10 BEST Tips for Writing DARK FICTION

Summary

In this engaging video, Jenna Moreci introduces her new studio and dives into the world of dark fiction, offering ten expert tips for writing compelling, emotionally resonant stories that explore humanity's darker side. She emphasizes the importance of tone, purpose, and psychological depth, while also discussing the role of fear and moral ambiguity in creating suspense. Viewers are also invited to celebrate the one-year anniversary of her best-selling dark fantasy romance novel, 'The Savior's Sister,' with a special live stream and a sale on a variety of dark fiction books, including her own.

Takeaways

• 🎉 The speaker is in a new studio and house, and they're still working out some kinks, asking for patience from the audience.
• 📚 Dark fiction is a broad term that includes any fiction with horrific elements like fear, dread, evil, and death, often exploring the darker aspects of humanity.
• 📖 Dark fiction encompasses various genres and subgenres, with horror novels typically being the darkest, but also including paranormal, dark fantasy, and some sci-fi novels.
• 📝 Dark fiction is popular among writers because 'dark' content is enticing to write, as it involves high-stakes conflict involving evil or death.
• 🔟 The speaker provides ten tips for writing compelling, engaging, and raw dark fiction, with personal favorites being tips six and nine.
• 🎉 The speaker announces a one-year book birthday celebration for their best-selling dark fantasy romance novel 'The Savior’s Sister' with a live stream event.
• 💰 There's a sale on dark fiction novels by various authors, including the speaker's own work, available for 99 cents, which is a great opportunity to expand one's dark fiction library.
• 🧩 Dark fiction doesn't require a high body count; the 'dark' qualifier is more about the tone of the story, which should evoke a sense of fear and the unknown.
• 💀 Death and scare tactics in dark fiction should serve a purpose and affect the plot, rather than existing for shock value alone.
• 🩸 While gore has its place in dark fiction, it should be used sparingly and should enhance the emotional impact of a scene, rather than overshadowing it.
• 🧠 Understanding human psychology is crucial in dark fiction to realistically portray how characters react to the ominous situations they face.
• 🔳 Moral grayness is a key element in dark fiction, where characters often behave in both good and bad ways, adding depth and complexity to the story.
• 🎢 Emotion in dark fiction should vary, with a mix of tension and calm to keep readers engaged and to make shocking scenes more impactful.
• 🤔 Writers should tap into their own fears to evoke genuine fear in their readers, as personal fears can be a powerful source of inspiration.
• ✍️ The speaker emphasizes that writing dark fiction should be about the story and its quality, not just about the writer's personal indulgence.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video is discussing tips for writing dark fiction, a genre that encompasses fiction with horrific elements such as fear, dread, evil, and death.

What does the term 'dark fiction' generally refer to?

Dark fiction is a broad term that includes any kind of fiction containing horrific elements, often exposing the more harmful or ominous aspects of humanity.

What are some genres and subgenres that can be considered dark fiction?

Horror novels, paranormal novels, dark fantasy, and some sci-fi novels can all be considered dark fiction.

What is the speaker's personal favorite part of the video content?

The speaker's personal favorite points are numbers six and nine in the list of tips for writing dark fiction.

What is the significance of the date mentioned for 'The Savior’s Sister'?

The date mentioned is the one-year book birthday of 'The Savior’s Sister,' which the speaker will celebrate with a live stream featuring games, Q&A, and special guests.

What special offer is available for dark fiction lovers according to the video?

A special offer where a range of dark fiction novels by best-selling authors, including the speaker, are on sale for 99 cents.

What is the importance of establishing a purpose for the dark elements in a story?

Establishing a purpose for the dark elements ensures that they serve the plot effectively, rather than existing for shock value alone, which can be gimmicky and less impactful.

Why is it advised to focus on emotion over blood in dark fiction?

Focusing on emotion over blood ensures that the violence and bloodshed in dark fiction have an emotional impact on both characters and readers, rather than merely being graphic for its own sake.

What is the role of psychology in writing dark fiction?

Psychology plays a crucial role in understanding how characters would realistically react to the dark and sinister situations they are placed in, adding depth and realism to their responses.

Why is moral grayness important in creating compelling dark fiction characters?

Moral grayness allows characters to behave in both good and bad ways, making them more complex and believable in a dark fiction setting where they are tested by morally challenging situations.

What advice does the speaker give regarding the use of fear in dark fiction?

The speaker advises tapping into personal fears to evoke genuine fear in readers, as it is likely that if something frightens the writer, it will also resonate with the audience.

What is the final tip the speaker provides for writing dark fiction?

The final tip is to prioritize the story's quality and clarity over personal indulgence, ensuring that every element, especially the dark ones, serves the plot and engages the reader.