How to Write Horror article by Lily Childs

Read the full article How to Write Horror...

Background

When I was first approached by Annie Evett, Managing Editor at the excellent online writers' resource 'Write Anything' to write an article on how to write horror, my initial reaction was How? I just do it!

But when I sat and properly contemplated the question I realised that actually, there are of course skills involved in presenting a story that thrills and disturbs in equal measure. But it's a case of balance between method and flow, and ultimately the final edit.

As Write Anything's audience is already made up of aspiring or established writers I decided to present the article as generic advise for writers of all ages and levels of experience who are considering trying their hand at the horror genre.

I peppered it with my own methodology but as someone who dislikes rules would hope readers might consider my advice, but write as themselves - with their own voice.

If you would like to read How to Write Horror by Lily Childs I would welcome your comments.

Thank you, Annie for the invitation to contribute.

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Lily's Friday Prediction

I promise to get mine in early today - Prediction entry, that is. Because it is a gorgeous and inspiring sunny day in old Eastbourne town - and I have the day off.

Congrats to Messrs Fritz and Allinotte. Aidan's terrifying horror-fest Clown Hearse came in first past the post as winner of last week's Prediction challenge with Chris's lost Atlas the runner-up, in One More Time Gentlemen. Great flash - well done both.

I had to temper the words thrown up by the old book today, otherwise you'd have been challenged with gastropod, pneumatology and coprolite (which - as if you didn't know is fossilised excrement, so rather interesting actually.) Anyway, with the best will in the world and the talent you all share, I thought these were a bit OTT.

So I did it again. Today's three words are:

• Mongrel
• Cinderella
• Profit

Rules

The rules are: 100 words max flash fiction or poetry using all of the words above. Please add your entries in the Comments box below. You have all week until 9pm UK time on Thursday 31st March to enter.

Winner will be announced next Thursday or Friday. If you can, please tweet about your entry, using the #fridayflash hashtag, and blog if you feel like it.

Now, where did I leave that glass slipper...?

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Prediction Winner

Ooh la la. How on earth am I going to select a winner from last week? Or have I already chosen? Hmmnn - will you ever know?

My summaries are quick this night, for midnight beckons - and a rare day off to boot. So much to write, so much to read. Oh get on with it, you rambling haridan..

Who's first?

• Jenny's modern magic, perfect murder immediately throws us through her extraordinary sad doorway where the soul of the house is older than the story itself.
• Mimi takes us into the horrors of war with a satisfactory twist in The Other Option.
• Ellie returned to knock us out with her sci-fi killer Gravity (Pt II). Helward is king.
• Little, little words and tiny verses; Susan's poetry ties up Fox, Middle and Surrender in the tightest Tanka.
• I gave the beautiful fox back her grace against the wicked hunt in Her Grace, then Lure left a lover in a spectral no-man's land.
• Sandra despairs of the norm, transfixed - if momentarily by the sheer beauty of Mr Fox in Traditional for May 1st.
• Nightmares - over and over -  with Aidan's Clown Hearse. Intensity and bigotted undercurrent fuel this well-observed piece.
• Rebecca (rightly) exposes the tragic experimentation on one species of a race in Tamability, or: The Wild Dreams of Itself, then Mona Lisa - from the same pen - sucks the soul from this cold fox before she flies away.
• Melenka reveals a cautious yet tender love affair twixt animal and humankind (only just) in Transition. Twist and twist again - Crashing the Party dances out desire, in whatever guise is required.
• Tribal assault overwhelms Ragemore's hero/heroine who shares a unique sense of apartness with wise fox in Cast Out.
• The mythical Atlas is brought down to a salacious earth where he sits, lost, bewildered in Chris Allinotte's One more time, Gentlemen. Then we have the cheeky and acerbic observation of a life baited by technology in the hellish poem Tech Support.
• A rage of emotions, bewildered by fear and toppled by abject horror slips down AJ's foxhole in the intense Sacrifice.
• William Davoll has revenge on his mind, and Darla's out to steal if for him without a care in Darla's Wicked Game.
• Such tragedy of a life self-taken, Antonia's Suicide sees a desperate outlook overwhelmed, cold... sad...gone...
• Asuqi shares death with a harbinger through the birchwood in Winter Hunt followed by a complete contrast - a woman who loves from afar yet give herself without care (or self-respect) in Obtainable.
• Anthony turns our heads with his poetic twists and fleshy colours in the strange and haunting My Wet Infection.
• John tears our souls apart, plunging our sinuous spirits into a well of emotion before splitting them away as disparate twins in Madame Fox.
• Steve's Crossing fights with our childhood dreams; makes us question intent in this dancing prose piece.

I am struck by the reverance everyone has for the beautiful fox. Don't think me pretentious but I can't help the shaman in me - we and fox have always shared an affinity. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Straight to it. My winner this week is Aidan Fritz with the terrifying Clown Hearse. As if it wasn't even brilliantly written in the first place I urge you to google 'Westboro(ugh) Church' and then decide whether fact is not more horrific than fiction. Brilliant Aidan, congratulations.

My runner-up is Chris Allinotte with his first piece, One More Time Gentlemen because I loved the concept of a mythical hero lost in a world of urban debauchery. Well done Chris.

I must slumber, lest the morning brings light - and only the darkness will do. Sweet dreams - a demain mes amis.

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Nominated for the 2011 Spinetingler Award: Best Short Story on the Web

I just popped on to Twitter on my lunch break only to find my murderous tale Carpaccio, which was published on Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers last year has been nominated for the 2011 Spinetingler Award for Best Short Story on the Web.

This nomination comes from the highly respected Spinetingler Magazine, so to say I'm honoured is an understatement.

There are ten nominees, I know several of the extraordinary authors and look forward to reading their stories as well as those of the authors who are new to me. Best of luck to all, and congratulations on being nominated.

Voting begins next week - I'll post an update when I know more.

• Read the 2011 Spinetingler Award: Best Short Story on the Web Nominees announcement
• Read Carpaccio by Lily Childs

Thank you!

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Madness In March - and Living In A Box

Mr Chris Allinotte, of Toronto begs your company at his table of fictional delights. For during this week where Winter prepares to give way to the bliss of Spring, screams of frenzied hysteria wreak through his palette, coupled with sighs of despair and delirium smiles.

I am, of course, referring to The Leaky Pencil, where Chris is hosting a whole week of guest writes in the theme of Madness in March.

It's a privilege to have my story 'Living In A Box' as the final piece in the showcase. Do pop over and take a peek...

My story is amongst dynamite company; each and every one worth a read:

• Paranoia by Laurita Miller
• Blister Pack by Richard Godwin
• Mad Dash by Angel Zapata
• The Giver, The Taker, The Monster by Benjamin Sobieck
• Heart Shaped Hammer by Sean Patrick Reardon
• Still Alive by Erin Cole
• Living In A Box by Lily Childs

This is a great idea. Thank you so much, Chris. I'd love to see it become an annual event. And having hosted February Femmes Fatales, I know just how much work it entails - great job!

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Lily's Friday Prediction

Woop, woop - Rebecca Bohn sure gave us a thorough seeing-to with her wonderful judging for last week's Prediction. Bet she hasn't taken those boots off yet. Thank you, Rebecca for such a great job.

Many congratulations to A.J. Humpage for winning with the stunning The Road to Kigali. Ally's style of writing is an inspiration, as is she - a mentor and guide with 20 years in the writing game - do take a look at her All Write - Fiction Advice blog.

Well done to Aidan as runner-up with the dignified Kazuhiro's Dragons and to everyone who entered last week. A truly outstanding collection.

Back to today. My fingers are lingering over the old book - what will it reveal?

• Fox
• Middle
• Surrender

Rules

The rules are: 100 words max flash fiction or poetry using all of the words above. Please add your entries in the Comments box below. You have all week until 9pm UK time on Thursday 24th March to enter.

Winner will be announced next Thursday or Friday. If you can, please tweet about your entry, using the #fridayflash hashtag, and blog if you feel like it.

Come play with my pages - you have a blank canvas.

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Prediction Winner

Oh wow - you lovely people have certainly squeezed your writing juices out this week. And whilst I've been madly scrubbing and repairing my old house all day today, the marvellous Rebecca Bohn has been judging your masterpieces from afar. I'll say no more and hand over to Rebecca...

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Lily gave us three words, and what my fellow Predictioneers did with them overwhelmed me. This must rank as one of the best weeks I’ve seen, and I honestly began to fret on Tuesday when I realized that I would actually have to choose just one. But choose one I must, and so, judging boots on, I begin:

Mimimanderly’s emotionally charged tale of a goodbye, “No Place Like Home,” dropped a house on us and ruefully winked while doing it.

Melenka wrought shiveringly-good suspense in “Centennial,” making us into the cheering crowd and begging to know: What will be unlocked?

Lily’s “Provision” was naughty and exciting, blurring the line between woman and monster and creating art out of priapism.

Aidan F wrought gorgeousness out of tragedy, soaring above the realm of fantasy with a delicate touch in “Kazuhiro’s Dragons.”

Antonia Woodville brought us classic horror courtesy of the ever-divine Bela Lugosi with “The Vampire’s Quest,” feeding us her special brand of… sustenance.

David Barber delights with his dialogue-only piece, “The Two Blokes,” a couple of guys who I’d really like to have a beer with. I’d even buy!

AJ Humpage brought us along on “The Road to Kigali,” searing heartbreaking images onto our retinas in a reminder that horror exists everywhere, even in those places we seldom think about.

Chris Allinotte turned just-another-day-on-the-job into a crime story of gory genius in “Guts, No Glory.” Chris, we’re not sick of the weird ones yet!

John Xero let us get a glimpse of the start of something epic in “Entombed,” his devilish invention freeing itself (at our expense?), and he used the word “penumbral”!

My “Warble” wondered at the origins of song, and dug at an answer.

Sandra Davies showed us the subtle side of horror, creeping at our subconscious much like her heroine’s first tremulous fears in “Early One Morning.”

Angel Zapata’s Vicki has had enough in this home-grown horror story, “Slur,” a lesson for many: hide the key or combination to the gun safe.

Jenny Dreadful hunts vampires without a cliché in sight in the taut “Anything resembling a bath would have stymied me.” And reminded me to floss.

Asuqi was generous, granting us twice the A.S. this week; was it the extra words she gave herself? One isn’t sure, but in her first piece, “Paradise Lost,” she blends dream and reality in a Gaugin of words as birds fly from her prose, and in “I Can Bring Nothing,” her protagonist drinks jasmine tea while draped in the memories of those who have gone before.

Lissa introduced us to Clever, all arrogance (deserved? We must know!) and slickness as he disturbed a raven-haired beauty in her boudoir. My own throat tightened at the thrill of her words.

William Davoll’s suspenseful “After the plague Part II” pits witchcraft against spirits harboring the evilest of intents, and despite the outcome, leaves behind a sense of profound unease.

I cannot begin to say how difficult a task it was to choose a winner. I truly adored each piece, my heart racing at times with the images you created and the beauty of your prose. In the end, though, I found I could not shake the shadowy horror of AJ Humpage’s “The Road to Kigali.” I felt intense discomfort while reading, to the point of tears, and was also deeply moved. Thank you, AJ, for sharing your talent. My runner-up is Aidan Fritz with “Kazuhiro’s Dragons.” I admired the way he used tragedy as inspiration in a way that felt organic and respectful; I’m not sure I could do the same.

Thank you, Lily, for giving me the opportunity to stride about the place in my judging boots. It was too much fun, and my riding crop hasn’t had this much of a workout in ages.

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And thank you, Rebecca for your excellent and insightful judging. I'm sure we all appreciate it. Congratulations to Ally Humpage, and well done to Aidan.

See you tomorrow for a brand new Prediction. A very goodnight to you all.

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