8 Scary Films to Inspire Your Writing

Time to turn the lights off, grab some snacks and settle down to watch some of these Halloween classics! Here are 8 films that I think will inspire your writing and provide you with a few examples on how to come up with some of your own thrills and chills. 

1) Halloween (1978)

The original boogeyman  that terrorized babysitter Laurie Strode. It's a classic for a reason, if you haven't seen this (seriously, where have you been?) then Halloween needs to be at the top of your list.

2) The Others (2001)

This film brings all kinds of shivers, the plot twist always gets me! The Others turns the traditional ghost story on it's head, and since its release has become a firm favourite. It's not gory or particularly terrifying (a few jump scares), but Nicole Kidman plays this ghost story wonderfully well. A definite one to watch if you've been stumbling over twists and turns in your own writing!

3) The Shining (1980)

Even the opening credits make me break out in a cold sweat! This film is one of the most famous adaptations of a Stephen King novel. 

Jack Nicholson terrifies audiences as Jack Torrance - an out of work writer who takes a job as an off-season caretaker at an isolated hotel in the mountains. Jack is slowly driven insane by a supernatural presence, while his young son and wife realise that they may not ever leave the hotel alive.

4) Saw (2004)

Another film with a fantastic plot twist. Now before the ridiculous amount of sequels followed, Saw was a unique horror. Firstly the complex narrative plot, but what's more interesting is the motivation of Jigsaw, the man behind the 'games'.

5) Eden Lake (2008)

Eden Lake is one of my favourite horror films -  what starts off as a seemingly typical cliche - Couple head into the woods for a romantic camping trip- is quickly turned into a very real and believable nightmare. An interesting look at our society and the fear of stranger-danger. 

6) The Conjuring (2013)

 If your latest project is a horror then you will certainly pick up some helpful tips from James Wan's The Conjuring. Based on a true story about a family haunted by sinister paranormal events in their home, it makes some pretty intense scenes. Be sure to sleep with the lights on!

7) You're Next (2011)

You're Next tells the story of a family gathering gone wrong - seriously wrong! Terrorised by a group of masked strangers, the family have to fight for survival. What delivers so well in this film are the believable characters and Sharni Vinson as one of the best Final Girl's the horror genre has seen. 

8) Shutter (2004)

Japanese Horror or J-Horror is one of my favourite genres for a reason - they create terrifying films with genuinely creative and emotional plots. Shutter follows in the same vein as The Grudge and The Ring, but with a ghost story that will haunt you long after you've finished watching it. A young photographer and his girlfriend are haunted by a mysterious woman appearing in his photos - in a race against time they must find out who she is and why she is there...

So it's only a few days left of October and until Halloween! I hope you get a chance to watch a few of these as I'm certain it will inspire some creative scares in your own writing. 

Let me know some of your favourite scary films in the comments below!

Others I recommend are:

• All The Boys Love Mandy Lane
• Cabin in The Woods
• The Strangers
• Sinister
• The Woman in Black
• The Ring
• The Grudge
• Mama
• The Sixth Sense
• Sleepy Hollow
• American Psycho
• Misery
• Scream
• Silence of The Lambs

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They're back - Dad's Army

They're back in the film adaptation of the much loved BBC sitcom and by the looks of the trailer - still up to their hilarious mishaps! 

The official synopsis reads, "The film will be set during 1944, when World War II was about to reach its end. In Walmington-on-Sea, Captain Mainwaring's Home Guard suffers from low morale. This is until a glamorous journalist arrives, to report on the platoon's exploits.

Meanwhile, MI5 have discovered a radio signal transmitted from Walmington-on-Sea towards Berlin, apparently the work of a spy, giving the Home Guard a chance to make a real difference in the war."

Dad's Army stars Michael Gambon, Bill Nighy, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Alison Steadman, Blake Harrison and Toby Jones.

Directed by Oliver Parker, Dad's Army will be released February 5th 2016.

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Will Smith wants the truth in 'Concussion'

Concussion stars Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist whose research has discovered that continual head trauma  suffered by professional footballers leads to brain damage.

The NFL fight against Dr. Bennet and his research from being publicised and deny there is any proof. Concussion is directed by Peter Landesman, and also stars Alec Baldwin and Albert Brooks.

Concussion will be released on December 25th 2015.

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens newest trailer

The newest trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens has dropped!

Teasing intergalactic chunks of new imagery and scenes in the third instalment, and further confirming Daisy Ridley as the lead character Rey. 

Rey is a scavenger on the desert planet Jakku, joined by Finn a first order Stormtrooper to begin their adventure in the latest film. The plot is still not clear from the trailer, but showcases the newest cast members as well as glimpses of treasured fan favourites. The Force Awakens is also said to be the first film of a planned trilogy, so brace yourselves for more Star Wars goodness to come your way!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set 30 years after the events of  Return of the Jedi  and directed by J.J. Abrams

Also starring Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson and Andy Serkis.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be released on December 18th 2015.

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' The Lady in the Van' is almost here!

Maggie Smith stars in the true story about an eccentric old woman named Mary Shepherd, who lived for 15 years in a battered van on the driveway of writer Alan Bennett's home.

The trailer teases some of Mary's hilarious one liners and other more sentimental moments such as receiving Christmas presents in her van. The film has been adapted by Alan Bennett himself, and directed by Nicholas Hytner (History Boys, Miss Saigon).

This is Maggie's third outing as Mary Shepherd, having previously played her in an 1999  theatrical adaptation and in 2009 in a Radio 4 production. 

The Lady in the Van also stars Jim Broadbent, Alex Jennings and  Frances de la Tour and will be released on November 13th 2015.

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'The Boy' brings the terror in doll-size proportions

The Walking Dead's Lauren Cohan stars in the creepy horror 'The Boy'.

The Boy tells the story of a young american woman called Greta, hired as a nanny by an elderly couple to look after their son Brahms...a doll. 

While the couple are away on vacation, they have left Greta a list of rules that she must obey when looking after Brahms. If Greta does not follow a rule, something strange occurs. 

Isolated and alone in their huge mansion, Greta is quickly forced to admit that Brahms is not just a harmless porcelain doll and is capable of more than she ever could have imagined.

Starring Lauren Cohan and Rupert Evans, and directed by William Brent Bell (The Devil Inside) - The Boy will be released on January 22nd 2016.

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6 Things You Need In Your Dystopian YA Novel

There’s a certain formula that goes into creating a successful bestselling book series and franchise such as The Hunger Games, Divergent or The Maze Runner series. Not everybody has the secret recipe for “Creating Katniss”, but with these tips from six YA Dystopian authors, you’ll be onto a good start!

1) Holding Out For A Hero

“When it comes to individual destiny, there is no power greater in the universe then the conviction of the human soul to make a choice.”

James Dashner, The Maze Runner series

Your protagonist is the vessel, the eyes of which the reader experiences their world. It’s rather tricky trying to get the balance of headstrong rebel leader and vulnerable teenager, so remember the basics.

Protagonists in Dystopian YA are usually isolated or feel out of place in their society/home/world. They are normal citizens fed up of living within their society’s demands/limits. An incident will cause them to confront these issues– but when they do, it’s important to keep the character relatable. Don’t make them high and mighty – remember the angst and rebellion and use it to your advantage.

Remember:

• Protagonist should be/feel isolated in their society/home/world.
• An incident causes their rebellion.
• Make them a believable and relatable hero.

2) The Cause 

“Dystopian novels help people process their fears about what the future might look like; further, they usually show that there is always hope, even in the bleakest future.”

Lauren Oliver, Delirium Trilogy

What drives you to write this novel? Really think about it and the issues in our society, and how you can portray these fears in a dystopian world.

How is the story relevant to teenagers, and can it shed a new perspective on issues in our current society? What incident is the catalyst that forces the protagonist in your story to confront their society/friends/peers? Take the time to look at the news and think about how our world can be adapted and inspire your own story.

Remember:

• What issues about our society/world need to be addressed?
• Are these issues relevant to teenagers?
• If they are, how will you portray them in your Dystopian YA?

3) Love Is A Battlefield 

“The best characters in books are always the difficult ones, and why would you want to fall in love with someone difficult? The ones I’d fall in love with are the ones I’d definitely keep out of a book.”

Patrick Ness, The Chaos Walking Series

There is nearly always a love triangle included in Dystopian YA, and while it’s not crucial to include, it definitely serves well for a character’s motivation. In your novel, it’s easy to fall into the trap of becoming too focused on creating the perfect love interest. Forget that – everybody is flawed to some degree. Make it interesting, make it real – remember we all make mistakes. How can these characters and their feelings enhance your plot? They need to be more than just a pretty face and help drive the narrative towards a shocking conclusion.

Remember:

• Don’t strive for perfection – nobody is perfect/perfect is boring.
• Flawed characters are more believable/relatable.
• Romantic interests/subplot must enhance your story and serve a purpose.

4) Theme

“I think people respond to dystopian stories because they’re ways of acting out anxieties that we have and fears that we have about the future. So much media’s coming at you over the Internet, your brain gets overloaded. You don’t know what to do with it. And one thing you can do with it is read a story.” 

Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games Series

A clear understanding of what the theme is in your story is crucial. Be informed on current events by watching the news or reading the newspaper. What do you worry most about our society and how can you portray that fear seen through your characters eyes?

Remember:

• Watch the news/read the newspaper etc – be informed on current issues.
• What concerns do you have about society?
• Can you adapt that concern into a Dystopian YA plot and make it relatable to your character’s journey?

5) What A (not so!) Wonderful World

“I think it’s fascinating to look at a world that an author has created that has sort of stemmed from the world now, and usually dystopian books point out something about our current world and exaggerates a tendency or a belief.” 

Veronica Roth, Divergent series

Following on from the previous point, how can this fear be exaggerated and built upon in your story? It’s important to lay the foundation of your world and why it came to be in its current state. You need to make the reader care about the history of your dystopian world and want an explanation for the protagonist’s situation. Create a world that serves the plot and enhances your character and their journey.

Remember:

• Explain the history of your world and how it came to be.
• It does NOT need to be an epic explanation, but the reader does NEED one.
• Your world should NOT take away focus from the character, but enhance their journey and add to the story.

6) There Is Always Hope 

“The beauty of dystopia is that it lets us vicariously experience future worlds – but we still have the power to change our own.”

Ally Condie, Matched Trilogy

The rise in anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses in teenagers nowadays has not gone unnoticed by the Dystopian YA genre. Dystopian YA often will draw a comparison of these issues in their narrative and reflected in their characters. Much like the protagonist trying to survive a harsh and isolated world, this is very much relatable to the general public who themselves might be dealing with their own struggles. The reader is able to experience the hero’s highs and lows from the safety and comfort of their own home. Through the darkness and light, Dystopian YA is able to give reassurance that no matter how bleak a situation, there is always hope.

Remember:

• Look into issues affecting teenagers – rise in depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses.
• Draw from these issues and consider how they can be reflected in your own characters/story/world.
• Remember that your hero’s journey serves as a reminder to the reader, that they too can handle life’s ups and downs.

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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

We've all heard of the Jane Austen classic, but this time Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet will be joined by...zombies!

The teaser trailer has just dropped for the adaptation of the 2009 novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, directed by Burr Steers and starring Lily James, Matt Smith, Douglas Booth, Charles Dance and Lena Headey. 

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies will be released in the US on February 5th, 2016 and in the UK on February 12th 2016.

Watch the trailer and let me know your thoughts below. Ridiculous or genius idea? 

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Julia Roberts in 'Secret in Their Eyes'

Julia Roberts takes the lead in the upcoming thriller "Secret in Their Eyes", co-starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Nicole Kidman and directed by Billy Ray. 

Three friends - FBI Investigators Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Jess (Julia Roberts) and District Attorney Supervisor Claire (Nicole Kidman) are struck by tragedy when they discover at a murder scene, that the victim is Jess's teenage daughter. They find a suspect but it ultimately leads to a dead end. 

13 years later things are very different between the three friends, until  Ray returns to Los Angeles believing he has found a new lead that can solve the case and catch the killer. 

Jess has become obsessed with finding justice for her daughter at whatever cost with or without her friend's help. This soon becomes a race against time for Ray and Claire to catch the killer before Jess does.

The trailer showcases a lot (if not most) of the intense scenes, such as Jess finding out her daughter is the victim which I think would have been a powerful surprise/shock factor for the audience. Nonetheless this film looks like it will be full of emotionally charged scenes, Julia Roberts looks particularly impressive. 

What do you think? - Enjoy the trailer and let me know your thoughts below! 

Secret in Their Eyes will be released on 20th November 2015.

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Natalie Dormer gets lost in 'The Forest'

If you go down to the woods today...well, in this case 'The Forest', you're sure to find a surprise.

Game of Thrones Natalie Dormer is the lead in the upcoming horror film set in Japan. Dormer stars as Sara, a young woman who travels to Aokigahara Forest - notoriously known as a suicide spot, in search of her twin sister who is missing. 

Now, here's a not so fun fact - Aokigahara Forest is actually a real-life place that exists in Japan, where people really have gone to commit suicide. Seriously! Cue the creepy...

The Forest has a lot of potential from the looks of the trailer. I hope it has the same vibe as the American versions of The Ring and The Grudge-two fantastic American/Japanese culture hybrids but only time will tell.

Directed by Jason Zada and due for release on 8th January 2016. 

Will you be watching The Forest?

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