Hello all you WW's out there, hope you are well and able to answer a few questions for me.

I've recently switched from being a screenwriter to wanting to return to my first love of prose writing, namely of the horror/crime/thriller variety. I have lurked through most of the forums that I can find but as a trial member some areas are blocked so I cannot find everything I need to, so if you could get back to me with answers to the following I'd be very grateful.

1. As I'm interested most in horror, can you upload your own stories to the WW Horror group for people to read and review?

2. I have never written a full blown novel, and I'm currently starting with flash fiction and shorts - and reading up on the usual writing guides on plotting/characterisation/dialogue etc - but once I get a grip on this do I have to write shorts? Can I plot a book out and create my main characters and ask for feedback on the site before I begin?

3. Are there examples of how to layout a manuscript on the site?

4. I'm interested in writing a commercial horror novel (which itself is a paradox nowadays) but I believe that the horror market being in a state of flux is a good thing - it needs shaking up. It's not as popular now as it was in its 1980s heyday with the likes of messer's King/Kootnz/Barker outselling all and sundry but with fantasy proving to have such rich pickings over the last few years I'm wondering if a revival could be on the cards - but I'm unsure how I can appeal to a large audience and also keep my integrity in scaring the pants of people? Answers on a postcard please...

Many thanks...

Hi, indentkid, and Welcome to WriteWords.
I will do my best to answer your questions, but if you need any more help just ask.

1. As I'm interested most in horror, can you upload your own stories to the WW Horror group for people to read and review?

Yes, as a trial member you can upload one piece of work into any group you decide to join. If you subscribe to WW then you can upload more of your work - there is a two day rule, meaning you have to wait two days between uploads. Feedback can take a week or two - longer if the group is quiet - so I'd recommend waiting longer before uploading more. If you find a group is too quiet you can join other groups and upload your work there. (again, that is if you become a member).

2. I have never written a full blown novel, and I'm currently starting with flash fiction and shorts - and reading up on the usual writing guides on plotting/characterisation/dialogue etc - but once I get a grip on this do I have to write shorts? Can I plot a book out and create my main characters and ask for feedback on the site before I begin?

You can start writing a full blown novel anytime. Often it can help one's inspiration to continue writing shorts and flash fiction pieces at the same time as you are working on the main novel. It also helps one's self confidence if your shorts are picked up for publication, which can spur you on in the long, dark, lonely, (you get the point ) nights of novel writing. At the very least, it's good practice.
If you want feedback before beginning then feel free to post your outline on the Synopsis & Outline Group for feedback, although, often the characters don't really get going until you are writing it, and you may find the plot changes course as the story developes, so my advice would be just jump in at the deep end and get writing. If you get stuck at any stage then feel free to ask for help.

3. Are there examples of how to layout a manuscript on the site?

Layout facility on WW is fairly limited. Have a look at how others have uploaded theirs and go with that. Some people double space their lines, others don't. Personally i wouldn't bother, although to can help the eye if you put a space between paragraphs, and use a new line each time a new character starts speaking.

4. I'm interested in writing a commercial horror novel (which itself is a paradox nowadays) but I believe that the horror market being in a state of flux is a good thing - it needs shaking up. It's not as popular now as it was in its 1980s heyday with the likes of messer's King/Kootnz/Barker outselling all and sundry but with fantasy proving to have such rich pickings over the last few years I'm wondering if a revival could be on the cards - but I'm unsure how I can appeal to a large audience and also keep my integrity in scaring the pants of people? Answers on a postcard please...

Not sure I can answer that (my genre is Childrens). Horror has always been popular - although agents say they are fed up to the back teeth with Vampire manuscripts, but only because everyone seems to be writing them and it's difficult to think up a new angle on the old story that a dozen other writers haven't already covered.
Horror is especially popular in Young Adult (ie. Teen) fiction, so that may be something to look into.
Whatever you decide, all the best with it.


- NaomiM

NaomiM,

Thanks very much for responding to my original post, you've answered everything really well and provided me with some some timely inspiration too! If this is an indication of how good the site is then I'll be joining asap!

Thanks again!

Identkid