Welcome to the first of our tried-and-tested series, where we recommend books (and other media) from the Hex Libris stacks.
We're starting with a bit of a fun one: R.L Stine's There Is Something Strange About My Brain!: Writing Horror for Kids.
A condensed version of Stine's Masterclass (which you may or may not be able to watch for free with a 30-day trial...), aside from the nostalgia kick for horror fans (I was grinning from ear to ear and devoured this in one sitting), it's a quick and punchy read that cuts straight to its many transferable points.
Reader, Beware…
However, before we touch on these, the caveat for this recommendation is that the book is extremely bare bones.
Around one third of its page count consists of blank pages with singular writing prompts, with another third dedicated to examples of Stine's initial drafting and editing process.
The fact that the book doesn't offer cover-to-cover writing advice is a tad misleading, especially at that price point (nearly £20), but the writing exercises do present a creative approach that encourages you to practically put pen to page (more so than any other guidance book I've read on writing).
The actual writing advice is whittled down to 62 tips and tricks (often just a few paragraphs), but it's precisely the book's lean structure and simple focus, peppered with comical and constructive anecdotes from Stine's long career, that make it a worthy addition to the shelves.
Whether you write horror or write about horror, Stine's (strange) brain is definitely worth picking. My top three takeaways:
Reference
First and foremost, fiction writers are of course going to get the most out of this. If you're new to writing, the constructive nature of the book, from the creative writing prompts to outlining examples from Stine's books (including editorial notes), steers you through each step without being bloated or overwhelming.
I particularly love the functional advice, such as starting with short stories before trying to outline a full book, and also how to ensure your project works as a standalone while simultaneously crafting the beats for a series.
Still, no matter where you are in your writing journey, dipping into the book is a fun way to refresh your approach to the craft. The combination of concise tips with Stine's simple writing style allows you freedom to integrate ideas into your own routine while making you think about your overall approach in that area, and the mini-workbook encourages you to step out of your comfort zone creatively.
Resource(ful)
While its merits for authors are more readily discernible, there are plenty of nuggets for non-fiction writers, from practical tips to enhance your productivity, to reflective questions that remind you why you started writing in the first place.
With a little imagination, the guidance can easily be applied to essays, encouraging you to think creatively about pacing, plotting, and Stine's staple cliffhanger.
The writing prompts are also an excellent way to fend off writer's block, try your hand at something new, or to simply write something for your own enjoyment (I know, A Shocker on Shock Street...).
Plus, the book has one of my favourite additions in a guidance book: further reading lists, as approved by Stine. This is a real treasure trove, including books on all aspects of writing for different genres and Stine's favourite literature (as well as which of his own books he recommends picking up).
Readability
No matter which horror camp you fall into, while completing your writing project is one feat, reaching readers is a completely different ball game.
Readability is key to ensure promotional writing is both clear and enjoyable to read.
To achieve this, copywriters often aim to write for year 7 (6th grade) reading ease; as There Is Something Strange About My Brain! is designed to craft stories for this age group, it's a brilliantly creative tool to help you write clear copy that resonates with your intended audience.
The End… or Is It?
In short, There Is Something Strange About My Brain! is a fun way to discover your writing style or wrench yourself out of a writing slump. (Plus, it's definitely one for the collectors!)
In Stine's words, maybe it "can help you enjoy your writing more." It helped me.
Simple, succinct, Stine. What more could you want?
It Came From the Shelves... rating: 3/5 Slappy's.
Pages: 204
Publisher: Erudition
Price: £17.99
Publication date: 2023
