Nates's Workshop On Horrible Writing #1

Copyright 1998-2004 by Nate Leved

Hi Gang! So, you've dropped in to see what Old Nate has to say about writing horrible stories, have you? Well, why not. This is as bad a place to learn as any other. First, let me say this about that... Writing horrible stories should be fun. Period. It's that simple. If you don't enjoy writing or telling your stories, then it's highly unlikely that anyone else will enjoy hearing or reading them either. So, when you get an idea for a story, tell or write it for the pure joy of sharing it. Do it for fun! You don't have to impress a whole bunch of critics with your early efforts, just create your stories for the love of it. The idea is to simply get your story into readable or spoken form.

Story telling is an art, and some of the best stories are delivered verbally to an audience. Of course, among the best places to tell horrible stories is around a bonfire, campfire or in the great outdoors. Good yarn spinners are popular people! Other places of interest might include a sleep-over, weenie roast, or for that matter, just about any place where people gather in leisure. Yes, tell stories for the sheer heck of it to fill in an otherwise dull moment or lull in the activities. It only follows then, that if you are going to set down and write a story on paper or your computer, you should write your story as if you were telling it to other people. After all, entertainment is the name of the game. Your job as a writer is to entertain your readers! Now, the only difference between a spoken story and a written one is the production medium which might include anything from pencil and paper to chiseling your prose in stone as was often done by our distant ancestors. Of course, now we have computers, TV and movies. Therefore, certain stories might just wind up as screen plays if they lend themselves to the medium and have merit.

Anyway, writing horrible stories can be a great psychological release if your emotions are properly contained or at least well managed. That means that instead of walloping somebody with your favorite meat cleaver or a handy fire ax, you can make up some characters and let them battle it out in some likely virtual environment. Converting your frustrations, daydreams, jealous rages and the like into short stories is just about as satisfying as letting the real thing rip without the embarrassment and excuses associated with the aftermath. Then too, it's less messy, and you don't have to go to jail or apologize. That's not to say that some day, you couldn't actually earn some quick cash with your deathless prose, but for now, let's just write for the fun of it.

Nate

Infernal Site Index:

Go to Horror Shop Index

*Disclaimer

"The stories on this site are purely fiction, and any similarity to
persons places or things, existing, living or dead is purely coincidental."

The fictional stories on this web site contain graphic fictional material and may
offend certain persons. If you think that such graphic fiction may offend or frighten
you or your family, then do not read these stories or allow others to read them. Or if you
choose to do so, then do so at your own risk. The author does not condone or endorse
such behavior, conduct or acts as might be exhibited or portrayed in the various elements
of the stories on this or any of his web sites as such stories are presented to adult audiences,
solely for entertainment. Do not participate in or reenact any of these plots. You have been warned!