Writing About What Scares You

Hey friends! I am sneaking in to Teen Writers Club for my favorite season. This time around, let's examine fear. What scares you? Why does it scare you? How does it motivate you? As you think about these things, I would like you to write a scary short story. It doesn't need to fit any tropes because fear can present anywhere and in a multitude of ways. Think of the scariest stories you've ever read and examine what elements of the stories actually scared you.

I personally love a good spooky story, so I am eager to read what you submit! Your goal is to make your reader feel fear. You have many options for how you go about achieving that. Write your story about a true event that scared you. Or dig into your imagination and craft a terrifying tale for your readers.

If you're struggling with where to begin, try retelling a story that scared you in your own words. You can also try making a list of sensory things that scare you – the sound of water dripping from a faucet in middle of the night, the shadow of the tree branch on your wall, a particular smell, or the feeling of being watched. Is anyone else irrationally suspicious of a closed shower curtain?

Let's meet up around this imaginary bonfire and swap scary stories. Who's got the s'mores?

This booklist was created based on community member suggestions for spooky books. Peruse it and see if one strikes your fancy or gives you a boost of inspiration!