Writing in the Dark: The Workbook

by Tim Waggoner

Like Tim Waggoner’s Bram Stoker Award-winning Writing in the Dark, a manual for how to write horror fiction, this workbook covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from monster, idea, and plotline creation to avoiding clichés and developing the art of suspense. The workbook, however, foregrounds practice over discussion to help writers master these concepts. Both texts stand on their own while working together to provide you with the direction and tools you need to maximize your own authorship.

The wealth of examples, exercises, and tutorials in Writing in the The Workbook are designed to inspire and stretch the imagination. Waggoner draws from his own experiences in addition to other professional writers, among them Laird Barron, Maurice Broaddus, Nadia Bulkin, Ramsey Campbell, Mort Castle, Tananarive Due, Christopher Golden, Grady Hendrix, Daniel Kraus, Joe R. Lansdale, Elizabeth Massie, Graham Masterton, Seanan McGuire, John Shirley, and many others.

Featuring an introduction by Michael A. Arnzen, Writing in the The Workbook will resonate with young authors who are just getting started on their careers as well as veterans of the horror genre and craft.

Genres: Horror, Nonfiction, Reference, Writing

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2022

About the author

Tim Waggoner's first novel came out in 2001, and since then, he's published over sixty novels and eight collections of short stories. He writes original dark fantasy and horror, as well as media tie-ins. He's written tie-in fiction based on Supernatural, The X-Files, Alien, Doctor Who, Conan the Barbarian, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Grimm, and Transformers, among others, and he's written novelizations for films such as Ti West’s X-Trilogy, Halloween Kills, Terrifier 2 and 3, and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. He’s also the author of the award-winning guide to horror Writing in the Dark. He’s a four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award, a one-time winner of the Scribe Award, and he’s been a two-time finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and a one-time finalist for the Splatterpunk Award. He’s also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio.

Reviews

[Becky Spratford · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my favorite Horror Resources for Libraries post: http://raforallhorror.blogspot.com/p/...

[Belinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I preferred Writing in the Dark, I blame myself for not getting as much from the workbook as I should have. Tim Waggoner does a brilliant job delivering additional horror writing tips that build on the foundation laid by Writing in the Dark. His knowledge and insight are obvious. His style is easy to read and engaging. I think to reap the full benefit, the reader really should commit to the writing exercises contained within.

I put these how tos on my list of books to revisit in the future. Maybe next time I'll actually do the work. I believe my writing would be stronger for it.

[Goth Radio Hour · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent writing workbook. So many thoughtful and deep exercises in here. Great to pick up at any point you're feeling stuck in your own writing. While geared towards horror writers, this book works for writers in any genres. Waggoner blesses us with reminders to build strong characters above all else, and not to get too hung up on reality. I will definitely be revisiting this guide in years to come.

[Brigitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

The workbook is filled with so many useful exercises. I’m going to be using it for a very long time.