What has made Stephen King’s books so compelling they would sell 400 million copies? How does he draw in many readers that would otherwise never pick up a horror novel (let alone a 1200 page one)? In this class, fiction authors of all levels will workshop their horror stories utilizing the craft of King, developing characters that readers will empathize with and root for, constructing villains and monsters that grip audiences on a profound level, and producing stories that are so compelling readers will be forced to keep the pages turning, no matter the length of the book.
A comprehensive knowledge of Stephen King’s work is not essential for this class; even readers who’ve never read him at all will still discover plenty of valuable lessons in writing horror. Participants can expect in-depth discussions on craft and two rounds of workshopping, including written and verbal critique from the instructor.
Required Reading: The Shining by Stephen King
