Writing Horror: Insights from the Twisted50 Project
Ever thought about writing a horror story but weren’t sure where to start? Well, there’s this cool project called Twisted50 that’s making it super easy for writers to dive into the spooky world of horror fiction. The project’s founder, Chris Jones, recently sat down with script editor Lucy Hay to spill all the juicy details about writing horror and getting published.
One of the best things about Twisted50 is how accessible it is. You don’t need to be Stephen King to get involved – all you need is a 2000-word horror story and the willingness to give feedback to other writers. It’s like a horror writers’ support group, but way less scary than it sounds! As Chris puts it, “It’s such a low bar to entry because, you know, everybody can write a story under 2000 words.”
The conversation between Chris and Lucy got really interesting when they started talking about why horror is such a powerful genre. They both grew up in the 80s, surrounded by classic horror that shaped their love for the genre. They pointed out how zombies have stuck around in horror because they’re like a blank canvas – you can make them represent pretty much anything. As Lucy mentioned, zombies started as a metaphor for capitalism and consumer culture, but they’ve evolved to represent all sorts of social issues.
When it comes to actually writing horror, both experts had some killer advice. They stressed the importance of grabbing readers right from the start and using active language to keep the story moving. Here’s a gem of advice they shared: “Write as though nobody’s ever going to read it.” This isn’t because your writing is bad, but because it frees you up to explore those dark corners of your imagination without holding back.
The community aspect of Twisted50 is pretty unique. Writers don’t just submit their stories and hope for the best – they become part of a supportive network where everyone helps each other improve. The feedback process is designed to be constructive rather than critical, with both Chris and Lucy suggesting that writers frame their comments as questions rather than judgments. This approach helps writers develop their skills without feeling attacked or discouraged.
For anyone looking to get into horror writing, they had some practical tips that are easy to implement. One cool suggestion was to listen to horror movie soundtracks while writing to help set the mood. They also emphasized that you don’t need to be a horror fan to write in the genre – sometimes coming at it from a fresh perspective can lead to the most interesting stories. The main thing is just to start writing and not be afraid to explore those dark ideas lurking in your mind.
The whole conversation really highlighted how horror writing can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re dealing with supernatural monsters or exploring real-world fears, there’s something uniquely cathartic about crafting a horror story. And with initiatives like Twisted50 making it easier than ever to get involved in the horror writing community, there’s never been a better time to give it a shot. After all, as the experts suggest, everyone’s got at least one good horror story in them – it’s just a matter of letting it out!
Filmmaker, Author and Festival founder. Currently directing splinter unit on Mission: Impossible 8 and Exec Producing Apple Original show title TBC.
