Introduction to Writing Horror Stories
A course by María Fernanda AmpueroAuthor
A course by María Fernanda Ampuero, Author
Learn to transform your deepest fears into compelling, terrifying and unforgettable stories that impact readers
For journalist and writer María Fernanda Ampuero, one of the keys to writing good horror stories is starting out with something frightening, then cranking up the volume to make it utterly terrifying. Her stories contain the level of brutality needed to impact the reader, while managing to balance it out with authenticity, tension, and lots of affection towards her characters.
In this course, learn to draw inspiration from real-life fears to write horror stories. Lull your reader into a sense of calm at the beginning, then gradually increase the tension until that final shriek! Your teacher also gives you tips to get your work seen and published.
What will you learn in this online course?
15 lessons & 18 downloads
Tell me your worst nightmares
4 minutes, 39 seconds
And now, where do I get a monster?
9 minutes, 7 seconds
The voice from beyond the grave
3 minutes, 57 seconds
It was a monster, it is a monster, it will be a monster
4 minutes, 45 seconds
Everything was going so well
6 minutes, 48 seconds
Do not look under the bed
7 minutes, 13 seconds
What's included in this course?
María Fernanda Ampuero starts off by telling you about her journey through the world of fiction, from the very first fairy tales she read and legends from her home country, to the publication of her first fiction book, Cockfight. She also talks about authors and filmmakers who have worked in horror and to whom she owes her fascination with the genre.
Now it's time to pinpoint the "material" that's going to act as the trigger for your story: an anecdote, a memory, a piece of news, an event, a real fear, or a troubling object. Your choice forms the structure in which tension is going to build as you go deeper into the writing process. Decide on the narrative voice and the verb tense that best suits your story.
María goes on to explain how to carve out the atmosphere, the different situations, and those jarring moments that make the reader want to cover their eyes, but peek through their fingers at the same time. Learn how to trust your reader, which is essential in all genres, not just in horror, and cultivate authenticity so they can put themselves in the protagonist's shoes.
Your teacher shares the different habits, practices, and strategies that you have to develop if you want to seriously dedicate yourself to writing in the future. Finally, she answers some of the most important questions for all amateur writers: how to get published, how to get your work noticed, and the moment when your story becomes a book.
What is this course's project?
Write a horror story based on an anecdote, a piece of news, a memory, a nightmare, a social issue, an urban legend, or something that's genuinely one of your deepest fears.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Any horror fanatic who wants to learn basic techniques for writing a story from the genre.
Requirements and materials
You need to know and love the horror genre, both in cinema and literature.
In terms of materials, you need a pencil, pen, notebook, computer, and the overwhelming desire to frighten your readers.
Reviews
- 12 days ago
Es una buena guía para principiantes. Con las herramientas siento que puedo escribir un buen texto y concretar mi proyecto.
- hesaynePLUS13 days ago
Exelente, divertido y ameno!
- 1 month ago
Excelente curso, me encantó la forma en que presentó el tema y su progresión. Gracias
- 2 months ago
Me está gustando mucho el curso, me parece muy emocionante.
- 3 months ago
Excelente curso.
She has also published two books of journalistic chronicles: Lo que aprendí en la peluquería (Dinediciones, 2011) and Permiso de Residencia (Caracola, 2013). She has collaborated with important literary chronicle magazines such as Gatopardo, Piaüi, and Internazionale. Her work has been translated into English, Italian, Portuguese, Greek, and Chinese.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- U2
What are fears made of?
- Tell me your worst nightmares
- And now, where do I get a monster?
- The voice from beyond the grave
- It was a monster, it is a monster, it will be a monster
- U3
My mother wants to kill me
- Everything was going so well
- The sinister knocks at the door
- Do not look under the bed
- Look under the bed
- The call comes from your own home
- I'll go with you to hell itself
- The exorcist's last words
- U4
The final scream
- Ranger to the rescue
- A book of black magic
- FP
Final project
- Writing a story: from the chronicle to the fictional narrative
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
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Get front-row seats
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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FAQs
You’ll learn techniques for crafting horror stories, developing chilling characters, building atmosphere, and turning personal fears into powerful tales. The course equips you with tools to innovate within the genre and refine your storytelling.
Yes, the course is designed for those with basic storytelling knowledge who want to dive deeper into horror-specific techniques and improve their stories.
Professional experience isn’t required, but having basic writing skills and a strong eagerness to experiment and learn about horror is recommended.
All you need is a computer or notebook to write, internet access, and a willingness to read and analyze horror texts. No special software is necessary.
The course covers techniques for creating eerie atmospheres, developing literary monsters, using effective narrators, managing suspense, and turning everyday objects into sources of fear.
You’ll learn how to create vulnerable characters and monsters inspired by real or collective fears, using symbolism and narrative tools to evoke empathy and terror in readers.
Yes, the course analyzes fairy tales and classic horror works to understand the roots of fear and how it evolves into modern stories, as well as their psychological impact.