How Pulp Writing Helps Improve Horror

Pulp stories were stories of mystery, fantasy, horror and erotica that were published in the pulp magazines. These magazines were called pulp, often derisively, because they were printed on cheap rough paper rather than the expensive paper of bigger magazines. The authors were generally paid around a penny a word and this gave way to long stories with loads of detail.

As with most things, pulps fell out of fashion and were replaced by men’s magazines like Esquire, Penthouse, etc. that paid for stories to fill the pages between nude models. Some big names made their rounds in Men’s magazines, like Stephen King; however, pulp writers later became cult figures that are still popular today. Names like Lovecraft, Burroughs, and Howard are synonymous with epic writing.

Pulp writing, as it were, is how I attack each story that I write. I have found it to be a useful medium for writing books quickly and efficiently. The process is relatively straightforward.

Generally, you set the stage for the idea of the story. You introduce your characters, your villain and you throw in detail that pertains to the story itself. Once you have this setup, you continue to write and push yourself towards a word goal for each chapter. Some pulp novels were set in serial form with each issue bringing a chapter of the book or a snippet of the book.

A fun way to exercise this is to spend each day writing a chapter of the book in your own version of serialising your novel. The days add up and so do the chapters, therefore building the book up to the way you want it.

However, since I write only novelettes and novellas, I think that the setup works well enough to extend for a day or two itself.

On average, I’d say try to get in 5-6,000 words a day if you’re working on a novella. For a novelette, try closer to 7-8,000 words. The words should all pertain to the storyline of the work rather than trying to expand the word count, that’s for later if you’re so inclined.

I personally like to write fast-paced books that aren’t weighed down by colorful descriptions of everyday items or characteristics. My plots are character-driven and the action starts on the first page. I put out around 3-4 books a month for the readers to devour in droves. You don’t necessarily need to write like me, but the process could be helpful in pushing you to write the next killer story, regardless of detail.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t describe anything, but rather, you should focus on putting detail into the interesting parts of the book. Expand on the death scenes, the thoughts of the characters, the sex scenes or the climax of the book. Write fast and be sure to take a ten-minute break between chapters. When you take a break, try to stay in the mindset of the characters or storyline.

If you don’t like the way something is happening or if you’re worried the writing isn’t interesting enough, do a 180 and kill someone you like. If you think the story is predictable, throw a wrench in the plans and go a different route. Just never stop focusing on making the book the way you want it. Pulps were filled with stories by writers who wrote what they wanted to read and never stopped, regardless if they didn’t sell.

Once you finish your book or story, give it a once-over in editing, take this time to add in any details that you think might expand it to a better point than you originally intended. Be sure to catch any spelling or punctuation errors that might have slipped by the first time.

After this editing and expanding, slap a good cover on it. The cover should be something clean, creative and intriguing. Covers sell books. It’s an age-old secret that’s widely known. Check out the pulps if you get a chance, you’ll see the covers were incredible despite the low-quality of the books themselves. I’m not saying spend a fortune on a cover, but there are many spectacular artists plying their trade and putting together covers that will bring your pulpy masterpieces to life!

Next thing to do is for you to publish the book for the world to see. Then, without further ado, start writing the next one. The fun thing about pulps is that the writers continued to write regardless of the effect of the first one, their lives depended on chasing those paltry sums to pay for their existence and while you may not have the same living circumstances, you should treat pulp writing as an experience of need. Write what you like, publish, and repeat; never stop trying to put out the next big thing.

When I wrote erotica, I did the same thing as pulp writers did back in the 20s and 30s.

Write stories, publish, and start the next thing. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

Soon, you’ll have a massive catalogue of works for readers to check out and the best part? You’ll never run out of ideas because you instantly jump into the next one! Within time, you’ll become a factory of content, putting out books like there’s no tomorrow, and the fans will come running to see what your next work is.

There is a saying, “Quality vs. Quantity.” Personally, I think anyone who pushes themselves to write and write and write will create absolute gems, especially as time goes by. Pulp stories weren’t Shakespeare, but they were fun, intriguing, and they made their authors legendary.

You don’t have to shoot for legend, just shoot for the best you can give, and before you know it, your works will speak volumes for themselves.

Extreme Horror (or Splatterpunk, if you will) is the best kind of genre to write in a pulpy style. The plots are driven, the characters born to die, and the gore can never be overstated. The goal is to overwhelm the reader, push them to their limit and give them something to root for!

You might not be writing literary merit, but you’re writing fanfare, and everyone loves to be chilled, thrilled and engaged. Just remember the process and push yourself to succeed. You’re writing pulp now.

Oh, and don’t forget, life’s too short to not write a sequel!

ABOUT JERRY:

Jerry Blaze is an award-winning author of Horror and Bizarro fiction.

After achieving success in the erotic market, Jerry decided to undertake Extreme Horror/Splatterpunk/Bizarro fiction writing and released several books. Some of his books have been bestsellers on Amazon. He has been awarded the 2025 Golden Wizard Book Prize and the Literary Titan award.

Jerry is a fan of Grindhouse and exploitation films from the 70s and 80s, often modeling his work on them. He currently lives in the American Midwest, but travels often to get inspiration or to run away from angry mobs.