The month of October marks the time for self-indulgence when it comes to all things spooky. From the shadows emerges haunted hayrides, jack-o-lantern carving, and, of course, horror movies. Audiences line up in droves to face their fears behind the comfort of the silver screen. Will the Final Girl escape? Will the exorcist save the possessed? Will the military stop the zombie hoard? Ask the screenwriter. 

This month’s Reading on Writing book of the month takes screenwriters on a deep dive into the horror genre. Writing the Horror Movie by Marc Blake and Sara Bailey equips writers with everything they need to step into the deep, dark genre and bring their nightmares to the page. For the novice screenwriter, this book is a masterclass on horror writing that invites readers to push their creative boundaries by staring their fears in the face. Open to chapter one, if you dare. 

Why I Liked It:

This book covers every conceivable topic on the horror genre ranging from its origins and evolution to competitions around the world. It is extensively researched, and no stone is left unturned. The authors present their findings as both academics and fans of the genre. The love of the art shines through. 

There is a section in the middle of the book that I found particularly enlightening. The authors dedicate chapters six through eight to the classic three-act structure as it pertains to horror films. While the basic concepts remain true to form, the approach to rising tension, character development, and monster reveal are new and refreshing. It was surprising to see how the genre adapts structure to suit its own standards. This is an approach I didn’t previously realize was a possibility and piques my curiosity about whether other genres also put this into practice to such an extensive level. 

My favorite section of the book was the chapter “World Markets.” The authors highlight genre shaping classics from around the globe and give readers introductions to other horror industries. Gaining general exposure to the inner workings of different media industries is sparsely covered in film studies here in the United States. The authors express the importance of being well versed in all facets of the genre and pulling inspiration from international counterparts. The region-specific film recommendations are a special treat, inviting readers to leap even farther out of their viewing comfort zones (provided they can survive the subtitles). 

Constructive Criticism:

This book is extremely dense and reads more like a conversationally written textbook than a traditional how-to guide. It isn’t for the faint of heart, and for those looking for a casual read, it might be best to ease into this type of material with a mild introduction to the genre. However, despite the amount of writing guidance provided throughout the book, there is only a small portion of the text dedicated to putting that guidance into practice. 

The final chapter of the book, “Forming the Idea: Writing Exercises,” feels a little sparse considering the amount of material covered. The authors provide short exercises to get the spooky creative juices flowing to start a horror project. While they help spark ideas, I would have liked to see more writing exercises peppered throughout the text, particularly in the sections that discuss the horror movie’s three-act structure. 

Famous Last Words:

What began as a somewhat daunting read ended up being one of the best books on writing I’ve read so far this year. I would recommend this to any writer interested in approaching horror as a genuine craft. Blake and Bailey bring a level of enthusiasm and expertise to the genre that is both infectious and inspiring. There is plenty of food for thought packed into the pages of the book, especially pertaining to the need for writers to expose themselves to the work of innovators in other industries. I’m glad to have come across this gem just in time for the season. 

For more work from these authors: Marc Blake

        Sara Bailey

About the Writer

Mercedes K. Milner is a Co-Founder and Administrator of the Write or Die Chicks and the Writer’s Group Coordinator. She is a staff writer for the WODC Blog and she heads the Reading on Writing column.