Introduction to Horror Writing for Young Adults
A course by Raquel CastroWriter
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
Who Are Teenagers?
7 minutes, 27 seconds
Why Do We like Fear?
4 minutes, 53 seconds
Best Horror Books for Teens
6 minutes, 3 seconds
The First Steps Towards the Project
11 minutes, 54 seconds
Good Characters for Good Stories 1
18 minutes, 8 seconds
Good Characters for Good Stories 2
15 minutes, 8 seconds
What's included in this course?
Raquel Castro starts off the course by telling you more about her relationship with horror literature, from the time she was a teenager to how she has incorporated it into her writing as an adult. She also talks about her main influences and why she believes this genre helps us understand the world better.
Next, see how teen readers can relate to the horror genre before defining the characteristics of your final piece, the main theme, and "skeleton" of the story.
Explore the different narrative components and analyze what factors make an impact on readers. Then learn how to build good characters, invent a believable world, and understand the importance of structure.
Now it's time to write! First, choose the narrator's point of view and the verb tense. Raquel then teaches you strategies for developing action, description, and dialogue. Finally, your teacher gives you some tips on how to proofread your text and get it published.
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
- 5 months ago
Creo que ha sido un curso muy fácil de entender e ideal para alguien principiante en el tema
- 1 year ago
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.
- 1 year ago
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.
- 1 year ago
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.
- 1 year ago
Me está gustando. Sencillo y fácil como introducción.
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
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Adolescence and Terror, a Winning Combination
- Who Are Teenagers?
- Why Do We like Fear?
- Best Horror Books for Teens
- The First Steps Towards the Project
- U3
The Secret Writing: What to Write before You Start Writing
- Good Characters for Good Stories 1
- Good Characters for Good Stories 2
- Even Monsters Follow Rules: Narrative World Pattern
- The Skeleton of the Story and Its Importance 1
- The Skeleton of the Story and Its Importance 2
- U4
Now Yes, Let’s Write! (And Edit)
- Choosing the Narrator and the Verb Tense
- Actions and Descriptions
- The Dialogues
- Writing and Editing
- Publishing the Text
- FP
Final project
- Introduction to Horror Writing for Young Adults
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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.