The Stuff of Nightmares How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories: Creative Writing Tutorials, #9
()
About this ebook
Are you an up-and-coming author with a passion for telling horror stories, but struggle to create tales that give your readers the heebie-jeebies? Or maybe you aspire to become the next Stephen King, but don't know where to start?
"The Stuff of Nightmares: How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories" is the essential guide for any writer who wants to master the art of horror storytelling.
In this 82-page book, you'll discover the secrets of crafting compelling and terrifying tales that will haunt your readers long after they've finished your book.
Inside, you'll learn how to create believable characters that your readers will care about and how to use setting and atmosphere to create a sense of dread and foreboding.
You'll also discover the different types of horror and how to use them effectively, as well as tips on pacing and suspense to keep your readers hooked. With "The Stuff of Nightmares," you'll get expert advice on crafting horror that will make your readers jump at every creak and shadow. Whether you're a newbie author or the next Stephen King, this book is the perfect tool to help you unleash your inner horror writer and terrify your readers.
So what are you waiting for? It's time to embrace the darkness and start crafting your own nightmares.
Raymond Cowie
Ray Cowie is a seasoned author who has spent over a decade honing his craft in the world of fiction writing. Later, he discovered a passion for helping aspiring writers develop their skills and bring their stories to life. Ray has developed a unique teaching style that emphasizes practical techniques and hands-on exercises to help writers of all levels improve their storytelling abilities. His books are beloved by students and instructors alike for their engaging writing style, practical advice and wealth of examples and exercises. His approach to teaching writing focuses on empowering writers to find their own unique voice and develop their own storytelling style, rather than following rigid formulas or rules. Ray's passion for writing is infectious and his dedication to helping others improve their craft is unmatched. Whether you're a novice writer just starting out or a seasoned pro looking to hone your skills, these ebooks are an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to take their fiction writing to the next level.
Read more from Raymond Cowie
The Universal Laws
Related to The Stuff of Nightmares How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories
Titles in the series (14)
From Blank Page To Published Author: Creative Writing Tutorials, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrom Start to Finish: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Psychological Thrillers: Creative Writing Tutorials, #6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Write Fantasy Fiction: Creative Writing Tutorials, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrom Idea to Manuscript- A Guide to Writing Dystopian Science Fiction: Creative Writing Tutorials, #7 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Complete Character Creation Handbook: Creative Writing Tutorials, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Write Historical Fiction: Creative Writing Tutorials, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Romance Writer's Handbook: Creative Writing Tutorials, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Plot Blueprint: A Practical Guide for New Authors: Creative Writing Tutorials, #8 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Write Short Stories For Children Aged 6-10 - The Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Autors: Creative Writing Tutorials, #10 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Stuff of Nightmares How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories: Creative Writing Tutorials, #9 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Magic of Myths & Fables: How to Write Modern Day Fairy Tales: Creative Writing Tutorials, #11 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAdvanced Plot Twists: Master The Art of Jaw-Dropping Twists & Turns: Creative Writing Tutorials, #12 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSolving the Mystery: Master the Art of Detective Fiction: Creative Writing Tutorials, #14 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Rom-Com Writer's Companion: Creative Writing Tutorials, #13 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related ebooks
From Idea to Manuscript- A Guide to Writing Dystopian Science Fiction: Creative Writing Tutorials, #7 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAdvanced Plot Twists: Master The Art of Jaw-Dropping Twists & Turns: Creative Writing Tutorials, #12 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Write Fantasy Fiction: Creative Writing Tutorials, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrom Blank Page To Published Author: Creative Writing Tutorials, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStory Idea: Writer Resources, #1 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5How to Write the Best Book: Writer Resources, #6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Write A Science Fiction Novel: Create A Captivating Science Fiction Novel With Confidence Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWordcrafting - The Craft of Writing Fiction and Nonfiction Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Fantasy Writer's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow To Write Short Stories For Children Aged 6-10 - The Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Autors: Creative Writing Tutorials, #10 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTwo Year Novel Course: Set 2 (Characters) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting Fantasy: The Top 100 Best Strategies For Writing Fantasy Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Crack the Code: Craft Your Novel Using Story, Scenes and Words Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsImmersion and Emotion: The Two Pillars of Storytelling Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCapturing Ghosts On The Page: Writing Horror & Dark Fiction: Writer Chaps, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIrresistible World Building for Unforgettable Stories: World Building Made Easy, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Scribe July 2016 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings102 Ways to Write a Novel: Indispensable Tips for the Writer of Fiction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Two Year Novel Course: Set 4 (Outlines) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Plot Blueprint: A Practical Guide for New Authors: Creative Writing Tutorials, #8 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrom Start to Finish: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Psychological Thrillers: Creative Writing Tutorials, #6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Write Point of View Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Complete Character Creation Handbook: Creative Writing Tutorials, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWrite Characters-Creating People Readers Will Love Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTwo Year Novel Course: Set 7 (Second Draft) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Write a Short Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Composition & Creative Writing For You
Pity the Reader: On Writing with Style Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Letters to a Young Poet Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Verbal Judo, Second Edition: The Gentle Art of Persuasion Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Only Writing Series You'll Ever Need - Grant Writing: A Complete Resource for Proposal Writers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Craft of Research, Fourth Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5THE EMOTIONAL WOUND THESAURUS: A Writer's Guide to Psychological Trauma Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Emotion Thesaurus (Second Edition): A Writer's Guide to Character Expression Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Letters to a Young Poet (Rediscovered Books): With linked Table of Contents Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5People, Places, Things: My Human Landmarks Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Writer's Diary Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell - A Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Read This Next: 500 of the Best Books You'll Ever Read Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Economical Writing, Third Edition: Thirty-Five Rules for Clear and Persuasive Prose Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5On Writing and Failure: Or, On the Peculiar Perseverance Required to Endure the Life of a Writer Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Into the Woods: A Five-Act Journey Into Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shut Up and Write the Book: A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Novel from Plan to Print Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Read Poetry Like a Professor: A Quippy and Sonorous Guide to Verse Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How To Write A Novel The Easy Way Using The Pulp Fiction Method To Write Better Novels: How To Write, #1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Negative Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Flaws Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Positive Trait Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Attributes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Brevity: A Flash Fiction Handbook Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/52k to 10k: Writing Faster, Writing Better, and Writing More of What You Love Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Write Your First Novel: The Stress-Free Guide to Writing Fiction for Beginners: Author Level Up, #2 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Stuff of Nightmares How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Stuff of Nightmares How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories - Raymond Cowie
The Stuff of Nightmares How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories
Creative Writing Tutorials, Volume 9
Raymond Cowie
Published by Raymond Cowie, 2023.
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
THE STUFF OF NIGHTMARES HOW TO CRAFT SPINE-CHILLING HORROR STORIES
First edition. May 7, 2023.
Copyright © 2023 Raymond Cowie.
ISBN: 979-8223956020
Written by Raymond Cowie.
Also by Raymond Cowie
Creative Writing Tutorials
From Blank Page To Published Author
The Complete Character Creation Handbook
How To Write Fantasy Fiction
How to Write Historical Fiction
The Romance Writer's Handbook
From Start to Finish: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Psychological Thrillers
From Idea to Manuscript- A Guide to Writing Dystopian Science Fiction
The Plot Blueprint: A Practical Guide for New Authors
The Stuff of Nightmares How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories
How To Write Short Stories For Children Aged 6-10 - The Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Autors
The Magic of Myths & Fables: How to Write Modern Day Fairy Tales
Advanced Plot Twists: Master The Art of Jaw-Dropping Twists & Turns
The Rom-Com Writer's Companion
Solving the Mystery: Master the Art of Detective Fiction
Passive Income Streams
Membership Masterclass: Turn Your Words Into A Profitable Business
The Universal Laws
Beyond the Secret: Unleash the Potential of the 12 Universal Laws
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Also By Raymond Cowie
The Stuff of Nightmares How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories (Creative Writing Tutorials, #9)
Sign up for Raymond Cowie's Mailing List
Also By Raymond Cowie
About the Author
The Stuff of Nightmares
How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories
Introduction
Defining horror fiction can be quite a tricky task since the genre has evolved over time and varies from author to author. However, at its core, it is a genre that explores the unknown, the mysterious and the most terrifying elements of the supernatural world.
Horror fiction is characterized by the presence of supernatural elements such as ghosts, demons, vampires, werewolves and other unwanted dinner guests. These elements are often used to create an atmosphere of fear and dread in the reader, making them question the reality of the world around them.
One of the defining features of supernatural horror fiction is its ability to tap into our deepest fears and anxieties. It often deals with themes such as death, the afterlife, the unknown and the unseen. It can also explore the darker aspects of human nature, such as greed, jealousy and vengeance.
However, horror fiction isn't just about scaring the reader. It can also be used to explore deeper philosophical and existential questions. For example, it can ask questions about the nature of good and evil, the meaning of life and the possible existence of an afterlife.
In terms of writing style, horror fiction often relies on suspense, tension and a slow build-up of fear. It can also use imagery and symbolism to create a sense of unease in the reader.
Dialogue is also important, as it can be used to reveal more about your characters and their motivations.
Overall, horror fiction is a genre that is both challenging and rewarding to write. It requires a deep understanding of the human psyche, an ability to create a sense of atmosphere and tension and a willingness to explore the darker aspects of the supernatural world.
However, for those who are willing to take on the challenge, the rewards can be great, as horror fiction has the power to stay with readers long after they have finished your book.
Horror fiction is a genre that has stood the test of time. Its popularity has only increased over the years, with numerous authors churning out spine-tingling tales of the paranormal. If you are a would-be author looking to dip your toes into the world of supernatural horror, there are several benefits to be had.
First and foremost, writing horror fiction allows you to tap into your creativity and imagination. The genre is all about pushing the boundaries of what's possible and coming up with new and innovative ways to scare your readers. This means that you have the freedom to let your mind run wild and explore the depths of your creativity.
Secondly, writing in the genre can be incredibly cathartic. By exploring dark and unsettling themes, you can work through your own fears and anxieties. This can be a deeply personal and rewarding experience and can lead to a better understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Thirdly, writing horror fiction can be a great way to connect with readers. Horror fans are a passionate and dedicated community and by writing stories that resonate with them, you can build a loyal following. This can lead to increased exposure and opportunities for your work to be published and recognized.
Finally, writing about the supernatural can be a lot of fun. There's nothing quite like the thrill of scaring your readers and leaving them on the edge of their seats. It's a genre that allows you to experiment with different styles and techniques and to create stories that are truly unforgettable.
In conclusion, there are many benefits to writing horror fiction. Whether you're looking to explore your creativity, work through personal issues, connect with readers or simply have fun, this genre has something to offer.
So, if you're a would-be author with a love for the macabre, don't be afraid to dive in and start crafting your own spine-chilling tales of the supernatural.
And whatever you do, don't look behind you!
––––––––
Overview of the Book
The Stuff of Nightmares: How to Craft Spine-Chilling Horror Stories is a comprehensive guide to writing supernatural horror fiction. It is designed to help would-be authors develop their skills and craft stories that will send ice-cold shivers down