Month: October 2023

Annie Dreadful: A New YA Supernatural Horror Series on YouTube

Looking for your next suspenseful and chilling story about the world of monsters and the supernatural? Get ready to meet Annie Dreadful, the captivating new YA horror series that recently launched on YouTube.

Annie Dreadful

Annie Dreadful tells the story of Annie, an ordinary teenager whose world turns upside down when her brother is murdered by a horrifying monster. Thrust into the dark shadows of the supernatural, Annie discovers she has her own abilities and joins the dangerous quest to uncover who – or what – killed her brother.

Set in a small Midwestern town, each episode brings iconic urban legends and monsters to life – from vengeful ghosts to hook-handed killers and more. Annie must navigate disturbing secrets, piece together mystifying clues, and learn who she can trust on her gripping journey through the world of nightmares made real.

With strong elements of mystery, fantasy, and romance woven throughout, Annie Dreadful promises chills and suspense in equal measure. Horror fans will appreciate the series’ creepy atmosphere and stakes that are heightened by relatable characters and compelling storytelling.

The first episode “Origins” is available now on YouTube, introducing viewers to Annie’s ordinary life as it takes a terrifying turn. New episodes will premiere every Friday, so remember to subscribe to the channel to follow Annie as she descends deeper into darkness.

With plans for a multi-season story arc filled with creepy twists and turns, Annie Dreadful brings an intoxicating new voice to YA horror perfect for late-night bingeing. Meet the monsters that only come out at night – if you dare.

Annie Dreadful is written by Annie herself, co-produced by me (GS Wright).

Click here for the Trailer

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Mind of a Monster: Crafting Villains That Terrify

Horror villains like Pennywise and Hannibal Lecter live on in our nightmares. These antagonists stalk the pages, creeping into our imaginations with their sinister presence.

So how do you write a villain who haunts your readers? Developing an effective creep starts with psychology.

Get Inside Their Head

Give villains a distinct perspective shaped by their background. Maybe they have a warped moral code or sinister worldview. Their motivation should make sense, even if it’s deranged.

Layer in formative experiences like childhood trauma. Use flashbacks and reveal telling details slowly to add intrigue.

Make Them Unpredictable

Uncertainty builds suspense. Keep readers guessing about the villain’s next move through erratic behaviors and shifting motivations.

Balance glimpses of humanity with explosive outbursts. Is that a moment of kindness or the calm before another violent storm?

Choose an Archetype

Many horror villain archetypes exist to explore like torturers, vengeful spirits, and psychopaths. Put your unique spin on an established trope.

Monsters represent the physical manifestation of human fears. Demons and creepy children also strike a chord.

Create a Foil for the Hero

A strong protagonist needs a worthy opponent. Their clash should seem uncertain. Build tension between them. Save direct conflicts for key moments.

Over time, their relationship may shift from hatred to a disturbing bond. The line between hero and villain blurs.

Villains Don’t Think They’re Evil

Even scary antagonists have convictions that feel justified to them. Give them an internal logic, even if flawed. Explain the “why” behind their actions.

With a complex psyche and unstable nature, you can craft villains who feel like real people – albeit terrifying ones. Use these techniques to make your readers sleep with one eye open!

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The Secret to Writing Horror Scenes That Give Readers Chills

Any good horror story knows how to get under readers’ skin. And one of the most important elements for unsettling your audience is the setting.

The right atmosphere can ratchet up dread before anything frightening even happens. Familiar settings suddenly become sinister. Everyday objects cast shadows that put us on edge. The environment seems watchful and alive.

So how can you craft effective scene-setting that elicits delicious chills down your readers’ spines? Here are some key tips:

Choose Descriptive Words Carefully

Be selective with descriptive language. The words you choose set the mood. Consider: murky, bleak, oppressive, unnerving. Use concise but vivid details. Long paragraphs slow the pacing, so keep sentences short and punchy.

Tap Into All Five Senses

Describe what the protagonist sees, hears, smells, feels, and even tastes. Make settings tangible through sensory details. Maybe she hears a distant howl or sees a figure dart behind a tree. Engage readers’ imaginations.

Use Weather and Nature

Fog, thunderstorms, and moonlight are classic horror weather. Nature can enhance the creepy factor through twisted trees, dead leaves, and cawing crows. Beware of clichés though.

Establish an Unsettling Tone

Word choice directly impacts tone. Pick unsettling descriptors like sinister, lurking, haunted. Avoid adverbs like “spookily” which distance readers. Show, don’t tell.

Make the Ordinary Ominous

Horror often corrupts ordinary settings like schools, small towns, and suburbs. Allow familiarity to breed unease. An empty playground is scarier than a graveyard because it subverts expectations.

Vary the Pacing

Faster pacing evokes panic while a slower pace builds tension. Draw out small actions like your character walking down a dark hallway. But use sharp sentences to punctuate intensity.

Set the Scene from Page One

Immerse readers quickly. Stephen King’s The Shining opens with: “Jack Torrance thought: Officious little prick.” The tone and conflict are immediately clear.

With deliberate descriptions and smart pacing, you can craft effective settings to unsettle your readers. The environment should enhance, not distract. Use these tips to make your commonplace locations distinctly creepy.

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