Blogging – Halloween Horror Haiku

Today marks my 5th anniversary of Halloween Horror Haiku!

I started this home-grown blog to channel some pent up creative energy that needed to get out. Many grand ideas and failed realities later, I’ve learned I’m not so much about keeping up the social aspect of having a public blog and more about just having fun and being creative. Either the shared love of the topics draws you in or it doesn’t. I believe myself to be a complete novice and writing does not come easy for me, poetry in particular. But, with each poem, I gain a better understanding of the art of haiku.

My first posted Halloween haiku in April 2018.

In November of 2021, I rebranded to Halloween Horror Haiku because I wanted to share my love of horror movies and to differentiate my blog from other writers who were causing trouble on social media. Writing Halloween haiku isn’t something to be owned. No one is the only one to write Halloween haiku and no one can claim to be the first to do it, unless you’ve got 100-year old poem hiding somewhere.

Google search Halloween Haiku and my blog comes up 5th. For a couple years I was on page 9 or 10.

Both Halloween and haiku are communal. They are more meaningful when shared, so is horror for that matter, which is why I choose to celebrate my blogiversary with Halloween haiku challenge, where everyone can share in the joy of creating a Halloween haiku. Details for this year’s contest are below.

Halloween Haiku Challenge – Halfway to Halloween

Write a Halloween-themed haiku using the traditional 17-syllable style and rules, then, enter by posting, using one of the two methods below. Only ONE entry per person. Contest ends at 12noon Pacific on Sunday, April 30^th.

Prize: A Ghostly Prize Pack valued over $50.

Please click here for contest rules/disclaimer stuff.

Two Ways to Enter:

1) Via WordPress:

Create a login or sign into WordPress
Follow our webpage: www.halloweenhorrorhaiku.com
Post your own original Halloween haiku in the comment section of this post

2) Via Instagram:

Follow us on Instagram: @halloweenhorrorhaiku
Like the “Happy 5th Anniversary Halloween Horror Haiku” photo.
Add your own original Halloween haiku in the comment section; or
Tag me in your Insta-post and use the following #HalloweenHaikuChallenge

The winning haiku will be chosen based on originality, spookiness, or that which best invokes the spirit of Halloween.

Winner will be announced on Monday, May 1st.

I’ve only always wanted this blog to be a positive safe space for people who enjoy Halloween, horror, and haiku without being harassed, intimidated, or persecuted. Thank you to all my supporters, the readers, the writers, fellow bloggers, fellow members of Samhain Society, and fellow Halloween, horror, or haiku lovers from all corners of the globe who stop by to check out the blog. I appreciate your time and energy. Here’s to another great year of Halloween Horror Haiku!

Advice from a Jack-o-lantern by HalloweenKristy

Welcome, January! I don’t do resolutions because I can never keep any promises. Life simply gets in the way sometimes and adapting is name of the game. That’s not to say I don’t make changes. Truth is, I’ve been thinking of quitting this blog for some time, but later this spring will mark my blog’s 5th anniversary and I’m proud of my little creations. So, I’m going to stick it out another year and see where the road leads.

Blogging hasn’t always been easy. Last year was a dismal time. I have not been able find the balance in work-to-home life after the pandemic. The first two years of blogging seemed promising. Then, I realized there was another Halloween Haiku writer who returned from a long hiatus and insisted in creating a competition. It was awkward and weird. Totally killed my inspiration. I ignore that person and exist in my own space because my haiku are original. I never claimed to do anything first, especially where a 3,000 year-old art form is concerned.

My real enemy is social media. I added “horror” to my blog name to differentiate between any other halloween haikus, no matter when they started. I thought I would gain more followers doing that. The unpleasant reality is my blog is a little too niche, even for fans of Halloween, horror, or haiku. Thus, I’ve failed to make any kind of mark. I don’t have the time to keep up Halloween trends, nor the skills to run entertaining or informative social media accounts. If you’ve noticed, I stepped back from Meta (Facebook) and Twitter altogether. While I’m happy to be part of The Samhain Society, it seems my lot in life is to always be the square in a circle. But, hey, this is no pity party. I am GenX. Being alone ain’t nothing new.

So, here I am, giving blogging in 2023 a chance. This year I’m going back to basics, just writing haiku. Halloween and horror haiku to be specific. Trying something new though, all my haiku will connect to tell a story that fits a monthly theme. Actually, I did it in December 2022. Every Monthly Haiku Corner, I will announce the theme and give readers a little background blurb. From there, a tale will unfold week after week and by the end of the year, I should have 12 different micro stories, told in haiku format. Occasionally, I’ll post some other stuff too, a horror movie list for those looking for recommendations, a Friday Fright Nightcap here, a Wicked Art Wednesday showcase there, but mostly, it will be all about the Halloween and horror haiku.

I wish everyone all the best this year. May 2023 be good to you. Be safe and have fun. May you find love and inspiration this year, and of course, good health, joy, happiness, and prosperity.