In order to grow your skill and confidence as a writer, you have to read what you write. Many horror fiction writers today were inspired by writers of the past like Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Shelley, and Shirley Jackson. Hell, there are horror writers alive today pumping out book after book, inspiring thousands. Yes, Stephen King, I’m talking about you.

Here’s some advice I have found helpful for making the most out of the time I spend nose deep in a book as a writer.

Seek Out Key Works/Writers in Your Genre

Despite living in a relatively small apartment, I’ve found enough room to keep a small collection of digital and physical books that have changed the way I write. Books/stories like: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Garcia Moreno, “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, a smattering of novels by Grady Hendrix, and some works by Stephen King (obviously).

No matter your preferred genre, there are writers out there who’s work has created an impact. Seek them out and see what you can learn from them. Whenever I feel uninspired, I revisit works that have moved me. I take in their wording, imagery, characters, relationships, and I ask myself what made these elements stand out and how can I replicate them in my own writing.

Identify What Moves You

Whenever I’m reading, I try to take note of what moves me and why.

In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” Gilman presents us with stunning storytelling that makes the reader feel like you are going mad with the main character. It’s a memorable piece of literature that comments on the misogyny of the time. Grady Hendrix is the king of horror comedy. I look to his stories every time I’m looking to work on my comedic timing in my writing. In addition to that, his character and relationship development is incredible.

Of course I have to mention Stephen King. He is one of the defining figures of modern horror. His concepts are unique and bone chilling. His writing and imagery, while unpresuming and straight forward, can leave you feeling haunted.

Just as important as identifying what resonates with you is finding out what doesn’t. There is some terrible writing out there that can rub you the wrong way. It is your job to ask yourself why.

One example of this for me is Grady Hendrix’s The Final Girl Support Group. The concept was there, but the writing just wasn’t. I wish there was more character and relationship development for these women who shared similar experiences of trauma. In addition to that, 80s and 90s horror movies are all about their slashers and monsters, and while Hendrix pays homage to iconic horror villains, I think he fails to create an antagonists that brings that same energy to his story.

I hate to bag on Hendrix. I genuinely love his books—My Best Friend’s Exorcism, Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, How to Sell a Haunted House—and I’m excited to read Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Still, I feel its important to identify what does and doesn’t move you in other people’s writing and ask yourself why. It helps you improve your writing by allowing you to think critically about a piece.

Annotate, annotate, annotate

As you’re reading, I recommend annotating the crap out of your books. Whenever you come across imagery that takes your breath away, witness character or relationship development that resonates with you, or see a word you don’t know the meaning of, highlight those moments. Write in the margins your thoughts, feelings, and insights. Simply reflect.

Why should you do this? Because annotating will help you remember what aspects of a work really moved you, get you thinking about what lead to that feeling of resonation, and will make it easier to refer back to that moment.

Don’t Box Yourself In

This is more of a word of caution for my fellow writers. Just because you’ve found a particular author that you love doesn’t mean you need to copy their exact style. My main point is to find those works that really strike a cord with you, examine why they have done so and see how you can use those moments to improve your skills and confidence.

You are not tied to the elements of a certain genre or writing style. Step outside of your genre when you read and see what elements of another you can use to create work that is your own. Don’t be afraid to push the envelope, question the norms, and try something new.

Tell me, what books you have read that inspired your writing? What was it that really resonated with you? Let me know down in the comments, and I’ll see you next week when we go over the third practice to building your writing confidence.