In this 12-week expanded version of our Weekly Horror Writing for Teens, students write a brand-new scary story every week—with a brand-new horror focus area to keep things fresh, creepy, and creatively exciting.
One week we might work on building dread. Another week, we might focus on haunted settings, unreliable narrators, monsters, suspense, creepy objects, horror twists, survival stories, or the moment a character realizes something is very, very wrong. Horror is a huge genre, and this class gives students the chance to try different kinds of scary stories! Some stories might be eerie and atmospheric. Some might be dramatic and intense. Some might be weird, funny, unsettling, or full of “NOPE, absolutely not” moments.
Amid all that variety, students are building a real horror-writing skillset. Week by week, they’ll practice the pieces that make scary stories work: suspense, pacing, atmosphere, character stakes, reveals, tension, dread, sensory details, twists, and endings that leave readers thinking about the story after it’s over. Every class gives students something specific to try right away, while also helping them become stronger, more confident storytellers over time.
This class is a great fit for teens who love horror, teens who want to write darker or more suspenseful stories, and teens who are interested in learning how scary stories actually work—not just what happens, but how writers create fear, tension, and emotional impact on the page.
What We’ll Do Each Week
Each class includes:
- A focused mini-lesson on a horror-writing skill or technique
- A creative prompt connected to that week’s focus area
- Time to brainstorm and ask questions
- 20–25 minutes of dedicated writing time
- Optional sharing after writing
- Encouraging in-class feedback for students who choose to share
Students are always invited to share their work after writing, but they are never required to.
Students may also polish their work after class and send it to the teacher for written feedback. This gives students the chance to revise at their own pace and receive more detailed notes than we can always give during live class time. Stories must be sent in within 36 hours of class ending—the goal of this class is not to produce flawless pieces, but rather to try something new and unexpected!
Full Editorial Feedback
At the end of the 12-week session, students may choose one story to send to the teacher for full editorial feedback.
This is more than a quick “great job!” note. Students will receive thoughtful, specific feedback on what’s working, where the story could be stronger, and what they might revise next—similar to the kind of editorial notes a professional author might receive on a draft.
Students do not have to turn in a story if they don’t want to, but for writers who are ready to take one scary story further, this is a chance to experience the revision-and-feedback process in a supportive, writer-focused way.
Why This Class Works
This class keeps horror writing exciting without letting it become random.
Every week gives students a new scary-story challenge to play with, so they can experiment, take creative risks, and discover what kind of horror they most enjoy writing. At the same time, the lessons connect, so students are not just writing more scary scenes—they’re learning how suspense, tension, stakes, and atmosphere work together.
By the end of the session, students will have a collection of new horror drafts, a stronger understanding of scary storytelling, and a clearer sense of how to make readers feel something on purpose.
Parental Guidance
Please note that as this is a teen horror writing class, a certain amount of violence and drama is to be expected! We do ask that all students let peers know about the content of their story before they begin reading it aloud—those who would prefer not to hear a given story are welcome to turn their volume down until it’s complete. That said, we strictly do not allow students to share stories that involve hate crimes, sexual assault, or animal abuse.
