top of page
Search
All Posts


Horror Subgenres: Finding the Right Lane for Your Story
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.
Renee
Sep 12, 20253 min read


Opening Horror: Hooking Readers in the First 5 Pages
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.
Renee
Sep 9, 20253 min read


How to Write Compelling Horror Villains
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.
Renee
Sep 5, 20253 min read


The Most Terrifying Characters in Modern Horror
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.
Renee
Sep 2, 20252 min read


Horror Dialogue That Doesn't Sound Cheesy
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.
Renee
Aug 29, 20253 min read


The Anatomy of a Scare: How to Write Moments That Stick
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.
Renee Miller
Aug 26, 20253 min read


How to Evaluate Script Platforms
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.
Renee Miller
Aug 22, 20253 min read


What Screenplay Competitions Are Actually Worth Entering and How to Tell the Career-Makers from the Money-Takers
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.
Renee Miller
Aug 19, 20255 min read


Writing Horror For a Budget
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.
Renee Miller
Aug 15, 20253 min read


Building Your Screenwriting Brand
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.
Renee
Aug 12, 20254 min read


10 Horror Scripts That Changed the Game
These 10 horror scripts didn’t just terrify—they transformed the genre. Study their structure, tone, and voice to sharpen your own writing.
Renee
Aug 8, 20252 min read


Overused Horror Tropes That Need a Break (and What to Write Instead)
Some horror tropes need a nap. Here are ten overused conventions to avoid and smarter, scarier ways to subvert them.
Renee
Aug 5, 20253 min read


Best Writing Books for Horror Writers
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.
Renee
Aug 1, 20253 min read


What Screenwriting Contest Readers Really Look For
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.
Renee
Jul 29, 20254 min read


Building a Horror Writing Routine: How to Summon the Muse (and Keep Her Screaming)
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.
Renee
Jul 25, 20253 min read


The Rise of Social Horror - When Real Life Becomes the Monster
Horror has always been political. But today, social horror is more urgent than ever. Here’s why—and how to write it well.
Renee
Jul 22, 20252 min read


Horror Screenwriting Contests Worth Submitting To
Looking to break into horror? These screenwriting contests can help you get repped, produced, or discovered. Here’s where to submit—and why.
Renee
Jul 18, 20252 min read


Finding the Right Producers for Your Horror Script
Your script needs a champion. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to find and approach the right producers for your horror screenplay using IMDbPro.
Renee
Jul 15, 20252 min read


Is Horror Getting Smarter or Just Scarier?
Are horror films getting smarter—or just scarier? In this post, I dig into the genre’s evolution and what that means for modern screenwriters.
Renee
Jul 11, 20252 min read


My Comfort Horror Rewatches (Yes, That's a Thing)
Who says comfort movies can’t be terrifying? Here are the horror films I rewatch when I need a dose of dread that somehow soothes—plus why they keep pulling me back.
Renee
Jul 8, 20253 min read
bottom of page