Consider the thoughts your character would go through when something horrible goes down.
You want what happens to be terrifying, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be horrible. What I mean by that is you can have a scene that’s scary, but in that scene, no one dies or gets hurt.
Give your readers a break from horror every now and then. This should go for every genre, and a great way to do it is by making sub-plots.
Make it realistic. Even if it’s about the zombie apocalypse, or something that can’t actually happen. The supernatural has it’s own set of rules, and you need to ensure that the story isn’t so far-fetched that it makes no sense.
Don’t add anything for shock value. Readers notice when you’re trying to be edgy.
Give your character something to lose. Gore and violence aren’t as terrifying to read as knowing your character can lose everything they love at any moment.
Get the reader invested in the character.
You want the reader to have questions, but don’t want them to be confused. So don’t reveal everything too soon, but don’t reveal too little. This will help add suspense
Learn how humans react in terrifying situations
Consider having your character think and act irrationally
And if you really wanna have fun, consider having your character slowly descend into madness
Hey fellow author, let’s sit down and have a chat, shall we? Great, help yourself to your beverage of choice and a snack, because we may be here a while. And since I’ve been known for being blunt, even brutally honest, it may make what I say go down a little easier.
There’s something all authors desperately and genuinely want: to be read. Right? I want my stories and words to be seen, and I can’t imagine any other author feeling differently. So, now that that’s established… here’s some painful truth. You’re sabotaging your own efforts.
Whoa… whoa… before you scroll on or message me to do something improbable to myself, hear me out…. okay? I’ve done some of these too.. and it’s an easy habit to break (or get into) and makes your readership REALLY boom.
The ask is overwhelming…but it also isn’t, haha! The thing is the answers can be long, they can be philosophical, they can fill books!! But, heh, they really don’t have to in my experience. I’ll break them down and show you what I mean:
How can I start writing fan fics?: You’re probably gonna hate the simplicity of this answer but…just start writing! Seriously, just start writing them. Even if the first dozen you hate and never post, you’re still writing fanfic! It’s the only way to start and the only way to get better.
How can I start getting ideas of what to write?: Another simpler than you’d think answer: You said you daydream “like way too much” (no such thing unless you’re causing yourself/others harm due to lack of focus lol) so that tells me you’re already getting ideas. Topics, imaginings, characters, etc…just start with those daydreams, my friend, Afraid you’ll forget them when the time comes to write? Jot them down in a notebook. And all those fanfics you’ve been reading? Use them as a jumping off point! Don’t copy them or take OCs (of course) but maybe you’d like to add more to an idea that a fic explored or have a new twist on some character or relationship mentioned. (Think “I don’t agree with this headcanon, I’ll a story with MY headcanon” or “oh wow, I didn’t think of that, I’ll write a whole piece to explore it!” and so on.) …And this works just as well with anything fandom you may have read/discussed/seen.
How do I start writing what I’ve envisioned in my head?: Again…just start writing, haha! Once the basics are down you can go back to add details to make the picture in your head clearer on the page. Then edit. Edit. Edit. Clear out what stops making sense, add more of what’ll help clarify that picture in your head. …If you can, find a Beta – aka editor – to help in the beginning and always, always, read aloud yourself before posting (if you decide to post).
…If you’re already getting compliments on non-fiction then you know how to write. The only difference with fiction is, well, it’s made up. So just start finding inspiration everywhere/anywhere you can – daydreams, music, film, TV, other writings (fanfic or otherwise), even nonfiction things! – write down your ideas, and then start playing. In the end, to get really good at anything, it’s a matter of practice so…
Write, play, challenge yourself, and don’t ever give up!!
((Hope this helps you, Anon, and anyone else out there who may be curious!!))
Create a mess 