Monsters are more than things that go bump in the night... Monsters are lurking in the woods, beneath the waves, and within our favorite books, films, and games--and there are good reasons why they appear so often. Monsters are manifestations of our fears and symbols of our society--not to mention they're a lot of fun--but each should serve a purpose and enhance the themes and tension in your fiction. In Writing Monsters, best-selling author Philip Athans uses classic examples from books, films, and the world around us to explore what makes monsters memorable--and terrifying. You'll learn what monsters can (and should) represent in your story and how to create monsters from the ground up. Writing Monsters includes: • In-depth discussions of where monsters come from, what they symbolize, and how to best portray them in fiction • Informative overviews of famous monsters, archetypes, and legendary creatures • A Monster Creation Form to help you create your monster from scratch • An annotated version of H.P. Lovecraft's chilling story "The Unnamable" Whether you write fantasy, science fiction, or horror, your vampires, ghouls, aliens, and trolls need to be both compelling and meaningful. With Writing Monsters, you can craft creatures that will wreak havoc in your stories and haunt your readers' imaginations--and nightmares.
Provides advice for writing fiction, short stories, mysteries, science fiction and fantasy, television and film, and humor including characterization, plot, themes, and marketing your finished product for publication.
But a poorly done or unbelievable fight scene can ruin a great book in an instant. In Fight Write you'll learn practical tips, terminology, and the science behind crafting realistic fight scenes for your fiction.
Fans of Sadie and You will be riveted by this compulsively readable new thriller about a survivor of dating violence who uses her newfound awareness of everyday evil to hunt for a killer.
"When readers don't believe in your monsters, they don't believe in your story. This power-packed book contains everything you need to know to quickly master writing monsters and maniacs for hit sci-fi, fantasy, and horror stories.
Trick or treat? With nods to Tim Burton, Edward Gorey, and Neil Gaiman, this humorous picture book about a Victorian boy obsessed with monsters presents a dark and appealing world, created by debut author/illustrator Sam Streed.
But did you know sometimes even monsters get scared? They can be sad, they can be kind, they can miss their mommies. Sometimes, they're just plain silly. And even monsters need to brush their teeth!
From aliens to zombies, this power-packed book teaches the top secrets you need to quickly master writing incredibly realistic monsters, aliens, and fantasy creatures! Best of all, it works with any genre and includes 150+ plot ideas!
Thirty writers look back at the the people, events, and books that launched their literary lives.
Learn the secret histories behind Japanese movie monsters like Godzilla, Mothra, Gamera, and Ultraman and how talented screenwriters breathed creative life into the monsters well before the special effects technicians could!
vampire legend has always been with us—from the shadows of the ancient Egyptian pyramids to the bright lights of New York City, the vampire's evil remains eternal. Every culture has its own name for the night stalker.