Ever wondered what happens when you put horror writers from Norway and Ireland in a virtual room together? Well, the Twisted50 podcast gives us exactly that kind of fascinating peek into the world of horror writing. Host Chris Jones sat down with Leo from Norway and Eimear from Ireland to chat about everything from their first scary stories to how AI might change the writing game.

What's super interesting is how both writers came to horror from completely different angles. Leo jumped right in with a creepy story about a job interview gone horrifically wrong (talk about workplace nightmares!), while Eimear initially thought horror wasn't her thing at all. She actually believed horror was all about violence and gore until she discovered there's so much more to it. It's like finding out your scary neighbor is actually a sweetheart who bakes cookies.

The whole conversation really drives home how important having a supportive writing community is. Think about it - writing can be incredibly lonely, and most of us probably have that nagging voice in our head saying we're not good enough. That's where Twisted50 comes in, creating this amazing space where writers can share their work, get feedback, and actually see their stories in print. It's like having a cheerleading squad for your spooky stories!

One of the coolest parts was hearing how deadlines and community feedback totally transformed Eimear's writing process. She went from occasionally jotting down ideas to pumping out multiple short stories. It's amazing what a little pressure and encouragement can do! And Leo's experience shows how these communities can help writers stick with their craft long-term, developing their voice and style over multiple projects.

The discussion about AI in writing was particularly eye-opening. Instead of seeing it as this scary robot coming to steal their jobs, these writers talked about AI as more of a helpful tool - kind of like having a writing assistant who can help with the heavy lifting. Chris's comparison of AI to a Sherpa on Mount Everest was spot-on. It's there to help you climb, not to climb for you.

Perhaps the most surprising revelation came from Eimear's comments about horror's mental health benefits. Who would've thought that writing scary stories could actually make you feel better? It makes sense though - horror lets us explore our fears in a safe way, kind of like a literary version of a haunted house. You get all the thrills without any real danger.

The whole conversation really hammers home that horror writing isn't just about scaring people - it's about building connections, exploring creativity, and maybe even doing a bit of personal therapy along the way. These writers showed that whether you're a seasoned pro like Leo or a newcomer like Eimear, there's room for everyone in the horror community. And with projects like Twisted50 leading the way, the future of horror writing looks pretty bright (or should I say delightfully dark?).

This podcast reminds us that behind every scary story, there's a writer who's probably pretty normal, maybe even cheerful, and definitely part of a supportive community that helps bring these spine-tingling tales to life. It's not just about the final product - it's about the journey, the connections made, and the personal growth along the way.

Ever wondered what it takes to put together a horror anthology? Well, the recent chat between Chris Jones and Kate, the masterminds behind Twisted50 Volume 3, gives us a fascinating peek behind the curtain. Kate, who edited this latest volume, brought her A-game to the table, wading through a whopping 170 horror stories to find the cream of the crop.

One of the coolest things they discussed was how they tackled the technical side of getting the book onto Amazon. Chris was pretty nervous about the whole thing, which is totally relatable if you've ever dealt with publishing platforms. It's like trying to solve a puzzle while wearing a blindfold - you know what you want to do, but the process can be super tricky.

Kate dropped some serious knowledge bombs about what makes a horror story work. She's big on keeping things tight and snappy - no meandering sentences that leave readers scratching their heads. As she put it, "Something that happens when you have a lot of really long sentences all put together is it gets jumbled and you don't really process anything." That's solid gold advice right there for any writer looking to keep readers hooked.

Here's something interesting - they're not just looking for great stories; they want engaged authors too. The Twisted50 team actually keeps tabs on how involved writers are with the community. So if you're thinking about submitting to future volumes, don't just fire off your story and ghost them. Get in there, mix it up with other writers, and show them you're serious about being part of the Twisted50 family.

When it comes to screenplays (yeah, they take those too!), Kate emphasized how different they are from regular stories. Every word has to earn its place on the page, and dialogue needs to sound natural when read aloud. It's like the difference between writing a letter and having a conversation - they might tell the same story, but they need different approaches.

The whole conversation wrapped up with some killer advice for aspiring Twisted50 contributors. My favorite bit was when they said, "Don't be afraid to get really, really weird." In a world of horror stories, being unique is your secret weapon. The Twisted50 community seems super supportive too, which is pretty rare in the publishing world.

For anyone thinking about diving into horror writing, this podcast basically laid out a roadmap. Keep it tight, stay engaged, don't be afraid to get weird, and remember - you're not just submitting a story, you're potentially joining a community of horror enthusiasts who are all about helping each other succeed. The door's open for Twisted50 Volume 4, and based on what we heard, it sounds like an awesome opportunity for writers ready to embrace their dark side.

Ever thought about writing a horror story but weren't sure where to start? Well, there's this cool project called Twisted50 that's making it super easy for writers to dive into the spooky world of horror fiction. The project's founder, Chris Jones, recently sat down with script editor Lucy Hay to spill all the juicy details about writing horror and getting published.

One of the best things about Twisted50 is how accessible it is. You don't need to be Stephen King to get involved - all you need is a 2000-word horror story and the willingness to give feedback to other writers. It's like a horror writers' support group, but way less scary than it sounds! As Chris puts it, "It's such a low bar to entry because, you know, everybody can write a story under 2000 words."

The conversation between Chris and Lucy got really interesting when they started talking about why horror is such a powerful genre. They both grew up in the 80s, surrounded by classic horror that shaped their love for the genre. They pointed out how zombies have stuck around in horror because they're like a blank canvas - you can make them represent pretty much anything. As Lucy mentioned, zombies started as a metaphor for capitalism and consumer culture, but they've evolved to represent all sorts of social issues.

When it comes to actually writing horror, both experts had some killer advice. They stressed the importance of grabbing readers right from the start and using active language to keep the story moving. Here's a gem of advice they shared: "Write as though nobody's ever going to read it." This isn't because your writing is bad, but because it frees you up to explore those dark corners of your imagination without holding back.

The community aspect of Twisted50 is pretty unique. Writers don't just submit their stories and hope for the best - they become part of a supportive network where everyone helps each other improve. The feedback process is designed to be constructive rather than critical, with both Chris and Lucy suggesting that writers frame their comments as questions rather than judgments. This approach helps writers develop their skills without feeling attacked or discouraged.

For anyone looking to get into horror writing, they had some practical tips that are easy to implement. One cool suggestion was to listen to horror movie soundtracks while writing to help set the mood. They also emphasized that you don't need to be a horror fan to write in the genre - sometimes coming at it from a fresh perspective can lead to the most interesting stories. The main thing is just to start writing and not be afraid to explore those dark ideas lurking in your mind.

The whole conversation really highlighted how horror writing can be both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Whether you're dealing with supernatural monsters or exploring real-world fears, there's something uniquely cathartic about crafting a horror story. And with initiatives like Twisted50 making it easier than ever to get involved in the horror writing community, there's never been a better time to give it a shot. After all, as the experts suggest, everyone's got at least one good horror story in them - it's just a matter of letting it out!