Writing Horror by Edo Van Belkom, is a hard to find book but worth the search. Van Belkom lives in Toronto and writes a wide range of horror, including the popular Wolfpack YA horror series. The book reads like an easy to relate to text book and some of the information provided can be found in much easier to locate books on the craft but Van Belkom has some serious style that would be worth learning or any new author.

If King’s book is in part inspirational then The Writing Fairy Guide to Calling Yourself a Writer by Dorothea Helms is all inspirational and motivating. Helms has made a living out of writing and approaches it daily as a business the same as going to work at a regular nine-to-five job but one she takes great joy in, even when it gets hard to do. The first thing she starts off with is by giving the reader permission to call themselves "a writer". It seems like a simple concept but I saw her lecture at a local library and let me tell you as a young writer plagued with self-doubt, it is intensely liberating to be told it is okay to tell people that I am a writer. I use to tell people I write. Never that I was a writer. It helped to feel less guilty about this after my first publication but thanks to Mrs. Helms I now say it without shame. Filled with motivational exorcises that break down the self-imposed barriers we all put up, I think you’ll find her lessons invaluable.

There are many other books out there and you should seek them out. Not just in your chosen field of horror but in other genres as well. I’ve learned many great lessons from reading books on writing mystery and thrillers as well as romance even. A good novel incorporates some of the elements of these other genres and a great novel that will appeal to many and stand the test of time to be called a classic incorporates all of those elements. Life isn’t just filled with horror. There is mystery, love, and history. Don’t forget that and readers won’t forget the tale you weave.

To take this lesson a step further is also to remember that a book shouldn’t only be fiction, for no fiction can stand without support in fact and to help with this aspect the library is your friend. Research the people, places, occupations and events of your story but when writing don’t bog the story down with too many facts otherwise you might as well right a text book on the subject. Roughly 80% of what you learn while researching shouldn’t make it into the final product. You’ll know what things to include and the rest is only there to help you write those things with confidence. If you feel like you don’t know what you’re talking about it will come across in your work and readers will pick up on that; feeling even more lost than you. Plus you’ll be so worried that you’re not getting your facts straight you’ll forget to write believable prose. The end effect won’t be a fun experience. Knowing your facts lets you write them as if it were second nature.

I’d also like to encourage anyone reading this who has a book they would recommend to list it here in the comments section if it hasn’t already appeared above. Pass on them gems people.

Now, hit the books!

Brandon Layng