1. Elements of a scary story
Courtesy of Jack Black

2. 4 elements of a scary story
Write all four down in your journal

3. You don’t have to do it all at once though….
For example, a story with a really scary setting might not need much action to make it scary. Likewise, a story with a frightening character, such as a flesh-eating monster, could be set in a common setting, such as a shopping mall, and still be super scary.

4. Delve Deeper
How might an author or filmmaker combine comedy, action, or horror to make a good scary story? Discuss how combining genres can lead to entertaining and scary stories

5. Cast of Characters
List characters from scary stories you like and write down what makes them scary.
Meet with a buddy and share 

6. Make them seem real
A good character is three-dimensional. This applies to both protagonists and antagonists. An author can achieve this in various ways, including listing their traits, telling their backgrounds, and describing their behaviors.

7. Story Starters
Jack Black gives us 4 story starters….. Do any of them inspire you? Pick one and try to continue it…. Just for a few minutes. Give it a whirl. I will play them again. 

8. Writer’s Block
Write down the tips Jack Black provides for dealing with this common problem!