Writing in the Dark is the compilation of Tim Waggoner’s experience writing horror and other genre fiction, and it reads like it comes from someone who’s been through it all, and is now itching to help you find helpful avenues and avoid common traps. We begin with a look at Tim’s experiences with horror in his early life, how his writing journey began, and why he’s the guy to lay all this information at your feet. We also lead with a justification of horror writing, and genre fiction in general. Why they matter and are, in fact, a lot more important than most people give them credit for.

Once we’ve established what’s on the table, we dive in headfirst. Chapters are divided into meal size pieces lasting anywhere from four to ten pages on average, focused on topics such as horror subgenres, where to come up with ideas and what to do with them, writing a hero’s journey, how to use fear, immersing yourself in the character, among many others. I highlighted a few chapters that stuck out to me, but there are twenty in all, not counting the introduction and appendices. I read through, and took time to digest, one a day, and would certainly recommend this version of the experience.

Each chapter consists of an essay-like portion, but then moves to examples, usually from Tim’s own writing that showcase how to put the ideas into action, as well as some pitfalls to potentially avoid. Sometimes the most daunting thing about writing advice is finding a way to take a good idea and apply it to your own craft. Waggoner includes exercises at the conclusion to each chapter, handing writers a way to practice the skill in a way that applies to what they’re attempting to achieve. Readers might also enjoy the mini interviews from a great variety of known voices in the horror community addressing what makes a good horror story and advice they would give beginning writers. No matter how experienced you are in the horror community, there will be some names you know here.

Writing in the Dark caters to writers of all experience levels, so when I tell you this is an indispensable addition to books on the craft, know that comes from a fledgling writer. Keeping an eye on the variety of advice offered within, I can see places where Tim put in things that might be useful to a seasoned writer looking to shake things up or break down a barrier, but my experience is that this toolbox is a must-have for newer writers.

One of the most useful things I found, so useful in fact that I’m devoting a whole paragraph to it, is the first appendix - entitled Autopsy. Here, Waggoner takes a story written toward the beginning of his career and performs, well, an autopsy. You can read the story in full, and then hear Tim’s ideas on how different concepts from the book you just read apply or could have been applied. The introspective look at an author finding a clear way to showcase the things they’ve learned through writing is absolutely invaluable.

Writing in the Dark is a book that I will return to time and time again, with highlighter and pencil in hand. Tim approaches it from the perspective of someone who has written a lot and taught a variety of students, very conscious of what works and what doesn’t in both arenas. Condensing it all into 230 pages couldn’t have been easy, but someone looking to write horror couldn’t ask for a better place to begin.

I received a copy from the publisher for review consideration.