Review: Every Writer Should Read This Book!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 17, 2013
If you grew up reading Goosebumps books, Fear Street novels and anything by Stephen King, then sooner or later you've probably have attempted to write your own spooky story, maybe it was a haunted house story (I have written plenty of them.). Horror writing may not be as easy as it looks, but you are in luck, as author Rayne Hall has written a book just for this situation, titled Writing Scary Scenes.Throughout the twenty-six chapters, Rayne Hall will help you write the perfect scary scene that will grab a hold of your readers and won't let them go until their hearts are racing and they're afraid to turn to the next page. Learn how to instantly hook a reader with just a simple line of anxiety and fear. Don't try to use too much gore, though it does work for some tales, but try to show your readers what your character is feeling and describe the atmosphere around him or her.Remember never to throw a character into an unnecessary scene, but give a clever reason or motivation for what is going on. Have your character isolated from the outside world; turn off the lights, cut the land line and either have the cell phone lose signal or the battery goes dead.Using all five senses (sight, sound, taste, smell, and touch) will give a reader a feeling that they're actually walking along side your character, feeling everything they feel. Give your story a creepy atmosphere with shutters banging, floorboards squeaky, etc.Whether you are a published writer or a newbie, I think everybody can benefit from reading Writing Scary Scenes, as it gives great tips. The author even shares a few of his short stories at the end of the book, giving you an idea how to set up a horror scene. I have published several spooky stories for kids and I think the book has great tips that I'll be using in the future.