The supernatural horror subgenre has been frightening readers and moviegoers for decades. And while it goes through cycles of popularity, it will never go away. Humans will always crave tales of supernatural forces, such as demons, ghosts and spirits. It’s […]
Author: Brandon Cornett
I write gritty sci-fi thrillers about rogue AI and killer robots, and you can participate. Subscribe to the Machine Wars newsletter so you can participate!
Types of Horror Fiction: 10 Subgenres With Recommended Books for Each
At a glance: This article lists ten popular types or subgenres of horror fiction, with some recommended novels for each category. Dividing the horror genre into individual subgenres is harder than you might think. (Trust me on this.) There’s a […]
Starting a Novel With Dialogue: Five Dos and Don’ts
Starting a novel with dialogue can be tricky, even for the most experienced writers. That’s why many writers avoid it altogether. When done poorly, it can leave readers scratching their heads. Who are these people? Who’s the main character? How […]
Creating Believable Characters in Sci-Fi, Fantasy & Horror Fiction
At a glance: This article offers some tips and strategies for creating believable characters in speculative fiction, namely sci-fi, fantasy and horror. Investing time and energy into your characters is one of the best things you can do to improve […]
Ten Tips for Writing Zombie Novels and Fiction
Need some tips for writing good zombie fiction? You’ve come to the right place. Below, you’ll find some of my own writing advice, along with tips and suggestions from other writers working in the genre. Enter, if you dare! Brandon’s […]
Ten Different Ways to Start a Zombie Apocalypse Story or Novel
A while back, I wrote an article that offered zombie story ideas for writers of horror and speculative fiction. It’s now the most popular article on this blog, in terms of traffic and readership. I didn’t expect that, but it’s […]
Writing Apocalyptic Fiction: A Guide for Beginning Writers
A guide to writing apocalyptic fiction, from an author who lives there… Doomsday stories have enthralled readers for centuries. For as long as we’ve understood our place in the world, we’ve told stories about how that world might end. That’s […]
How to Write a Good Science Fiction Novel: A 10-Point Plan
How do you write a good science fiction novel? Talk about a big question. You could fill up a college semester or two answering that one. You could write a series of books on the subject. But let’s tackle it […]
A List of Post-Apocalyptic Scenarios & Story Ideas for Fiction Writers
Looking for some post-apocalyptic story ideas and scenarios to fuel your next writing project? You’ve come to the right place. We’re about to take a deep dive into the world of apocalypse fiction. We’ll also be exploring some fresh ideas […]
How to Start a Horror or Suspense Novel: Options for Writers
Starting a novel can be difficult, even for the most experienced of writers. Starting a horror or suspense novel can be even harder. There’s a lot that needs to happen within those first few pages and chapters. And readers have […]