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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.

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.

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.

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.

Discover the major horror subgenres—slasher, supernatural, psychological, folk, cosmic, survival, body horror, and horror-comedy—and learn how to find the right lane for your story. Includes a free Subgenre Matchmaker Worksheet.

Hook readers in the first five pages of your horror script with atmosphere, pacing, and scares that land. Learn how to avoid common mistakes and download a free First Five Pages Evaluation Guide.

Learn how to write horror villains that go beyond surface scares. From motivations and mirrors to presence and theme, this guide shows you how to build terrifying, layered antagonists—plus a free Villain Development Worksheet.

From ghosts to sociopaths, these five horror characters have earned their place in the nightmare hall of fame. What makes them so terrifying might surprise you.

Horror dialogue often tips into cliché—but it doesn’t have to. Learn how to cut the cheese, use subtext, and ground your lines in authentic character voice. Includes a free Dialogue Polishing Checklist.

Learn the five types of horror scares—jump scares, dread, reveals, reversals, and lingering images—and how to write them so they stick. Includes a free Scare-Building Beat Sheet to plan your script’s scariest moments.

With Coverfly and The Script Lab closing after September, writers need to rethink where their scripts live online. Learn how to evaluate platforms like Script Revolution and make sure your work is visible, protected, and reaching the right people.

Not all screenplay competitions are created equal. Learn how to spot the ones that can actually advance your career, avoid the scams, and download a free contest tracker to stay organized.

Learn 10 writing strategies for keeping your horror script budget-friendly without losing its impact—plus a free downloadable worksheet to help you apply them.

Discover the most common branding mistakes screenwriters make and how to turn them into career strengths that make you stand out—plus practical tips to refine your voice and niche.

These 10 horror scripts didn’t just terrify—they transformed the genre. Study their structure, tone, and voice to sharpen your own writing.

Some horror tropes need a nap. Here are ten overused conventions to avoid and smarter, scarier ways to subvert them.

Looking to level up your horror writing? These seven books — from craft deep-dives to psychological tools — will sharpen your scares and deepen your storytelling.

Ever wonder what a screenwriting contest judge really looks for? As a reader for multiple competitions, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes criteria—and how to make your script stand out.

Tired of waiting for inspiration to strike? This post shows you how to build a reliable, blood-soaked writing routine tailored for horror screenwriters—complete with a downloadable ritual tracker.

Horror has always been political. But today, social horror is more urgent than ever. Here’s why—and how to write it well.