What you'll learn
Learn the skills of writing horror stories for books, movies and television with our writing short courses online and in Sydney !
Learn the skills of writing horror stories for books, movies and television with our writing short courses online and in Sydney! Discover amazing insights and methods for writing horror stories and scripts for film, books and TV. Write compelling scary stories and scripts that break new ground in this well-known and popular genre. Work with your own characters and scenarios to create captivating tales of terror. See how to apply horror character archetypes in your own way. The course also covers techniques for writing the supernatural genre.
Horror writing is more than jump scares and shock value, it is about atmosphere, psychology, and the careful manipulation of reader and audience expectations. In this course, you will explore how fear operates on an emotional and intellectual level, and how writers use language, pacing, and structure to provoke unease and suspense. You will learn how to craft tension slowly, escalate stakes effectively, and decide when to reveal information and when to withhold it for maximum impact.
Through guided exercises and examples, you will examine how different horror subgenres function, including psychological horror, supernatural horror, body horror, and suspense-driven thrillers. You will analyse what makes iconic horror stories memorable and how contemporary writers are redefining the genre for modern audiences. The course encourages experimentation, allowing you to test ideas, push boundaries, and refine your personal writing style in a supportive learning environment.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this How to write horror Course, you should be able to:
- Gain practical, easy-to-use techniques used for writing Horror.
- Apply principles of suspense, tension, fear and surprise.
- Learn to apply tricks of the writing trade to build fresh and original horror stories based upon proven methods.
Course content
What will be covered in this How to write horror Course?
- Every class features reading script excerpts, videos, lectures and workshopping.
- Writing movies, books and TV demand different techniques.
- The course will cover imperatives of each.
Intended audience
Who is this How to write horror Course for?
How to write horror Course is for creative writers, authors and screenwriters
For ages 18+
Course Materials
The course presents simple and practical handbooks developed by Tim Ferguson to help guide your horror-writing processes.
Course venue
Online via Zoom.
Course tutors
Tim Ferguson
Great reasons to enrol in a short course with us
Small classes
A personal approach means quality learning, so you can enjoy plenty of interaction with your instructor and the chance to ask questions.
Short & sweet
Our short courses & workshops get straight to the point, providing the skills you need with minimal commitment of your precious time.
Facilities & equipment
Our range of venues suit every type of course, are easy to get to, and have the equipment and tech needed to support your learning.
Easy, secure enrolment
Enrol online 24/7 with a safe, convenient 3-step process, and you can change your mind up to 7 days before class starts.
Quality instructors
Our educators bring first-hand experience and knowledge, with up-to-the-minute practices from diverse industries.
Business or pleasure
Our courses help you rapidly increase your skills and knowledge, for professional development or personal interest.
4.7 starsaverage rating on Google
1,400+courses to choose from
99%customer support rating
Classes Online Courses
<p>Learn the skills of writing horror stories for books, movies and television with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/writing-performance/writing">writing short courses</a
...<p>Learn the skills of writing horror stories for books, movies and television with our <a href="https://www.sydneycommunitycollege.edu.au/courses/writing-performance/writing">writing short courses</a
...If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Writing: How to write Horror Course
If there isn't a class to suit you, please join our waitlist and we will notify you when we have places available. Join waitlist for Writing: How to write Horror Course
Related courses
-
Creative Writing Course for Beginners
Learning the art of creative writing through our writing short courses in Sydney! Do you want to try creative writing but you aren't sure where to start? You can learn the fundamentals of creative writing in this practical course for beginners. With this creative writing course, you will develop an understanding of plot, structure, and character, familiarising yourself with different styles of creative writing while learning to create your own. Designed to instruct, support, and...
Learn more about Creative Writing Course for Beginners -
Creative Writing Course: Fairy Tales & Lore
Learn the art of creative writing with our writing short courses online, and in Sydney! A fairy tale is a type of short story that typically features fantasy or magical elements, such as talking animals, enchanted objects, and supernatural beings. Fairy tales often have a moral or lesson and are passed down through oral tradition. They can be set in the real world or in a fantasy world, and they often involve a quest or journey. This workshop is designed to teach participants about...
Learn more about Creative Writing Course: Fairy Tales & Lore -
Creative Writing Course: Novel Planning
Improve your work skills by learning the techniques of writing a novel with our comprehensive writing short courses online and in Sydney! There are many different approaches to plotting a novel, some writers find success by broad stroke planning with flexibility and revisions and others benefit from intricate planning before a word is written. Regardless of your chosen strategy, the end goal is always the same: to produce an organized manuscript with a logical beginning, middle,...
Learn more about Creative Writing Course: Novel Planning -
Creative Writing Course: Novel Writing
Improve your work skills by learning the techniques of writing a novel through our comprehensive writing short courses online and in Sydney! The interactive live online novel writing course will be delivered via Zoom with a small class group. Writing a novel may seem like a tremendous task to undertake, but this practical novel writing course will give you a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of fiction novel writing, along with a writer's toolkit full of techniques...
Learn more about Creative Writing Course: Novel Writing -
Creative Writing Course: Screenwriting
Improve your work skills by learning the skills of screenwriting and movie script writing with our writing short courses online and in Sydney! This online writing course will be delivered via Zoom with a small class group. Screenwriting is a discipline that requires creativity and imagination - if you can imagine a scene, you can write it. In this scriptwriting course, you will learn techniques for creating memorable scenes, developing character-based and plot-based stories,...
Learn more about Creative Writing Course: Screenwriting -
Writing: Comedy Screenwriting Course
Learn the skills of screenwriting and movie script writing with our writing short courses online and in Sydney! Learn the techniques and tricks to bring your humour to life with this Comedy Screenwriting Course! Whether you're an aspiring screenwriter or a seasoned storyteller looking to add humor to your work, this course offers the perfect environment to hone your skills and develop your unique comedic voice. Learning outcomes By the end of this Comedy Screenwriting Course, you...
Learn more about Writing: Comedy Screenwriting Course -
Writing: Stories Short & True Writing Workshop
Improve your work skills by learning how to write a short story through our writing short courses online and in Sydney. What do Helen Garner, Tim Winton, and David Sedaris have in common? They have all written about small snippets from their life and turned their everyday stories into art. Join us for a one day workshop to learn how to embrace moments from life and spin them into a short story. You’ll consider themes such as your family, your most surprising day, your greatest life...
Learn more about Writing: Stories Short & True Writing Workshop
