Horror Screenwriting: The Nature of Fear

by Devin Watson

Horror has, among all of the genres in film and written works, one of the longest, most distinguished, and often misunderstood bloodlines in history. It is often overlooked by critics who don't see anything more than blood and guts on the screen, or a collection of cheap scares. But what is missed is the hard-hitting commentary on society and life contained in those works.

Genres: Writing, Horror, Nonfiction

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Tom Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly accessible and practical guide to writing horror scripts. Some fundamentals of craft are laid out nicely. Good and well known examples are provided. Fun, conversational, and inspiring. If you are looking for script formatting, look elsewhere. This is about the story and what makes for good writing when drafting a screenplay.

[Brett Grossmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very textbooky. I guess that is the point. I found it interesting except for the sample script he used throughout the book. Total carpenter The Thing rip off good if you know nothing about screenwriting

[Upen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really about horror writing but more about writing in general. A very basic book with valid points and great for beginners and good examples with simple theories.

[Arron Danehy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book if you're looking for screenwriting tips, but lacks the specifics on horror as I had expected

[Christian Butcher · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's not really about writing horror, but I understand the need to differentiate in the crowded screenwriting how to shelf. Devin Watson seems to be a perfectly adequate introductory screenwriting professor at a mid level university putting his class into book form, and that's about it. If you've never written a screenplay, this might be a good book to start with. It's the kid's pool of screenwriting books. I've read a lot of screenwriting books, written many screenplays, and I'm in the midst of a horror script and was curious to find some professional advice on developing and executing scares, building suspense and dread, and dragging out the danger and tension. This doesn't have it. The "Horror" in the title is a gimmick, now I'm just glad I got this from the library instead of paying for it.

[Jazz Virk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devin has written a brilliant no none sense book from the history of horror films then cutting to the chase and going on a ride with him on writing a sample horror screenplay. Done deal!

[Inky]

This was a school book I read a few months ago but I forgot to include. I forget the actual date I read it so I'm just putting in today's date.