siobhanward's review
informative
medium-paced
3.5
This was a good read and I love how current it is - lots of talk about things happening right now in the horror genre, including the rise of the internet and things like Creepypastas. However, I found that sometimes it went really far into getting your story published or picked up, rather than focusing on how we tell horror stories. However, I didn't let that impact my rating - it wasn't something I was looking for in the book, but I understand its place there.
I loved the variety of authors included in the book - some I've read, some I want to read and some new names I'll have to check out! I particularly loved the articles - the glimpses inside the minds of these authors. I didn't really love the interview portions. They were fine, but not nearly to the same caliber as the other articles. Definitely worth a read if you're interested in knowing more about how horror is crafted.
I loved the variety of authors included in the book - some I've read, some I want to read and some new names I'll have to check out! I particularly loved the articles - the glimpses inside the minds of these authors. I didn't really love the interview portions. They were fine, but not nearly to the same caliber as the other articles. Definitely worth a read if you're interested in knowing more about how horror is crafted.
arachan's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
3.5
This is a patchwork book with different authors writing about different parts of writing horror. The plus side to this is that whatever part of the horror writing subject you want to read about, there's likely a chapter about that. The downside to this is, well, if you don't want to know about how to shoot a horror movie, there are chapters that are going to bore you.
If you want a very generalized chat about the genre and writing it, this is an excellent book but don't look too hard for specifics.
If you want a very generalized chat about the genre and writing it, this is an excellent book but don't look too hard for specifics.
ziwxbhld's review
5.0
Following in the footsteps of Horror 101 and their Writers On Writing series, Crystal Lake Publishing release another fascinating peek at the mechanics of horror writing. If you're like me, you'll head straight for your favourite author's contribution, which means I was able to spend a happy half-hour—possibly more—flicking back and forth through my copy of Ramsey Campbell's 'Holding The Light' whilst enjoying his very detailed notes entitled 'The Process Of A Tale'.
I'd already come across the Clive Barker contribution, as I remember the publication of his A-Z of Horror back when the original series was broadcast, but it didn't stop me enjoying a re-read.
There are plenty of treats in here for the horror fan: I'm not sure whether it's best to start at the beginning and work your way through or do what I've done and dip in to read about my areas of interest, but either way there are some absolute delights in here, and at a very reasonable launch price.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'd already come across the Clive Barker contribution, as I remember the publication of his A-Z of Horror back when the original series was broadcast, but it didn't stop me enjoying a re-read.
There are plenty of treats in here for the horror fan: I'm not sure whether it's best to start at the beginning and work your way through or do what I've done and dip in to read about my areas of interest, but either way there are some absolute delights in here, and at a very reasonable launch price.
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
vondav's review against another edition
5.0
As an avid reader of all things horror, I have always had an interest in where authors get their ideas, how do they just sit at a keyboard and write. These and many more questions are answered. With interviews and articles each chapter has an authors insight on where nightmare come from.
In every chapter I learnt something new and in something cases even found some new authors to read or films to watch.
One chapter I was really interested in was Urban Lore and the Rise of the Creepypasta by Michael Paul Gonzalez. Learning about the origins of Creepypasta had me intrigued and when I have some spare time I will google some just to take a read. Throughout this chapter I was waiting for the one character that my kids would not shut up about and that was Slenderman . Reading about him showed what an big impact his stories had on people.
Reading how Ramsey Campbell edited his story made the words come to life and it was a fine example on how a change of word here or there really made the story. It felt you were leaning over his shoulder reading and watching the words as he wrote.
Each author’s chapter had a friendly tone to them and not once was there an element of talking down. Each and everyone wanted to share their knowledge which in some cases spanned years. I attend many book events where I sit in on interviews and panels and this book felt like I was at one of these event but it was a lot cheaper.
Whether you have that burning desire to write a story or have been writing for years this book will suit a vast amount of people. But it does not stop with novels, there is a lot of media where horror plays a big part and if you fancy yourself as a screen writer or an author of graphic novels than you will also find some useful tips.
In every chapter I learnt something new and in something cases even found some new authors to read or films to watch.
One chapter I was really interested in was Urban Lore and the Rise of the Creepypasta by Michael Paul Gonzalez. Learning about the origins of Creepypasta had me intrigued and when I have some spare time I will google some just to take a read. Throughout this chapter I was waiting for the one character that my kids would not shut up about and that was Slenderman . Reading about him showed what an big impact his stories had on people.
Reading how Ramsey Campbell edited his story made the words come to life and it was a fine example on how a change of word here or there really made the story. It felt you were leaning over his shoulder reading and watching the words as he wrote.
Each author’s chapter had a friendly tone to them and not once was there an element of talking down. Each and everyone wanted to share their knowledge which in some cases spanned years. I attend many book events where I sit in on interviews and panels and this book felt like I was at one of these event but it was a lot cheaper.
Whether you have that burning desire to write a story or have been writing for years this book will suit a vast amount of people. But it does not stop with novels, there is a lot of media where horror plays a big part and if you fancy yourself as a screen writer or an author of graphic novels than you will also find some useful tips.
aceofknaves88's review
5.0
An excellent collection of essays on the craft of horror writing that I am definitely going to have to read multiple times to fully digest. Jam-packed with good information!
tbr_the_unconquered's review
3.0
Where exactly do horror writers (or any writer for that matter) get their ideas from ? This should be shelved away with such cliché questions in the line of :
• How do you know how to act and how to react ? - The questions we ask actors
• How did you know how to take that photograph ? – The questions we ask a photographer
• How did you create this catchy tune ? – The questions we ask a musician etc..
What a lot of people who ask this question forget is the tremendous amounts of back breaking hard work that goes behind every piece of write that finds a resonance with us. Taking just one of these professions, one can quote Henri Cartier-Bresson who quite aptly said that “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” A lot of rewrites, drafts and discarded ideas fuel some of the works of art we love but somehow a lot of people are ignorant to all this. Some if not most of the articles in this book are reminders for this.
A lot of authors – both renowned and relatively unknown share the inner workings of their writing process in the course of this book. The most interesting aspect about this collection is that the articles range across writing for different mediums. You have authors telling you about how to write novels, short stories, novellas, comics and also for the TV and movies. There is some good advice and tips that they share and it makes for good reading if not being repetitive at places. The articles by Joe R.Lansdale and Ramsey Campbell stand out for being no-nonsense examples of the writer’s craft.
The title might make you think that the book will give you a writer’s perspective of where horror fiction really emanates from in the labyrinth’s of a writer’s mind and yet that is not the case. The articles are more about the writing process and it’s nuances than a really detailed view of how an author can bring forth horror from his/her imagination. I might have to keep looking for this aspect of writing but as for being a reinforcement of the principles behind being a writer ( write, write and then write some more) this is a good read.
Recommended !
• How do you know how to act and how to react ? - The questions we ask actors
• How did you know how to take that photograph ? – The questions we ask a photographer
• How did you create this catchy tune ? – The questions we ask a musician etc..
What a lot of people who ask this question forget is the tremendous amounts of back breaking hard work that goes behind every piece of write that finds a resonance with us. Taking just one of these professions, one can quote Henri Cartier-Bresson who quite aptly said that “Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” A lot of rewrites, drafts and discarded ideas fuel some of the works of art we love but somehow a lot of people are ignorant to all this. Some if not most of the articles in this book are reminders for this.
A lot of authors – both renowned and relatively unknown share the inner workings of their writing process in the course of this book. The most interesting aspect about this collection is that the articles range across writing for different mediums. You have authors telling you about how to write novels, short stories, novellas, comics and also for the TV and movies. There is some good advice and tips that they share and it makes for good reading if not being repetitive at places. The articles by Joe R.Lansdale and Ramsey Campbell stand out for being no-nonsense examples of the writer’s craft.
The title might make you think that the book will give you a writer’s perspective of where horror fiction really emanates from in the labyrinth’s of a writer’s mind and yet that is not the case. The articles are more about the writing process and it’s nuances than a really detailed view of how an author can bring forth horror from his/her imagination. I might have to keep looking for this aspect of writing but as for being a reinforcement of the principles behind being a writer ( write, write and then write some more) this is a good read.
Recommended !
josephvanburen's review
5.0
Crystal Lake Publishing puts out a lot of good nonfiction books, but this just might be my favorite one yet. This book is loaded with interviews and articles from some of the biggest and most successful names in horror fiction: Clive Barker, Joe Landsdale, Ramsey Campbell, Richard Thomas, Stephanie Wytovich, Lisa Morton, Christopher Golden, Jonathan Maberry, Stephen King, and plenty others. The wisdom within is like a treasure chest full of gold for writers, with some fascinating insights into the processes of established professionals. Some of it consists of practical tips, some is more abstract and philosophical. Definitely helpful for writers, but I also think a peek into the minds of the masters would be interesting to many fans and readers as well. Overall, a great collection of advice and anecdotes from those that have been there, done that, and brought us some of our favorite tales of terror for many decades.
mcholodewitsch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0