Writing Spooky! Creative Writing Class for Horror/Dark Fantasy
Do you like to be scared? Do you love all things haunted and spooky? This class is for those who have a taste for the macabre and the unusual!
Mark Tyson B.A., M.A.
Average rating:
4.8
Number of reviews:(462)
Star Educator
What's included
8 live meetings
7 hrs 20 mins in-class hoursProjects
2-4 hours per week. As a writing course, we will be working on 1 or more works of horror or spooky fiction for the duration of the class. Learners will work on at least one long piece of writing (novel, novella) or one or more short stories.Grading
a letter grade can be assessed upon request. Feedback on writing will be given throughout the course.Class Experience
US Grade 7 - 10
Each one hour class will contain a lesson followed by a learner open forum. Learners will be expected to have completed two to three pages of writing per week (by the meeting time of each consecutive class) Week 1:Writing assignment- Where to begin? Idea finding and Brainstorming (setting) Week 2: Lesson: Sentence Structure and Word Choice. Week 3 :Lesson: Suspense and Plot Building (conflict, what makes the story scary? Don't let your audience off the hook!) Week 4 :Lesson: Learn how to grab your reader's attention and keep them engaged. (chapter length 1) Week 5: Lesson: Subplots and Side Stories. (chapter length 2, character development, backstories) Week 6: Lesson: The middle and the ending - Learn how to drive your story and characters to a satisfying ending that won't feel abrupt or leave your audience hanging. (especially not literally hanging muhahaha!) Week 7: Lesson: Dialog. Week 8: Lesson: Where to go from here? Putting your work in the correct horror genre (vampire, zombie, ghost etc,) how to consider publishing (traditional publishing vs. self publishing)
Learning Goals
Students will learn about the writing process from drafting the work, revising and editing it, to proofreading and publishing/turning it in. This is a creative writing class so learners are expected to write each week of the course.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Writing assignment- Where to begin? Idea finding and Brainstorming (setting)
Week 1:Writing assignment- Where to begin? Idea finding and Brainstorming (setting) 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Sentence Structure and Word Choice
Week 2: Lesson: Sentence Structure and Word Choice. 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Suspense and Plot Building (conflict, what makes the story scary? Don't let your audience off the hook!)
Week 3 :Lesson: Suspense and Plot Building (conflict, what makes the story scary? Don't let your audience off the hook!) 55 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Learn how to grab your reader's attention and keep them engaged. (chapter length 1)
Week 4 :Lesson: Learn how to grab your reader's attention and keep them engaged. (chapter length 1) 55 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Mostly rated G. I like things to stay school appropriate at all times. However, scary is scary and those who are easily unsettled by ghosts, ghouls, and things that go bump in the night obviously may have issues. Things one might see in slasher films will not be included. This is a ghost and goblins sort of class.
Supply List
Materials used will be provided.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined August, 2017
4.8
462reviews
Star Educator
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in English from National University
Bachelor's Degree in English from New York Institute of Technology
Under the pen name of Cleave Bourbon, I have completed and published 6 fantasy novels and I have three more in development (I usually have at least three writing projects going at all times.) I have been teaching English in both public school (English 1-4) and online for over 15 years. I have also earned a B.A in English and Culture and a M.A. in English and Literature. Reviews
Live Group Course
$99
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
55 min
Completed by 52 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-17
2-6 learners per class
