Writing in the Dark

by Tim Waggoner

Overview

Recipient of the Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in Non-Fiction

In this comprehensive textbook devoted to the craft of writing horror fiction, award-winning author Tim Waggoner draws on thirty years' experience as a writer and teacher. Writing in the Dark offers advice, guidance, and insights on how to compose horror stories and novels that are original, frightening, entertaining, and well-written.

Waggoner covers a wide range of topics, among them why horror matters, building viable monsters, generating ideas and plotlines, how to stylize narratives in compelling ways, the physiology of fear, the art of suspense, avoiding clichés, marketing your horror writing, and much more. Each chapter includes tips from some of the best horror professionals working today, such as Joe Hill, Ellen Datlow, Joe R. Lansdale, Maurice Broaddus, Yvette Tan, Thomas Ligotti, Jonathan Maberry, Edward Lee, and John Shirley. There are also appendices with critical reflections, pointers on the writing process, ideas for characters and story arcs, and material for further research.

Writing in the Dark derives from Waggoner's longtime blog of the same name. Suitable for classroom use, intensive study, and bedside reading, this essential manual will appeal to new authors at the beginning of their career as well as veterans of the horror genre who want to brush up on their technique.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781947879195
Publisher:	Guide Dog Books
Publication date:	09/16/2020
Pages:	236
Sales rank:	225,222
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.50(d)

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION • Thomas F. Monteleone

PREFACE: ENTER FREELY AND OF YOUR OWN WILL

Part One: Why I Write Horror.

Part Two: Why Do I Want to Help You Write Horror?”

VOICES FROM THE SHADOWS

CHAPTER ONE: WHY HORROR MATTERS

Why Horror is a more important genre than most people think.

CHAPTER TWO: THINGS UNKNOWN

What’s that thing lurking in the shadows?

CHAPTER THREE: EVERYTHING YOU KNOW IS WRONG

Horror comes from a violation of reality.

CHAPTER FOUR: HELLO DARKNESS, MY OLD FRIEND

Like ice cream, Horror comes in many different flavors.

CHAPTER FIVE: STRANGE NOTIONS

Where do you get your weird ideas?

CHAPTER SIX: DONE TO DEATH

How to avoid cliches and write original horror fiction.

CHAPTER SEVEN: WHERE NO MONSTER HAS GONE BEFORE

How to build a better monster.

CHAPTER EIGHT: THE HORROR WRITER’S PALETTE

Using Dread, Terror, Horror, Shock, and Disgust in your writing.

CHAPTER NINE: THE HORROR HERO’S JOURNEY

Horror fiction’s version of the Hero’s Journey and how to use it to generate ideas and plot stories.

CHAPTER TEN: DOWN TO THE BONE

Horror fiction is most effective when written with an immersive point of view.

CHAPTER ELEVEN: MORE THAN MEAT

How to make your characters strong and interesting—including characters who will become casualties during the course of your story.

CHAPTER TWELVE: HURTS SO GOOD

Characters in horror fiction should suffer more than just physical pain.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE PHYSIOLOGY OF FEAR

How fear affects the mind and body, and how it affects your characters’ actions and decisions.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: TELL ME A SCARY STORY

Different narrative structures for writing horror fiction.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN: THE DARK HEART OF HORROR

Horror is an emotion, so it’s vital to write with an emotional core.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN: A MATTER OF STYLE

Stylistic techniques for writing effective horror fiction.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: THE ART OF SUSPENSE

Techniques for creating and maintaining suspense.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: LET THEM FIGHT!

Writing effective action scenes in horror fiction.

CHAPTER NINETEEN: THERE ARE NO LIMITS, BUT . . .

How to deal effectively with extreme and violent content.

CHAPTER TWENTY: THE EVIL SPREADS

Marketing your horror fiction to agents, editors, and readers.

END OF THE LINE

A few last words.

APPENDIX A: AUTOPSY

A critique of one of the first horror stories I ever wrote.

APPENDIX B: DIRE SITUATIONS

A list of story situations to help you plot your stories.

APPENDIX C: PSYCHOLOGICAL MAKEUP QUESTIONNAIRE

APPENDIX D: PAIN REACTION QUESTIONNAIRE

APPENDIX E: LET’S GET WEIRD! EXPERIMENTAL FICTION IDEAS

APPENDIX F: FURTHER RESOURCES

Books and websites to help you keep the horror going.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Editorial Reviews

“I was part of one of Tim’s writing workshops more years ago than I care to acknowledge. Soon after completing it, I began to sell professionally. Coincidence? I think not!” —Dave Creek, author of 40 science fiction and mystery short stories and 14 books

“I still refer to handwritten notes I scribbled down as fast as I could during one of Tim’s horror-writing classes. Absolutely incisive insights and practical know-how.” —Tom Leveen, Bram Stoker finalist and author of Hellworld

“As soon as I heard Waggoner was creating a book on writing craft, I knew I was buying it. His insights are gold.” —Jay Wilburn, author of the Maidens of Zombie Kingdom trilogy

“For some years now, Tim Waggoner’s Writing in the Dark has been my go-to blog for sensible, actionable, sustainable tips for writers. Scarily good advice.” —Lee Murray, author of The Path of Ra series

“As a true newbie, I really didn’t know much about the writing world. Tim was my HWA mentor in 2017. During our four months together, he critiqued three of my short stories and the beginnings of a novel. His advice was always on point with an eye toward pacing and story arc (my weaknesses). His advice is straightforward without being either condescending or cruel. Since working with Tim, I’ve had three short stories published (one at professional rates) and have drafted and revised my novel.” —Valerie B. Williams, writer of dark fiction and two-time survivor of Borderlands Boot Camp

“Tim’s writing advice and lessons are simple, straightforward and always actionable. I must admit to having cribbed some of his approaches in my own classroom from time to time and, as all teachers know, theft is the best compliment we can give.” —Anthony Klancar, High School English Teacher

“Tim helped me find the writer in me. He encouraged me to appreciate and trust my voice to tell my stories.” —Patti Balster, Student

“When I engage with Tim Waggoner’s writing advice, I can be sure it will be useful and practical. While realistic and sobering, his advice does so in a way that isn’t discouraging or downbeat. It gives me a renewed sense of hope and new ideas to try that I hadn’t considered before.” —Eva V. Roslin, Librarian

From the Publisher

10/01/2020

After years of teaching and publishing, Waggoner (They Kill) was asked enough times why he writes horror that he decided to explain it the best way he knew how, by sharing his techniques and thoughts in an accessible, useful, and engaging textbook. Drawing on both personal experience and the advice and thoughts of dozens of horror authors and editors from around the world, Waggoner's writing guide is also a deep dive into the genre itself. He breaks down popular tropes, describes how to draw out visceral responses in readers, and advocates for the importance of horror stories in all of our lives, including lively exercises and discussion questions at the end of each chapter. VERDICT This excellent writing guide by an accomplished author and teacher will enhance all collections with its instruction. It's also a fun read that elucidates the appeal of horror while also functioning as a solid readers' advisory resource.

Library Journal