Picking The Right Genre Pt. 1: Fantasy and Horror

Picking The Right Genre Pt. 1 

I think it’s key to remember that you don’t have to try and be unique, just write something you feel deeply about and it will read much better than if you’re trying to be the next Hemingway.  

Fantasy Writing or what's that you dropped your light sword thingy

Developing strong characters:

The five key areas for building depth in your characters;
1. Create an untold background for each character, which can be alluded to throughout the story. Is your hero really scared of the mystery he faces? Is the world about to be destroyed and only small signs within the tale can help the characters survive?

2. Learn to give each character unique words and manners. Holly Jesus, is that a nervous tick or are you about to shoot me?

3. Give your readers a good visual impression of what your characters look like, the reader will identify with them more. I know, it sounds simple but so many stories don't ever give you a solid image of the people within the novel's world.

4. Learn to intertwine the characters’ back-stories into the whole book; exposing the important background points for a deeper and more personal story. Make your readers understand why the characters are doing what they do.
Is your character coming from pain, joy or confusion? Where they have been will help make it easier for you to write where they are going.

5. Learn how what other characters say and don’t say can shine light on your main character.

Creating a believable word:

Draw an image of the world and its rules with your words.
The difference between:
Sam walked into the building and Sam, in his regulated outfit of grey and green, walked softly up the silver metallic stairs and into the section 5 Concord building.

See, looks easy but you have to know what the world is made of before you can write about it. 

Horror  

Oh no, did you hear that? It sounds like an awesome horror novel just out of reach. 

Watch horror films, read good short horror stories. Begin to let the pacing and sense of terror seep into your skin. What makes something scary? If I had to pick one thing it is the deeply disturbing idea of something not quite within reach or sight; the almost heard and half seen creatures of true terror.

If you're just starting out on writing a horror piece try picking a location and then build around that. You can read a review of perhaps the best horror writer of all time here.