Learn how to write horror stories at a workshop this weekend

Think horror and Edgar Allan Poe, Dean Koontz and Stephen King are possibly the first authors to come to mind. This week, if you want to follow in the footsteps of these legendary horror writers, sign up for The Horror Writing Workshop by Half Baked Beans.

The session will be conducted by Mumbai-based author Neil D'Silva. "For me, the genre is self taught. I've grown up reading authors like Poe and King and have learned my craft from them," says the author of four books including the horror thriller Maya's New Husband.

Neil D'Silva

D'Silva will begin with a session on Understanding Horror and Its Main Elements, in which he will explore the various sub genres of horror - paranormal, gore, zombie, supernatural, psychological, among others. The next module will look at writing an effective horror story. This includes building the plot, creating an outline, dialogues, maintaining suspense and building a good structure - he will give a basic structure for a novel as well as for a short story. "There are various elements to writing a good horror story. I write visually, so tend to bring in sights, sounds and touch to the story to move the plot along," he adds.

The workshop will end with an interactive horror-writing session. "I will give the class a prompt and set up a scene and they will have to take it forward. These will then be discussed while others can share their inputs," he adds. Although open to all, D'Silva adds that prior experience with writing will be useful.