends and with so many people linking together claims of their existence it makes it quite interesting.
So that’s a list of my favorite Urban Legends, did some of them match your own? Whether the stories are true or not, it really doesn’t matter. The fun is in the mystery.
10. Bloody Mary- I remember as a kid me and my friend doing this at the bathroom mirror, and while I tried to put on a brave front, I was haunted for weeks that Mary would show up. I never played it again.
9. Dead Ringer- The tale of being buried alive has always scared me. I think that would be one of the worst ways to die. The fact that people used to tie a string to their beloved one’s hand after death is just creepy.
8. Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board- This tale claims a circle of friends could levitate a person using their index fingers while simply chanting “Light as a feather, stiff as a board.” I remembered when I was a kid my older sisters had a slumber party where they tried this. I don’t remember what happened just that I was mad I couldn’t play too.
7. Bigfoot- I’ve always been obsessed with Big Foot and what fascinates me most of all is that so many people claim to see him and he’s been seen in some variety all over the world. Those people are seeing something, is it Big Foot, who knows, but it sure is neat.
6. Alien abductions- The thought of other beings similar to humans, living in a place similar to Earth has always fascinated and inspired me. The thought that if they exist they might come into our homes and steal us away in the night is pretty freaky.
5. Cats Stealing Your Breath- This is an old wives tale that I remember my grandmother and her sister talking about with newborns. The claim is that a cat will go into your room and sit on your chest and steal the breath from your face causing you to smother. That always freaked me out, but I love cats!
4. Possessed Dolls- I have always thought dolls were creepy, but that didn’t stop me from collecting porcelain dolls. Their little round faces, permanent smiles, and dead set eyes make them appear pretty to some and pretty evil to others. I once read a book where a doll was broken and it bled. I’ve never looked at them the same since.
3. Evil Clowns- Clowns have never bothered me as long as they are in a familiar setting such as a carnival or circus. But take that same clown and stick him in a different unexpected setting, like on a hiking trail in the deep forest, and that sweet, funny face, turns into something menacing and quite disturbing. That and the fact clowns have been portrayed in so many movies as evil, and with Gacy bringing that fear to life, I’d say I don’t blame anyone for being a little creeped out by them.
2. The Babysitter and the Clown- This urban legend always freaked me out. The babysitter calls the parents of the child she’s watching to ask if she can put their creepy life-sized clown doll in the closet, only to have them say that they don’t own a creepy clown doll. The idea of being in a strange house all alone at night is enough to scare me. Every little noise sets the nerves on edge.
1. Mothman- I’ve always been fascinated with Mothman and the thought of omens. Creatures like this are very popular in urban legends and with so many people linking together claims of their existence it makes it quite interesting.
So that’s a list of my favorite Urban Legends, did some of them match your own? Whether the stories are true or not, it really doesn’t matter. The fun is in the mystery.
The Legend of the Light Keeper
The Light Keeper #1
Kelly Hall
Publication Date: March 25, 2015
Genre: YA Paranormal
After a hurricane destroys her home, Lily Jordan is ready for life to get back to normal. That would be easy if her mother’s recent engagement hadn’t landed her in a house along Southeast Texas’ most haunted ghost road.
The secluded scenic road is steeped in rich history and legends, but when Lily is given an old diary on her birthday, will she find that those legends hold more for her future than she’s bargained for?
With the help of new friends, Hunter and Owen, and forbidden love, Talon, will she uncover dark secrets from the past and find the key to her own gifts? Is it fate or circumstance that brought her to her new home?
Normal gives way to the paranormal in book one of the Light Keeper series where mystery and suspense will keep you guessing until the very last page.
Kelly Hall was born and raised in Southeast Texas, and lives in a small town just a stone’s throw from the ghost road where her Light Keeper series is based. When she’s not busy writing, or spending time with her husband and two sons, this self-proclaimed creative junkie dabbles in many different forms of art, including cake decorating and mixed media.
Hi Ayanami!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting Kelly today. Love your blog. :)
Laurie Starkey
Good Tales Book Tours
Thank you so much for hosting me! I'd like to invite you and your friends to stop by my website and sign up for my newsletter group for more information on events, contests, and featured content! http://authorkellyhall.com/
ReplyDeleteThanks again and Happy Reading!
~Kelly Hall