Hey, friends.

Recently I’ve been writing a little less so that I can also make time for Japanese language learning. If I’ve written 1,000 words in a session then it’s probably enough for the day and I’ll move onto other things. Interestingly, when I mentioned this over on the This Is Horror Patreon Discord, Dan Howarth said he rarely writes over 1,000 words in a day. And when we spoke to Paul Tremblay on This Is Horror Podcast he said his limit is about 500 words.

It got me thinking if there’s ever any need for anyone to write more than 1,000 words per day and I suppose, really, it comes down to how many days you’re writing. If you can write every day then 1,000 words per day then that’s 365,000 words per year. If you take weekends or any two days off that still comes out to 261,000 words per year (on average). In the horror genre, you’re looking at novels at around 70,000–100,000 words. So if you’re target is to produce 1–2 novels per year and even a few short stories, too, it would seem 500–1,000 words will get you there with a load of editing and revising time.

We’re often encouraged to write more with challenges like NaNoWriMo. We also often impose pressure on ourselves to write more and faster but perhaps it’s time to slow down and write less. Perhaps then we will write better and be able to achieve more of the other things we desire.

What I’m Listening To

A lot of death metal by Chris Barnes’ fronted Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under. I spoke about cutting my caffeine consumption recently and this week has been one of experimentation. It turns out if I listen to heaven-as-hell death metal whilst writing it keeps me focussed and more awake. Enjoying the latest Six Feet Under record, Killing For Revenge, as well as the classic, Maximum Violence. Then for less groove and more ear-assault there’s the first few years of Cannibal Corpse, especially Tomb of the Mutilated, Butchered at Birth, and The Bleeding.

Do you have any death metal recommendations? Groove and brutal vocals are encouraged. Hit reply.
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What I’m Reading

Cold, Black & Infinite: Stories of the Horrific & Strange by Todd Keisling. I say I’m reading it but I’m actually listening to an early edition of it and holy hell does the narrator have chops. Five stories in and this is old school horror storytelling with an incredibly bleak and modern twist. At times I’m reminded of Stephen King, at others Clive Barker (245 to New Xebico I’m looking at you). There’s even something a bit Joyce Carol Oates for the splatterpunk generation about Happy Town Yuletide Massacre. This is compulsory reading and my biggest crime is having taken this long to get to it!

What’s on This Is Horror Podcast

We just wrapped up the trilogy with Adam Nevill. The third and final part digs deep into Adam’s latest book, ALL THE FIENDS OF HELL.

Over on This Is Horror YouTube two of the three parts of the conversation are available in glorious video format. Part three will drop soon, I promise.

Well, that about does it for another week. Don't forget to check out what’s been going on in This Is Horror world below.

​If you want to see other newsletters I recommend, you can follow this link (I think it actually works this time, unlike last week). ​

But until next time, have a great day, friends.

Michael David Wilson

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​Look Out For … How to Make a Horror Movie and Survive by Craig DiLouie​

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​TIH 565: Adam Nevill on All The Fiends of Hell​

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​5 Must Read Horror Articles 13 May 2024​

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​News Round-up Week Ending 10 May 2024​

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