Brandon Cornett's Blog, page 9
June 20, 2022
Which Genre? Are Zombies Considered Science Fiction, Horror or Fantasy?
What genre do zombie books and novels fall into? Are zombies considered to be science fiction, fantasy or horror? These are common questions among fans of undead fiction, and they’ve spurred endless debate among readers and writers alike.
Here’s the short answer: From a genre standpoint, zombie books could be considered science fiction, horror, post-apocalyptic, fantasy, western — even romance. They can also fall into their own category, without a “parent” genre. It all depends on how the aut...
June 16, 2022
15 of the Best Zombie Books and Novels Ever Written (Based on Popular Opinion)
Looking for a list of the best zombie books ever written? Me too! In fact, that’s what motivated me to create the list you’re reading right now.
But let’s be honest: There’s no such thing as the best zombie apocalypse book or novel of all time. When it comes to fiction, the word “best” is highly subjective. A book that blows me away might fall flat with you, and vice versa.
So, instead of creating my own list, I devised a kind of “master list” of best zombie novels based on popular opi...
June 11, 2022
How to Write a Post-Apocalyptic Novel: 7 Tips for Beginner Writers
Wondering how to write a post-apocalyptic novel? You’re not alone! This is one of the most popular genres under the speculative fiction “umbrella,” for readers and authors alike. And with good reason.
Apocalyptic fiction is a versatile genre that can include elements of horror, science fiction, adventure, survival, and world building — to name but a few.
But how do you go about writing it? Here are some tips, ideas and suggestions to get you started.
How to Write a Post-Apocalyptic Nove...How to Write a Post-Apocalyptic Novel: 9 Tips for Beginner Writers
Wondering how to write a post-apocalyptic novel? You’re not alone! This is one of the most popular genres under the speculative fiction “umbrella,” for readers and authors alike. And with good reason.
Apocalyptic fiction is a versatile genre that can include elements of horror, science fiction, adventure, survival, and world building — to name but a few.
But how do you go about writing it? Here are some tips, ideas and suggestions to get you started.
How to Write a Post-Apocalyptic Nove...June 2, 2022
How to Create Interesting Characters in a Zombie Apocalypse Novel or Story
First-time writers entering the zombie genre sometimes focus on the zombies themselves while neglecting their human characters. This can result in flat or uninteresting characters that fail to engage the reader.
But you can avoid this problem by using some time-tested character development strategies.
In this article, I’ll explain some of the ways you can create original and interesting characters for a zombie apocalypse novel or short story.
Creating Interesting Characters in Zombie Fi...May 2, 2022
How to Start Writing a Novel, Once You Have an Idea for the Story
Do you have an idea for a novel, but you’re not sure how to start writing it? Need some help getting your story ideas onto the page? You’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, I’ll explain how to start writing a novel once you have an idea for the general story.
(Note: This is the blog version of a video I posted to my YouTube channel. If you prefer watching fiction-writing advice over reading it, check out the video below.)
How to Start Writing a Novel, Based on an Idea...February 14, 2022
10 Types of Science Fiction Books: Sci-Fi Subgenres With Example Works
People have tried to categorize the different types of science fiction books for a long time. But the thing is, this genre tends to defy categorization.
By its very nature, sci-fi pushes the boundaries of literature. It breaks the “rules.” It travels beyond mainstream fiction, ushering the reader into new and exciting realms.
Even so, a little classification can be useful. It helps us zero in on the types of science fiction book subgenres we enjoy the most, so we can explore similar wo...
February 5, 2022
How to Write a Horror-Thriller Novel That ‘Thrills and Chills’ Your Readers
Want to know how to write a horror-thriller story or novel? Ready to craft a story that thrills and chills your readers? You’ve come to the right place!
I just finished the final edit for a YA horror-thriller novel called The Holdbacks. That means I’ve spent the last nine months or so thinking about this genre, reviewing feedback from beta readers, etc. So I figured: What better time to create a guide for other writers? And here it is…
What Is a Horror-Thriller, Exactly?There’s no ...
January 22, 2022
How to Write a Good YA Thriller Novel: 10 Lessons from ‘The Holdbacks’
Are you planning to write a YA thriller novel in the near future? If so, you might find this blog post helpful. It offers some tips for writing a good YA thriller, based on the lessons I learned when creating my latest novel, The Holdbacks.
This isn’t a writing class and I’m not a teacher. But I have practiced the craft long enough to offer some tips and suggestions for aspiring writers. Many of these suggestions came from feedback I received from actual beta readers. So you’re bound to find ...
How to Write a YA Thriller Novel: 10 Lessons Learned from ‘The Holdbacks’
Are you planning to write a YA thriller novel in the near future? If so, you might find this blog post helpful. It offers some tips for writing a YA thriller, based on the lessons I learned when creating my latest novel, The Holdbacks.
This isn’t a class and I’m not a teacher. But I’ve practiced and studied the craft long enough to offer a few suggestions for aspiring writers. Many of these suggestions came from feedback I received from actual beta readers. So you’re bound to find something u...
