A classic scene that terrified audiences back in the day was that moment in Halloween where an out-of focus Michael Myers (“The Shape”) sits up behind the traumatized Jamie Lee Curtis. “Behind you! BEHIND YOU!” The audience screamed. The audience knowing something threatening that the character doesn't see plays ...

A fun type of character is the Comedy Villain. This is not a comic relief character in a more serious story; this is the Villain in a Comedic story or series. Actually, they MIGHT be the funniest character - but we'll get to that in a bit.

The legendary comedy ...

Horror…and the baddies and creepies and long-legged beasties of horror…come in many flavours.
These divisions might be incomplete or somewhat meaningless in a way, but hey, I have to approach it somehow…


Reality Bites: Human Creeps, Scary Animals and Nature
-Serial Killers, Jason, Michael Myers, The Strangers, And ...

On our last Quackcast I had a realization about one of the recurring elements that shows up in a lot of horror I like.

It's the hidden nature of horror. When someone, or something, appears normal or even extra sweet or appealing, but hides nasty stuff beneath.

It's ...

Many stories feature some kind of underdog in the beginning. This is a standard approach to a Protagonist. They may be very capable and bright, but have a lower status or disadvantage of some kind. This helps make them relatable and helps people root for them to win. Most mainstream ...

Giving Mythic Scale to your Stories



Dexter and the Trinity Killer - this may not look like an epic confrontation…but it sure as heck was!


The classic Star Wars trilogy was a phenomenon and a triumph on multiple levels. One of the things it's famous for is it's ...

A story can be strengthened by coordinating the first and final images in some way.

It's not a hard and fast rule; it's not a rule at all. But it can be worth trying out in your writing!

The movie Halloween (there it is! I had to start ...

It's time for horror talk!

I was just watching a discussion by the red letter media dudes about one of my favorite horror flicks, The Re-Animator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAPeMftLe_o

They addressed something I've talked about before, and still agree with.

A horror story can ...

Talking Stock

A good character is a three-dimensional character, right? They have to be relateable. With wants and fears that make sense. And a bit of a history. And a flaw or two to keep them “human”. And a wound to try and overcome. And maybe even a contradiction within ...

A story can be strengthened by coordinating the first and final images in some way.

It's not a hard and fast rule; it's not a rule at all. But it can be worth trying out in your writing!

The movie Halloween (there it is! I had to start ...