 Horror/Scary: November 12, 2008 Issue [#2712] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: Edited by: darkin
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Reading a horror story, one that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last page, is what every horror fan dreams of. Being scared, to the point that sleep is almost impossible, makes the read all the more worthwhile. Does that make us crazy? You bet!!!
My name is Darkin, and I’m your host this week for the Horror Newsletter.
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How to Improve Your Horror Writing in Four Easy Steps
Horror writing is one of the funnest genres to write. At least, that's what I think. Crafting a tale that scares the tar out of a reader just makes my whole day.
One thing I'm asked often is how a new writer can improve their horror writing. There are things you can do, besides writing, to improve your tale weaving.
Read!
Yeah, I know, this is a no brainer. But you'd be amazed at how many writers forget this fundamental writing skill. One of the things I like to do is take a novel I really enjoyed and pick it apart. What did I like, hate, or just didn't care about. Why were the characters so important to me, and why did the villain(or monster) scare me so badly. Books I couldn't stand I do the same thing to, only this time I look for the things I think the writer did wrong...so I won't repeat their mistakes.
Characters!
What good is a scary story if the reader doesn't care what happens to the characters? You need to make the reader want the characters to survive. Which means making sure YOU want the characters to survive. You need main characters who are real to the reader, and you. Your supporting characters should be as good, even if you plan on a "thinning of the herd" plot line And don't forget your villain (or monster/entity/whatever). If the villain, for lack of a better word, isn't scary, then your story won't be scary either.
Story!
This is a crucial part of any tale. You need to have something happening that is scary enough to keep your reader on the edge of their seat. It really doesn't matter what that something is, but it must be well thought out and suspenseful enough to carry your story from beginning to end.
Rewrite, Edit, and Polish!
I don't know about you, but every one of my stories, including those already published, have the potential to be improved. All of them! That doesn't mean I'm a bad writer. It means I'm willing to take a long, hard look at everything I write to try and find a way to make it better. Doing one edit isn't going to catch everything wrong with a piece. That's like letting only one person read your tale and saying it's ready for submission. As a writer, it is your job to be sure what you submit to the publishing world is the best work you can write.
There you go, the four steps to better horror writing. Okay, you're right. Those steps would apply to ANY type of writing, any genre, any form. But I know if you follow these steps, you'll write better stories.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Happy Writing!
darkin |
Here are some items I found while traveling the highways and byways of Writing.Com!
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Thank you for allowing me to enter your world. If you have any comments, or questions, feel free to drop me a line. I'd love to hear from you!
darkin
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Submitted By: spidey 
Submitted Comment:
Great list! Those are some good ideas that are sure to inspire horror!
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