The Scary Reviews

Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review

Where Nightmares come from breaks down the how-to components of writing and what it takes to write a terrific book. From Joe Lansdale’s perspective it’s not just the plot but the storytelling. This is so important, and I find it’s often missed. There are discussions on what qualifies as horror and I enjoyed the explanations of what, why and the where’s of what is considered horror in any given era.

Where Nightmares Come From answers one of the many questions about horror. What is it that makes a horror story and why? The answer, horror is a mirror of our own worst moments. Horror is about the harsh world that is cruel and full of pain and ultimately death. On a personal level, I’ve always been drawn to the horror genre. It makes me forget my own horrors, even if it’s only for a little while. This, for me, is the best part of horror, plus the possibility the protagonist lives. There are so many components that contribute to horror and these are only a few. Add to the list urban legends, internet rumors, and the obsession with everything dark, including videos and video games. Everywhere we turn there is an unending source of horror to fuel our nightmares.

Another topic I found interesting where ideas and inspiration come from. The answer is the same, everywhere, plain and simple. There is no store to go and pick out an idea. It’s so important that a horror story has rules, and they are followed or you’ll lose the reader’s interest. Also give me a character I give a damn about, keep the story creative and for the love of horror, leave some of it to my imagination. Sometimes telling me just enough for me to envision the ‘monster’ is better than describing every detail. A great example was when I read Savages by Greg Gifune. If you haven’t read it, you should.

Writing is a constant battle between overly descriptive dialogue and descriptions, or as I call it flowery language, and keeping it simple. Where Nightmares Come From is a great read. As a reader who loves knowing what happens behind the curtain this book filled that need. If you love reading the horror genre as much as I do then you will love this book. When asked to review Where Nightmares Come From I wasn’t sure what I would find. What I found were some great perspectives from some authors I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Also great insights from others making me wonder why I haven’t read their work. But there is only so much time and always too many books!

Book Info

Length: 256 Pages

Publisher: Crystal Lake Publishing

Release date: November 17, 2017

To Purchase Where Nightmares Come From Click Here

WHERE NIGHTMARES COME FROM

THE ART OF STORYTELLING IN THE HORROR GENRE

Book one in Crystal Lake Publishing’s The Dream Weaver series, Where Nightmares Come Fromfocuses on the art of storytelling in the Horror genre, taking an idea from conception to reality—whether you prefer short stories, novels, films, or comics.

Featuring in-depth articles and interviews by Joe R. Lansdale (Hap & Leonard series), Clive Barker(Books of Blood), John Connolly (Charlie Parker series), Ramsey Campbell, Stephen King (IT), Christopher Golden (Ararat), Charlaine Harris (Midnight, Texas), Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger series), Kevin J. Anderson (Tales of Dune), Craig Engler (Z Nation), and many more.

The full non-fiction anthology lineup includes:

• Introduction by William F. Nolan
• IT’S THE STORY TELLER by Joe R. Lansdale
• A-Z OF HORROR of Clive Barker
• WHY HORROR? by Mark Alan Miller
• PIXELATED SHADOWS by Michael Paul Gonzalez
• LIKE CURSES by Ray Garton
• HOW TO GET YOUR SCARE ON by S.G. Browne
• STORYTELLING TECHNIQUES by Richard Thomas
• HORROR IS A STATE OF MIND by Tim Waggoner
• BRINGING AN IDEA TO LIFE by Mercedes M. Yardley
• THE PROCESS OF A TALE by Ramsey Campbell
• GREAT HORROR IS SOMETHING ALIEN by Michael Bailey
• A HORRIFICALLY HAPPY MEDIUM by Taylor Grant
• INTERVIEW WITH JOHN CONNOLLY by Marie O’Regan
• THE STORY OF A STORY by Mort Castle
• WRITING ROUNDTABLE INTERVIEW with Christopher Golden, Kevin J. Anderson, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia
• HOW I SPENT MY CHILDHOOD LOOKING FOR MONSTERS AND FOUND POETRY INSTEAD by Stephanie M. Wytovich
• BITS AND PIECES INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN MABERRY by Eugene Johnson
• THE REEL CREEPS by Lisa Morton
• THE MONSTER SQUAD by Jess Landry
• WHAT SCARES YOU by Marv Wolfman
• PLAYING IN SOMEONE ELSE’S HAUNTED HOUSE by Elizabeth Massie
• CREATING MAGIC FROM A BLANK PIECE OF PAPER: Del Howison interviews Tom Holland, Amber Benson, Fred Dekker, and Kevin Tenney
• Z NATION: HOW SYFY’S HIT SHOW CAME TO LIFE by Craig Engler
• LIFE IMITATING ART IMITATING LIFE: FILM AND ITS INFLUENCE ON REALITY by Jason V Brock
• WHERE NIGHTMARES COME FROM by Paul Moore
• STEPHEN KING AND RICHARD CHIZMAR DISCUSS COLLABORATING by Bev Vincent
• CHARLAINE HARRIS DISCUSSES STORYTELLING by Eugene Johnson
• WHAT NOW? by John Palisano

This collection is perfect for…

• writers of all genres
• authors looking for motivation and/or inspiration
• authors seeking guidance
• struggling authors searching for career advice
• authors interested in improving their craft
• writers interested in comics
• authors looking into screenwriting and films
• horror fans in general
• those looking to better understand the different story formats
• authors planning on infiltrating a different field in horror writing
• artists trying to establish a name brand
• authors looking to get published

Come listen to the legends…