The Honeycut: What I’ve Learned as a Horror Author

Humble Beginnings 

This might sound like shameless promotion. But in reality, we didn’t cover a movie this week on the Midnight Terrors Podcast, and I had to think of something to write about this week. So, maybe it is shameless self-promotion after all. 

I’ve been a horror writer now for about eight years, and a published author for six. It’s crazy to think that. Back when I randomly began writing one night in my apartment, I never would have guessed some of the amazing opportunities I’ve had because of my writing. I wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned along the way. Maybe it’ll help you if you’re looking to take your creative passion projects to the next level. 

Study Your Craft

This is the best way to begin. For example, I had no experience in fiction when I wrote my first manuscript. So, I looked up YouTube videos on how to write and format novels, read articles on story structure, and just learned as much as I could. I still do this when I read a book. On top of reading for pleasure, I read other people’s work so I can take what I like, leave out what I don’t, and become a better writer all around. Become a student of the craft and never stop learning. As we used to say in boxing, keep your mouth shut and your ears open. 

An Outlet for Hard Times

I always say in interviews that I’ve never written from a good place. I wrote many of my stories when I was feeling lost or overwhelmed. You’ve probably heard other writers say this, but it is very therapeutic and cathartic. It has helped me express on a page what I can’t in real life. And hey, it probably helps that I write dark stuff like horror. When everything falls apart, you’ll always have your passions to come back to. 

Persistence Pays Off

Most people involved with creative projects will tell you that there is no such thing as an overnight success. A lot of writers, musicians, actors, etc. hone their craft for years or even decades before anyone notices them. I’m big on working on something a little bit each day. I believe that you can’t work at something every day and not be in a better place a year from now, even if you can only do it an hour each night. For me, my first manuscript got rejected by a hundred agents. But I kept writing and found a way to build an audience and put my work out into the world. So whatever it is you want to do, keep doing it, and don’t let yourself or anyone else talk you out of it. 

The Friends You’ll Make 

This is one I never thought of. Writing is a very isolated activity. It consists of a lot of late nights, alone, just sitting in front of a keyboard typing away. But through it, I met Mar here at TBM Horror, my co-host Kevin from the “Midnight Terrors Podcast,” horror author Z.C. Krol, Marcus and Luke from the “Reviewed to Death Podcast,” and so many more awesome people who became my friends. I can’t tell you how cool it is to meet like-minded people with similar goals and interests as you.

Honey’s Final Thought

I say everyone should have a creative outlet. Not because you can turn it into a business or try to get famous from it. But if you can make some money from it, that’s a bonus. The coolest part about it, in my case writing, is that it’ll never leave you, unless you leave it. Even at the lowest points in my life, the worlds I’ve created and the characters I’ve brought to life are still there. And no one can ever take that away.