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The Anatomy of a Jump Scare (and How to Write One)
A great jump scare is about control, not chaos. Learn how to write horror scenes that shock, linger, and make your readers feel the tension between every heartbeat.
Renee
Nov 21, 20253 min read


Pitching Horror: How to Sell a Scary Story Without Spoiling the Scare
Learn how to pitch your horror story without spoiling the scares. From concept to tone, here’s how to make your script unforgettable — and impossible to ignore.
Renee
Nov 18, 20252 min read


Why Horror Endures: Lessons for Screenwriters
From gothic ghosts to elevated horror, the genre never dies — it evolves. Here’s why horror endures through every generation, and what screenwriters can learn from its survival.
Renee
Nov 14, 20253 min read


Lights, Shadows, Terror: Visual Storytelling in Horror Screenwriting
Horror is a visual language of light, shadow, and suggestion. Learn how to write scenes that make readers see — and feel — the fear long before the monster appears.
Renee
Nov 11, 20252 min read


The Rule of Fear: Building Suspense Before the Monster Arrives
The scariest part of any horror story isn’t the monster — it’s the waiting. Learn how to build unbearable tension and master the rule of fear before your creature even arrives.
Renee
Nov 7, 20252 min read


Final Moments: How to End Your Horror Script with Impact
From shocking twists to haunting fades, the ending defines every horror story. Here’s how to craft a finale that sticks with your audience long after “FADE OUT.”
Renee
Nov 4, 20252 min read


Sound is Half the Scare: Using Audio to Build Horror On and Off the Page
Silence, whispers, and sudden screams; sound is the heartbeat of horror. Learn how filmmakers and screenwriters use audio to build fear, tension, and unforgettable scares.
Renee
Oct 31, 20252 min read


Monsters with Meaning: The Symbolism Behind Modern Horror Creatures
The scariest monsters aren’t just creatures — they’re metaphors. From The Babadook to Smile, discover how modern horror uses symbolism to turn fear into meaning.
Renee
Oct 28, 20252 min read


Retro Nightmares: Why 80s Horror Still Reigns Supreme
Synths, slashers, and practical gore — discover why 1980s horror still defines the genre. From Freddy to The Thing, here’s why the decade of nightmares refuses to die.
Renee
Oct 24, 20253 min read


When the Lights Go Out: The Art of the Single-Location Horror Film
From The Thing to 10 Cloverfield Lane, single-location horror proves that the scariest stories don’t need sprawling sets — just tension, character, and four claustrophobic walls.
Renee
Oct 21, 20252 min read


10 Underrated Horror Films to Watch This Spooky Season
This Halloween, skip the usual horror classics and dive into something more unexpected. Here are ten underrated horror films that deliver chills, shocks, and unforgettable finales you won’t see coming.
Renee
Oct 17, 20254 min read


The Villians Who Had a Point (Kinda)
What makes a horror villain unforgettable? A hint of truth. Here are 5 terrifying antagonists who had a point—and how to write your own.
Renee
Oct 14, 20253 min read


The Evolution of the Final Girl - From Screams to Scars
The Final Girl has changed—and so has the genre around her. Here’s how horror’s most iconic survivor evolved from scream queen to avenging force.
Renee
Oct 10, 20253 min read


The Most Effective First 10 Pages in Horror (and Why They Work)
The first ten pages can make or break your horror script. These iconic openings show how to build terror fast—and what to steal (creatively) for your own work.
Renee
Oct 7, 20253 min read


Can Horror be Cozy? A Defense of Horror for the Tender-Hearted
Horror isn't always brutal—it can be warm, weirdly reassuring, and even cozy. Here’s why horror works for the soft-hearted, too.
Renee
Oct 3, 20253 min read


10 Horror Movies That Nailed Their Endings
These 10 horror films didn’t just scare us—they stuck the landing. Let’s break down what makes a horror ending truly unforgettable.
Renee
Sep 30, 20254 min read


Common Pitfalls That Make Horror Fall Flat - And How to Fix Them
Many horror stories fail not because of low budgets or lack of monsters — but because they overlook the fundamentals of fear. Learn the five biggest pitfalls that make horror scripts fall flat, and how to avoid them.
Renee
Sep 26, 20253 min read


How to Write a Query Letter That Actually Gets Read
Query letters are your first impression—and most are ignored. In this post, I break down how to write one that actually gets your script read.
Renee Miller
Sep 23, 20253 min read


From Trauma to Terror - How Streaming Changed Horror
From grief to global scares, streaming platforms reshaped horror into something more intimate, emotional, and terrifying. Here’s how to write for this new era.
Renee
Sep 19, 20252 min read


Breaking In Without Burning Out
Want to break into screenwriting without breaking down? Learn how to pace your hustle, protect your creativity, and write sustainably with these five practical tools.
Renee
Sep 16, 20252 min read
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