time waggoner can you add deacon,engineer,trilobite,black goo and android david to the alien:prototype

This was great and well explained! Thank you!

Great advice--thanks, Tim!

Great advice Tim. I wondered how important genre is for getting an agent? Also how important is it to have your work checked by an editor?

This is cool, will pick this one up too

You don't mention how to write characters. you just say don't write cardboard cut outs. You let the audience know their weaknesses and secrets, which are the reasons for their present goal. That is how you write characters.

Thank you for making this video! My first book Autumncrow was definitely more cozy horror, at least that’s how many of my readers describe it. I like all kinds of horror (most horror is cozy to me), but I love atmosphere more than anything so I tend to gravitate toward cozy horror more. I just wish more horror fans would understand what it means, so this video will be very helpful, I think.

Thanks for sharing, Tim!

Cool video, thank you for sharing your technics

Another interesting video, thanks Tim

Oooh, I loved the reading sounds totally wicked. Thank you 😊

LORD OF THE FEAST Twenty years ago, the Shardlow family attempted to create their own dark god - and they failed. Now they’re ready to try again . . . “Lord of the Feast is an entertaining mix of bloody horror and honest emotion and a welcome return to the surreal, gruesome horror hijinks that Waggoner’s longtime fans know and love.” - Considering Stories “Lord of the Feast is sure to take the reader down a dark rabbit hole into a twisted wonderland filled with characters from the darkest of nightmares and fans of dark fiction are sure to love it.” Flame Tree Press Paperback and eBook: www.flametreepublishing.com/lord-of-the-feast-isbn-9781787586369.html Amazon Paperback: www.amazon.com/Lord-Feast-Tim-Waggoner/dp/1787586367/ref=sr_1_1?crid=SKJPJ80J420A&keywords=tim+waggoner&qid=1687610372&s=books&sprefix=tim+waggoner%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1 Kindle: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBQMLJ61/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1CTQL9GWTR1DG&keywords=tim+waggoner&qid=1689191524&s=books&sprefix=tim+waggoner%2Cstripbooks%2C151&sr=1-2 Barnes & Noble Paperback: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lord-of-the-feast-tim-waggoner/1143636012?ean=9781787586369 Barnes & Noble eBook: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lord-of-the-feast-tim-waggoner/1143636012?ean=9781787586376 Publication Date: April 16, 2024

You have a terrible microphone please consider getting a new one.

Thank you, Tim! I always look forward to your newsletters and videos. There's always something valuable. I'm going to try that process today.

Thanks Tim! I hadnt even considered the emotional core! Ill have to try that, ive just been too planted in a confusion base! Ill switch it up!

Awesome, thank you for sharing your process!

LORD OF THE FEAST Twenty years ago, the Shardlow family attempted to create their own dark god - and they failed. Now they’re ready to try again . . . “Lord of the Feast is an entertaining mix of bloody horror and honest emotion and a welcome return to the surreal, gruesome horror hijinks that Waggoner’s longtime fans know and love.” - Considering Stories “Lord of the Feast is sure to take the reader down a dark rabbit hole into a twisted wonderland filled with characters from the darkest of nightmares and fans of dark fiction are sure to love it.” Flame Tree Press Paperback and eBook: www.flametreepublishing.com/lord-of-the-feast-isbn-9781787586369.html Amazon Paperback: www.amazon.com/Lord-Feast-Tim-Waggoner/dp/1787586367/ref=sr_1_1?crid=SKJPJ80J420A&keywords=tim+waggoner&qid=1687610372&s=books&sprefix=tim+waggoner%2Cstripbooks%2C139&sr=1-1 Kindle: www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBQMLJ61/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1CTQL9GWTR1DG&keywords=tim+waggoner&qid=1689191524&s=books&sprefix=tim+waggoner%2Cstripbooks%2C151&sr=1-2 Barnes & Noble Paperback: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lord-of-the-feast-tim-waggoner/1143636012?ean=9781787586369 Barnes & Noble eBook: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lord-of-the-feast-tim-waggoner/1143636012?ean=9781787586376 Publication Date: April 16, 2024

Great, focused words! I like the powerpoint with the description. Thanks!

🤤 P r o m o S M

Great video. The story examples were very helpful to me.

I found this helpful, especially the idea to write a single paragraph many different ways, then combine them.

This was useful and enjoyable - Thanks Tim. I try to keep one type of sensory detail for each viewpoint character - one notices sights, the other sounds, a third smells...

Very useful, thanks Tim 😊

My current read is The Atrocity Engine. I bought it in hardback and the Writing in the Dark in hardback in large part from how much I’m loving the details of your worldbuilding as well as the sensory bits such as how the Corrupted food tastes putrid then addictive. You have a strong mastery over gradual weaving of these tastes or sights, such as the dumpster monster and how I can still picture the cardboard face ripping open so it can scream. Awesome work!

Great video, Tim. This is something I'm constantly working on, especially when it comes to engaging the senses. Just a couple of notes: 1. Audio seemed to go from soft to loud and back again a couple times. 2. In future videos, maybe include photos with the slideshow so that we're not just staring at text. Makes the video more engaging. Maybe also intersplice the slideshow with video of you recording this, because people tend to like it when KZbinrs do that.

Tim Waggoner’s Writing in the Dark The Devil is in the Details Using Effective Details in Your Horror Fiction Why Use Specific Details in Horror? All fiction depends on specific detail to pull readers into a story and help them believe in it for the time they’re reading. Horror Fiction is no exception. In fact, details are especially important in Horror. Details create atmosphere. Details create suspense. Details help readers care about what happens to your characters, and this raises the stakes in a story. Details make readers feel like they’re living the story instead of merely reading it. Specific Details in Action NOT VIVID: There was a monster outside the front door. A man opened the door and the monster ate him. VIVID: Bob had his hand on the knob, was just about to turn it, open the door, and walk outside to check the mail, when he felt the metal vibrate beneath his flesh. Not much, just a little. But it made him think that someone on the other side had put their hand on the outside knob, making it jiggle the tiniest bit. And was the metal starting to feel colder, as if a silent arctic wind caressed the knob outside? It was a ridiculous thought, but he removed his hand from the knob all the same and, without realizing it, took two steps backward. Advice for Using Specific Details in Horror Fiction Fiction should be involving. You need to help readers believe in your story. Sensory detail. Five senses. Ranged senses vs. proximal senses. Identification with specific viewpoint character. Character’s internal world. Thoughts, feelings, physical reactions, memory connections. Advice Continued Psychological comparisons: similes and metaphors. Purposeful, natural-seeming dialogue that advances the story. Exposition kept to a minimum and “snuck in” in bits and pieces. Each sentence advances the story a little bit further. Anchor points: using different kinds of details - a sense, a thought, a bit of dialogue - help anchor the scene in reality for the reader. Advice Continued Fiction should be immersive. Use point of view to create an immersive effect. Stay in the moment. Ask yourself, “What would this character be paying attention to in his or her environment at this particular moment?” And “What would this character be thinking or feeling at this particular moment?” Exercise Try the Shuffle Technique Write several versions of the same scene, concentrating on different types of detail each time. One version using only simple, straightforward narrative. One version using only sight, one using only hearing, one using only smell, one using only taste, one using only touch. One version using only the character’s emotions. One version using only the character’s thoughts. When finished, combined all eight versions into one, shuffling them like playing cards. Check Out My Books on Writing! Writing in the Dark www.amazon.com/Writing-Dark-Tim-Waggoner/dp/1947879197/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1708283343&sr=8-1 Writing in the Dark: The Workbook www.amazon.com/Writing-Dark-Workbook-Tim-Waggoner/dp/1947879464/ref=pd_bxgy_img_d_sccl_1/133-6423107-7084420?pd_rd_w=wwDvv&content-id=amzn1.sym.615d9037-0d71-4715-8421-5695fbf26656&pf_rd_p=615d9037-0d71-4715-8421-5695fbf26656&pf_rd_r=VBDNH1EY9324VX14HJF2&pd_rd_wg=aHpoL&pd_rd_r=87b1d2f4-12b7-4023-a5c8-9917edecaf12&pd_rd_i=1947879464&psc=1 Let Me Tell You a Story www.amazon.com/Let-Tell-Story-Writing-Dark/dp/1947879642/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1708283422&sr=1-1 Just Add Writer (forthcoming) Forthcoming Horror/Dark Fantasy Novels The Atrocity Engine (first in a series!) www.amazon.com/Atrocity-Engine-Tim-Waggoner/dp/1949890899/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1708283474&sr=1-1 Lord of the Feast www.amazon.com/Lord-Feast-Tim-Waggoner/dp/1787586367/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1708283517&sr=1-1 Both will be out in April 2024

This is so valuable...Thank you Tim

Hey Tim, Really enjoying reading Writing in the Dark, gave me the confidence to apply for the HWA and I’m learning a lot from the chapters and exercises. Just finished the chapter on the Poor Bastard’s Descent into Hell. Very eye-opening and left me wanting more! Have you ever considered doing a craft book focused entirely on the hero’s journey as it relates to horror fiction?

Here are the 6 points on writing horror discussed by Tim Wagner: 1. Develop Complex Characters: Create well-rounded characters that readers can sympathize with or understand on some level. Even minor characters should have depth and a moment in the spotlight before their fate takes a dark turn. 2. Write from the Character's Perspective: When describing extreme horror scenes, focus on the character's internal experiences, emotions, and reactions. It's essential to convey what the character is going through rather than just providing graphic details. 3. Less is More: Avoid overloading your narrative with excessive gore and violence. Instead, use restraint and let readers' imaginations fill in the gruesome details. Sometimes, what's left unsaid can be more terrifying. 4. Make Gore Serve the Story: The purpose of gore in horror should be to enhance the narrative and character development. It should contribute to the story's themes and character arcs rather than being gratuitous. 5. Consider Real Effects: Research how people physically, mentally, and emotionally react to violence and injuries. Realistic portrayals can add depth and authenticity to your horror scenes. 6. Write Responsibly: Avoid glorifying violence, and be mindful of the impact your writing can have on readers. Use extreme content to tell a compelling story rather than sensationalizing it for shock value. These tips provide valuable insights for writers looking to create effective and impactful horror stories.

Wait a minute?

Who the hell would call you an idiot, Tim?

Thanks for the advice, Tim! ✍️

His writing books are excellent! Can't wait.

Hi Tim! My book doesn’t have an element of hidden suspenseful moments. It nearly starts with the malevolence from the beginning, and continues throughout. I’ve heard the term “Show, don’t tell,” In order to keep your audience/reader in suspense. But without telling readers about her abusive mother, and the dark entities she deals with on nearly a daily occurrence, it’s somewhat boring. What’s your suggestion? I follow you on Twitter-X, and just purchased your workbook. So I’m excited to learn from your experience. Also, I have so many unique and diverse entities haunting my protagonist. One is more powerful than the others, and it’s a battle between the lesser. I don’t know if I’m introducing this scenario to early in my writing. Any suggestions?

Thanks for the tips Tim!

Thanks for sharing, Tim!

Great explanation. And I love that all horror is good lol

For me, cozy horror also allows you to care for the monster/other. Frankenstein. Coraline.

cool just stumbled upon this when looking for reviews of some thrillers. I'm a wimp when it comes to horror, but cozy horror sounds enjoyable for the ambiance.

Thanks for sharing, Tim! I want to check out your new book. See you in San Diego next year for Stoker Con if you're there again.

I think it means you're related to the monster who tries to kill you. [not sarcasm] I can't write horror because I feel like I'm writing nonfiction. Anyone who calls horror "cozy" has never experienced the monsters firsthand, the ones Stephen King once called "the 'real' monsters in this world." Believe it or not I write nonfictional, books of hope about how animals (cute furry critters) make me feel renewed faith for the human race at a time when there are few good feelings left. There's something cozy about kittens & newborn chicks, but 'to feel cozy' is not even on the top 20 list of reasons I read or listen to horror books.

I recently read my first Darcy Coates novel and literally thought to myself, "That read like a cozy, but with horror tropes." Then I wondered if there was such a thing as "cozy horror." A few days later and you conveniently answered that for me! Good timing. (And I would definitely recommend Coates's The Carrow Haunt.)

Looks totally wicked, I haven't read any of your books before. What would be a good book of yours to start with, I love horror books 😊

Tim, thanks for the cozy video! :D Seriously, this was so helpful and validating. Labeling a genre can be so tough, especially when it comes to thinking about marketing. I'm on the fourth draft of my novel, and this has definitely been on my mind. It's a weird horror adventure, but there are lots of "cozy" elements to it, despite it meandering into splatterpunk territory at times. I still have lots of time to think about this, but it's entirely possible the task will drive me into a deep well of madness before it is complete... But no worries! That's my typical mental state anyway! *happy whistling* Thanks again, Tim. I really appreciate you and your channel. Take care. ✌

Excellent! Thanks for sharing.

Lol are you knight? This is fantastic . Great great suck you in start to a book.

Lovely video, thank you so much.

Thank you so much for this great guidance. Not only applicable to horror creations but other forms of fiction. Best KZbin I've viewed in quite some time. I have all of your books on writing horror. Although oriented toward specifics in horror writing, I adore them for their techniques, etc. for writing in other genres as well.

With that summary, it certainly does sound like an anime.

Order Links for A HUNTER CALLED NIGHT Flame Tree: www.flametreepublishing.com/a-hunter-called-night-isbn-9781787586345.html Amazon Paperback: www.amazon.com/Hunter-Called-Night-Tim-Waggoner/dp/1787586316/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1668832377&sr=1-1 Kindle: www.amazon.com/Hunter-Called-Night-Tim-Waggoner-ebook/dp/B0BN6T1GTN/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1670004562&sr=1-3 Barnes and Noble Paperback: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-hunter-called-night-tim-waggoner/1142487192?ean=9781787586314 NOOK: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-hunter-called-night-tim-waggoner/1142487192?ean=9781787586352