Writing Horror (Self-Counsel Writing) (Paperback)

~ Edo Van Belkom (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

...a nuts-and-bolts how-to addition to the Self-Counsel Press Writing Series. -- The London Free Press, June 3,2000

Edo van Belkom has...an empathetic soul to show you the blood-greased ropes of the horror biz. -- Edmonton Journal, June 26,2000

For the ultimate guide to how it is done, you need Edo van Velkom's Writing Horror. -- Coast Independent, September 10,2000

It's a how-to text of frightening for fun and profit. -- Edmonton Sun, June 11,2000

Van Belkom treads fearlessly through the graveyard of horror cliches...offering a systematic approach to fresh and creative scare-mongering. -- The Province, April 16,2000

Product Description

Takes you through the process of creating horror, including the art of suspending reader disbelief, the creation of atmosphere and believable characters, and the seven steps of plotting.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Self-Counsel Press (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551802813
• ISBN-13: 978-1551802817
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #404,144 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Somehow lacking..., July 11, 2003

By A Customer

I'm not sure what others saw in this book. My writer friend and I both found it very unhelpful. Van Belkom seems to have a rather staunch and simplistic view of everything he discussed in this book. For example, he considers the use of the first-person point-of-view pretentious sounding, as if to say "look at me, I'm literary." What a baffling (and not to mention entirely unuseful) opinion.

What also bothered me was that despite the large dimensions of the book, the margins are huge, and there just isn't as much material as I'd hoped for--especially not in the area of the craft itself (as opposed to the marketing aspects).

I see that this book was appreciated by many other readers, so I'm not going to advise against buying it altogether. Just beware that if you're looking for in-depth analysis about the actual craft of horror writing, this may not satisfy.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great entry level course on horror writing, August 5, 2000

By	Ian Glavine (Springdale, Newfoundland Canada) - See all my reviews

I've been writing since I was 15 but I've lacked the initiative and experience to finish a story, now that I've read Writing Horror I've done the exercises and finished a few stories. I found the sections on the seven steps of plotting and the five ways to open a story immensely helpful. The exercises and advice are geared towards short story writing although there's a few helpful hints about book length fiction. Throughout the book Van Belkom stresses how hard the publishing industry is, only those who stick it out will make it in this business. Also of note, being a fellow Canadian it's refreshing to see a writing book told from the perspective of a Canadian author. Use this book to write a story and Renni Browne's Self Editing For Fiction Writers to edit it into print. I can't recommend this book enough.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for the novice, November 24, 2003

By A Customer

I'm glad I purchased this book. It's basically a "beginners" book for anyone considering writing horror fiction. I've taken writing classes, but none that specifically focus on the horror genre. I want to write horror short-stories, and that's the main focus of the book. Belkom gives great advice and examples of the various ways to start a story, how to decide if your tale is best suited to short story, novel, etc... He also talks about dialogue, and many other things the novice horror writer should be concerned with - format, story ideas, and characterization just to name a few. I think it could've gone a little more in-depth on most of the topics, but that's my only complaint.