Introduction to Horror Writing for Young Adults
A course by Raquel Castro , Writer
Learn the best strategies to write horror stories from scratch and keep young adults on the edge of their seats
According to writer Raquel Castro, the horror genre is a favorite among adrenaline junkies, i.e., teenagers. In this online course, she teaches you how to harness your own fears and use them to write supernatural horror stories that thrill and captivate young readers.
Discover why we love horror stories so much, their structure, their components, and the strategies that work best in them. By the end of the course, you'll be able to write terrifying stories step by step to leave your reader quaking in their boots.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 22 downloads
- 97% positive reviews (32)
- 1,092 students
- 16 lessons (2h 44m)
- 22 additional resources (2 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: Spanish
- Spanish · English · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create the general outline (plot, development, and ending) of a horror story for young readers to later develop it fully and write one of the scenes.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in writing horror stories for teenagers and who wants to understand the mechanics of this type of storytelling.
Requirements and materials
You don't need any previous knowledge to take this course.
A notebook and pencil or pen will suffice, but it will be helpful to have cards, colored pencils and/or pens, sticky notes, a computer or tablet, and a printer.
Reviews
Raquel Castro
A course by Raquel Castro
Raquel Castro is passionate about stories: listening to them, reading them, watching them on the screen... but above all, inventing them. In particular, she likes to write humor and horror, as well as cover topics related to adolescence and childhood.
Her first book, Ojos llenos de sombra, won the Gran Angular Youth Literature Award (Mexican edition) in 2012. Since then, she has written and published several novels, a book of short stories, a book of essays and, in collaboration with writer Alberto Chimal, a writing manual entitled Cómo escribir tu propia historia.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
Adolescence and Terror, a Winning Combination
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Who Are Teenagers?
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Why Do We like Fear?
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Best Horror Books for Teens
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The First Steps Towards the Project
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U3
The Secret Writing: What to Write before You Start Writing
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Good Characters for Good Stories 1
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Good Characters for Good Stories 2
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Even Monsters Follow Rules: Narrative World Pattern
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The Skeleton of the Story and Its Importance 1
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The Skeleton of the Story and Its Importance 2
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U4
Now Yes, Let’s Write! (And Edit)
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Choosing the Narrator and the Verb Tense
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Actions and Descriptions
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The Dialogues
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Writing and Editing
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Publishing the Text
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to Horror Writing for Young Adults
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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FAQs
This course is designed for intermediate-level writers interested in crafting horror and scary stories for teens. You don’t need to be a professional writer, but basic storytelling knowledge is recommended.
You’ll learn techniques to build chilling atmospheres, develop believable teenage characters, structure horror stories, and analyze what triggers fear in young adult literature.
All you need is a computer or notebook to write, internet access, and a willingness to experiment with the templates and story outlines provided throughout the course.
Yes, the course covers strategies and tips for publishing young adult horror stories and novels, including traditional routes and digital platforms.
Yes, you’ll find templates and exercises to create complex, empathetic, and realistic teen characters, taking into account their psychological and physical traits.
You’ll explore notable authors like Jean Ray and Mexican horror story anthologies, along with key works from the young adult horror genre.
Yes, the course teaches how to turn ideas into full stories using outlines and templates to organize plots, characters, and effective endings.
Creo que ha sido un curso muy fácil de entender e ideal para alguien principiante en el tema
Un curso muy nutrido y lleno de historias que me ayudaron a entender, a cada tipo de público, y así desarrollar las historias de manera más fácil.
Very, very basic and there is very little craft material on writing horror stories. Perhaps the subtitles in English from the Spanish language are incorrect .... I found the course disappointing in that it appears to just be a general course on basic narrative structure and generic elements of a writing a story. If you want a very basic course, then this is a very good introductory course for you.
Ottimo corso, mi piace il modo in cui è stato strutturato. Mi ha guidata affinchè potessi immergermi e produrre un buon lavoro, approcciandomi ad un genere di scrittura cui non avrei mai pensato di trattare.
Me está gustando. Sencillo y fácil como introducción.