Writing Horror (Self-Counsel Writing)

by Edo Van Belkom

Book Overview

Takes you through the process of creating horror, including the art of suspending reader disbelief, the creation of atmosphere and believable characters, and the seven steps of plotting. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1551802813
• ISBN13: 9781551802817
• Release Date: February 2000
• Publisher: Self-Counsel Press
• Length: 232 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.3" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Great Information on Horror Writing

This is an excellent book if you are interested in writing horror. It takes you though each aspect of the genre step by step. The exercises in the book are useful too. I recommend this book to anyone interested in writing horror.

A Must!

Writing horror is a must for any horror fan and aspiring writer. It asnwers EVERY question one might have about the craft of writing and about the process of selling and publishing a story/novel.Van Belkom, who has written more than 150 published short stories and some very amazing novels, takes the genre apart to teach his readers the bare bones of horror writing. Everything is touched upon; from the provenance of ideas, to the actual writing (grammar, techniques, and dos and don'ts), selling, publishing, revising, finding an agent... You get it all in this book. This wonderful book answered all the questions I had about the process of writing horror, and I'm sure it will do the same for any aspiring writer. It is a great reference book that any writer should keep close to his/her writing desk, as you'll keep coming back to it whenever you have a question that needs answering.

Horrifically Good

You know you're in good hands when you open this book. But it takes more than just an incredible set of credentials (Bram Stoker Award, several novels and over 15 anthology appearances) to be an effective teacher. It takes a broad understanding of the writing craft and business, and an organized approach--all of which Van Belkom has with this book. It's a fast (216 pages), informative primer for new horror writers, and perhaps a nice refresher for the pros. Covering all the topics a book like this should, such as composition, marketing, and the current state of the genre, Van Belkom is at his best when he dissects his own stories and experiences for the reader's benefit; I'm just disappointed he didn't give us more--more meat, as they say. If you're still in the I'm-embarrassed-I-love-horror stage, Writing Horror has a flexible, paper cover that's perfect for folding over when you're on a crowded subway.

If you want to write horror, you need this book!

As someone who has written and sold a number of horror short stories, I can tell you that this book is right on the money. Edo van Belkom knows the markets and he knows what it takes to make it in this crazy business.If you're just starting out and you want to write horror, you should begin by buying this book. Read it. The book is jam-packed with common sense and examples. Follow Edo's suggestions, do the exercises and then apply your seat to the chair in front of your computer and get busy writing and submitting your work.For those of you who are already selling your horror stories and novels at a professional level, WRITING HORROR won't help you nearly as much, but it's fun to read, it's tax deductible and most important, it makes you want to get some writing done.