I recently was lucky enough to read and review WRITING DARK STORIES
BY RAYNE HALL
This is an Ebook that is easily ordered from Amazon
I saw an advertisement this book and I knew I had to read it since I personally love to write and blog and because my daughter who is 12 also loves to write scary stories. I thought this would be an excellent book project that we could both read and work on together.
Rayne Hall is an amazing author and not only that, she is also very knowledgeable when it comes to writing, storytelling and helping aspiring authors really say what they are feeling and putting that into words.
WRITING DARK STORIES is the 6th installment of her WRITING CRAFT BOOKS.
What I really found interesting about this book is that Hall clearly defines that everyone is different, and the suggestions she has written, are just that, you do not have to use her suggestions, or you can use a combination of them,
I did a little research on what other reviewers of WRITING DARK STORIES had to say about this book, and a few of them upset me because they stated the book didn't give them good enough ideas or story lines, I don't want to go to into depth on that but I believe it is up to the author to make up their own stories, plots and characters.
This is a writing technique book. It will help enrich your writing, not too restrict your writing. This book helps bring us out of the box, and add that extra spine tingling touch that us as writers want our readers to feel. After all, this is why we read and write dark stories isn't it?
I would like to first state that this is written in British English and I am a Californian who has never traveled overseas and I could follow it just fine!
I really could go on and on about the subject matter that Hall has shared in this book, but then you wouldn't need to purchase it, so instead I am just going to touch on some of our favorite and not so favorite parts.
My daughter and I both agreed one of our favorite chapters was Chapter 1. It is titled:
FEED YOUR FICTION WITH YOUR FEARS
It really helps started our creative process flowing and Hall really explains in it a way that easy for a teen to understand but also in depth enough for an experienced author.
At the end of every chapter Hall as an assignment for you to partake in, I was not expecting that as I have never read any of her other books, but we found it very helpful and encouraging.
My daughter and I also found Chapter 3 extremely interesting as there is a section titled PROMPTS that gives you some great coping skills for and tips for dealing with writers block.
Hall gives new meaning to horror genres as she covers topics like horror, splatter plunk, extreme horror, dystopian, and many more, Its like having your own dark glossary but with a fresh twist.
Chapter 6 is one I personally enjoyed as well as it teaches you how to write and acknowledge different characters point of view.
Chapter 8 & 9 were awesome and my daughters ultimate favorites as she could really relate.
In these chapters, Hall explains how to creatively write and give that anxiety type feel and also how to get visceral. Excellent advice!
I do have to admit that some of the ending how to chapters do feel a little redundant at times, but I do understand that Hall is trying to be as informative as possible.
Chapter 13,
HOW TO END YOUR STORY
This has some very good advice and great points. The ending is supposed to be the climax and leave you wanting more.
I know of quite a few popular authors who could use this chapter. There has been so many times when I have been reading a good book and the ending is just a mess. it can ruin the whole book. Hall explains how not to do this.
WRITING DARK STORIES also help you understand your readers more and in the very end Hall also gives you examples of some of her copy written stories that when you read, you can now relate to what you have read and learned in WRITING DARK STORIES.
In closing I want to say that if you are an author or thinking of becoming an author of dark stories you may want to seriously considering purchasing this ebook. This is a book that will remain on our Kindle and be used throughout our writing career.
Author Rayne Hall's kitty Sulu. Hall rescued Sulu from the shelter.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using
Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.