4 Genre-Writing Books Worth Reading (Book Notes)

Where Nightmares Come From: The Art of Storytelling in the Horror Genre

Where Nightmares Come From: The Art of Storytelling in the Horror Genre is a fascinating and insightful collection of essays and interviews that delves into the art and craft of horror storytelling. Edited by Joe Mynhardt and Eugene Johnson, this book features contributions from some of the biggest names in the horror genre, including Clive Barker, Joe R. Lansdale, Ramsey Campbell, and Jack Ketchum.

One of the book's strengths is the variety of perspectives it offers on the horror genre. The essays cover a range of topics, from the beginnings of the scare-genre to the nuts and bolts of writing horror fiction. Throughout the book, there are valuable insights and advice for both readers and writers who are interested in horror fiction. The writing in Where Nightmares Come From is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to dive into the subject matter.

The structure of the book makes it easy to navigate, and readers can choose to read the essays and interviews that interest them the most. The essays explore the origins of horror and the human fascination with fear, the craft of writing horror, with essays on topics such as character development, pacing, and setting, interviews with established horror writers, who discuss their inspirations, creative processes, and the challenges of writing in the genre, as well as the business of horror, including publishing, marketing, and promoting horror fiction.

SUMMARY: Where Nightmares Come From is a must-read for horror fans and aspiring horror writers. The book provides a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, and it's sure to leave readers with a deeper appreciation for the horror genre. Highly recommended.

Crime Thriller: How to Write Detective, Noir, Caper & Heist, Gangster, and Police Procedural Thrillers

Crime Thriller: How to Write Detective, Noir, Caper & Heist, Gangster, and Police Procedural Thrillers by Paul Tomlinson is a writing guide that offers advice and insights on writing various sub-genres of crime thrillers. The author has extensive experience in writing crime novels, including detective stories, police procedurals, and gangster tales.

The book is organized into chapters that cover different sub-genres of crime thrillers, including detective fiction, noir, caper and heist stories, gangster tales, and police procedurals. For each sub-genre, the author provides examples of popular books and movies, as well as tips on how to create engaging characters, build suspenseful plots, and write gripping dialogue.

The author also provides practical advice on the craft of writing, including tips on outlining, pacing, and revising. He covers common pitfalls that writers may encounter when writing crime thrillers, such as creating believable villains and avoiding cliches.

One of the strengths of Crime Thriller: How to Write Detective, Noir, Caper & Heist, Gangster, and Police Procedural Thrillers is the author's clear and concise writing style. He offers practical advice that is easy to understand and apply, making it a valuable resource for aspiring writers.

SUMMARY - Crime Thriller: How to Write Detective, Noir, Caper & Heist, Gangster, and Police Procedural Thrillers is a comprehensive guide that covers a range of sub-genres within the crime thriller category. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced writer, this book is a useful resource for honing your craft and developing your own unique style in the crime thriller genre.

Mystery: How to Write Traditional & Cozy Whodunits

Mystery: How to Write Traditional & Cozy Whodunits is a guidebook written by Paul Tomlinson, a seasoned author and teacher of writing craft. The book is intended to help aspiring writers learn the ins and outs of writing traditional and cozy mystery novels, two sub-genres of mystery fiction that are known for their engaging characters, intricate plots, and often lighter tone compared to other types of crime fiction.

The book covers a wide range of topics, including the key elements of a traditional or cozy mystery, such as the setting, the cast of characters, the plot, and the solution to the crime. Tomlinson also provides advice on developing an engaging protagonist, creating believable suspects, crafting red herrings, and building suspense.

One of the book's strengths is the practical advice it provides on the actual process of writing a mystery novel, including tips on outlining, pacing, and incorporating clues and foreshadowing into the story. Tomlinson also includes numerous examples from classic and contemporary mystery novels, as well as writing exercises and prompts to help readers apply what they've learned.

Another strength of the book is its focus on the traditional and cozy sub-genres, which are often overlooked in favor of more hard-boiled or noir-style crime fiction. Tomlinson provides a helpful overview of the key characteristics of these sub-genres, as well as advice on how to avoid common pitfalls and clichés.

SUMMARY - Mystery: How to Write Traditional & Cozy Whodunits is a valuable resource for anyone interested in writing mystery fiction, especially those interested in the traditional and cozy sub-genres. With its clear and practical advice, numerous examples, and writing exercises, it provides a comprehensive guide to the craft of mystery writing.

Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories That Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats

Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories That Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats by Jane K. Cleland is a guidebook for writers. The book covers the basics of plot structure and character development, and provides tips on how to build tension and suspense throughout the story.

The author emphasizes the importance of understanding the different types of suspense, including dramatic, emotional, and intellectual suspense. She provides examples of each type and explains how to use them effectively in a story. Cleland also delves into the mechanics of plot, including creating a hook, developing a crisis, and resolving conflicts.

One of the strengths of the book is the numerous examples Cleland provides, drawn from both classic and contemporary literature. She analyzes these examples to show how they use different techniques to create suspense and keep readers engaged.

In addition to discussing plot and suspense, Cleland covers topics such as dialogue, setting, and pacing. She also provides practical advice on how to revise and edit a manuscript to improve its pacing, suspense, and overall effectiveness.

SUMMARY: Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot is a valuable resource for writers of all levels.