Horror Writing Workshop – Books, Film & TV Storytelling

Learn the skills of writing horror stories for books, movies and television with our writing short courses online and in Sydney !

Learn the skills of writing horror stories for books, movies and television with our writing short courses online and in Sydney! Discover amazing insights and methods for writing horror stories and scripts for film, books and TV. Write compelling scary stories and scripts that break new ground in this well-known and popular genre. Work with your own characters and scenarios to create captivating tales of terror. See how to apply horror character archetypes in your own way. The course also covers techniques for writing the supernatural genre.

Horror writing is more than jump scares and shock value, it is about atmosphere, psychology, and the careful manipulation of reader and audience expectations. In this course, you will explore how fear operates on an emotional and intellectual level, and how writers use language, pacing, and structure to provoke unease and suspense. You will learn how to craft tension slowly, escalate stakes effectively, and decide when to reveal information and when to withhold it for maximum impact.

Through guided exercises and examples, you will examine how different horror subgenres function, including psychological horror, supernatural horror, body horror, and suspense-driven thrillers. You will analyse what makes iconic horror stories memorable and how contemporary writers are redefining the genre for modern audiences. The course encourages experimentation, allowing you to test ideas, push boundaries, and refine your personal writing style in a supportive learning environment.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this How to write horror Course, you should be able to: 

• Gain practical, easy-to-use techniques used for writing Horror.
• Apply principles of suspense, tension, fear and surprise.
• Learn to apply tricks of the writing trade to build fresh and original horror stories based  upon proven methods.

Course content

What will be covered in this How to write horror Course?

• Every class features reading script excerpts, videos, lectures and workshopping.
• Writing movies, books and TV demand different techniques.
• The course will cover imperatives of each.

Intended audience

Who is this How to write horror Course for?

How to write horror Course is for creative writers, authors and screenwriters
For ages 18+ 

Course Materials

The course presents simple and practical handbooks developed by Tim Ferguson to help guide your horror-writing processes.

Course venue

Online via Zoom.