I Reread Goosebumps, and Was Shocked By What I Learnt As a Writer...
Discover the Surprising Writing Lessons Hidden Within the Pages of R.L. Stine's Classic Goosebumps Series
Growing up, there was one author whose words had the power to infiltrate the deepest recesses of my young and impressionable mind unleashing a horde of fearsome creatures. That author was none other than R.L. Stine, armed with the knowledge that “kids want to be scared”, he created a formula for how to hack your 12-year-old brain, and it’s so simple, it’s genius!
For many children of the 90s, R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series was a rite of passage. From evil living dolls to haunted houses, the stories were full of spooky twists and turns that kept readers on the edge of their seats. The series has sold over 350 million copies worldwide and has been translated into 32 different languages. Harry Potter is the only series to have sold more books. And yet, despite its success, I don’t think enough of us have taken the time to rationalize why the series so was wildly popular.
I think it’s important to understand from the perspective of an adult reader that, R.L. Stine's world is fueled by the concept of control. For the first time, someone had given children aged 7-12 a safe haven to explore their fears, with over 60 Goosebumps books offering a curated literary adventure to suit their distinct interests and imaginative curiosities. From ghosts to yeti, the series was a playground of themes and genres, empowering children to immerse themselves in their preferred world and take the reins on their own adventures.
It seemed to be working - Goosebumps books were hitting the shelves almost as fast as children were reading them.
In an interview with The Verge, Stine revealed his writing process, saying “In two weeks I can write a Goosebumps book. It's like factory work. Every day I get up at like 9:30-10, I sit down and I write 2,000 words, and then I quit.”
This level of productivity allowed Stine to create a vast and accessible universe for his readers.
The anthology format allowed for maximal accessibility while also giving readers the control to choose their own entry point and tailor their journey to their interests. This level of autonomy empowered readers, placing them at the heart of the storytelling process and encouraging a sense of participation that was unparalleled in children's literature. Through Goosebumps, Stine provided a space where children could delve into their darkest fears without fear of being overwhelmed.
Upon discovering the frenzied pace at which Mr. R.L. churned out the Goosebumps series, I couldn't help but wonder: Was it all just a stroke of luck, savvy marketing, frenzied work ethic, and the allure of those eye-catching cover designs that propelled these books to success?
Or was there something more sinister at work, some otherworldly force that drew readers into Stine's spine-tingling tales of monsters, ghosts, and other things that go bump in the night? As I delved deeper into the world of Goosebumps, I realized that the answer was far more complex than I could have ever imagined.
R.L. Stine has been called the Stephen King of children’s horror, and not without good reason. There’s the insane volume of sales, career longevity, and a shared ability to create one smash hit one after another, but before all that - What is the one thing R.L. Stine and Stephen King have in common?
Both King and Stine know what it means to hook a reader.
Let’s take a look at the opening lines of the international bestselling novel “It” by Stephen King:
”The Terror, which would not end for another twenty-eight years- if it ever did end - began, so far as I know or can tell with a boat make from a sheet of newspaper floating down a gutter swollen with rain.”
As mentioned in my previous article ‘The #1 Worst Mistake New Writers Make’, not having a strong opening hook that respects the reader’s time, is the easiest way to lose a reader.
In many of his works, King utilizes an opening hook that is so powerful, that readers cannot help but be drawn into the narrative. King's opening hooks have become legendary. He knows that the first sentence, the first paragraph, and the first page of a novel are crucial in capturing the reader's attention and setting the tone for the story to come. These hooks not only grab the reader's attention but also set the stage for the themes and motifs that will run throughout the novel. They are a testament to the importance of a strong beginning in storytelling, and they are a hallmark of King's masterful writing.
5 More Stephen King Opening Opening Lines:
"Salem's Lot": The opening sentence of this novel is both eerie and memorable: "Almost everyone thought the man and the boy were father and son."
"Pet Sematary": King's 1983 novel opens with a chilling epigraph that sets the tone for the story: "The road to the cemetery was packed with the cars of the mourners; the dead had invited them to come see the last of him."
"Misery": The opening sentence of this novel is short and to the point, but it packs a punch: "The last dying gasp of the old year was audible in every brake and holly bush in the country."
"The Stand": King's epic post-apocalyptic novel begins with a powerful and evocative sentence: "In the beginning, there was a plague."
"The Gunslinger": The first line of this novel sets the stage for the entire Dark Tower series: "The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed."
While Stephen King is undoubtedly a master of the opening hook, R.L. Stine's opening hooks in the Goosebumps series are equally as effective, if not more so, for several reasons.
Stine's target audience is primarily children and young adults, and his opening hooks are tailored to captivate and intrigue that demographic. He understands that younger readers may have a shorter attention span, and thus, his hooks are to the point, drawing the reader in immediately.
Stine's prolific output of Goosebumps books (over 60 in the original series alone) means that he has had ample opportunity to perfect his craft and experiment with different opening hooks. This has resulted in a varied and engaging collection of concise openers that have kept generations of young readers hooked on the series.
Let’s take a look at the opening lines of “The Werewolf of Fever Swamp”, By R.L. Stine:
”We moved to Florida during Christmas vacation. A week later, we heard the frightening howls in the swamp for the first time.”
This is a perfect opening hook for young readers! Stine establishes the setting and main character's situation succinctly while creating a sense of foreboding with the mention of "frightening howls in the swamp." The inclusion of the holiday season adds irony and unexpectedness, subverting expectations and creating tension.
Sure, “The Werewolf of Fever Swamp”, has a very King-esque opening line, but what about “Stay Out of The Basement”?
At first, while reading through my impulsively purchased Goosebumps books, I wasn’t convinced of my childhood enthusiasm - that they were impossible to put down from the first page. I’d had a good start with “The Werewolf of Fever Swamp” but as I flicked through the rest of my newly acquired novel, they didn’t share that same first-line punch.
Going back to “Stay Out of the Basement”, The first chapter opens with a son throwing a Frisby at his father, who abruptly responds “Not today. I’m busy.” Not exactly what I would consider a strong opening. It’s not foreboding, or ominous in any way that I could tell, nor does it make a promise of something to come like “the terror” in “It”. So why had I been so abruptly swept away into the suburban terrors of Goosebumps as a child?
Goosebumps caters to its readers, taking into account their age group and comprehension level. Stephen King's "The Stand" uses the line "In the beginning, there was a plague," which would be too complex for 8-year-olds. Similarly, while we can imagine the number 10 easily, larger numbers like billions become meaningless. Stine doesn't underestimate his readers' intelligence; instead, he translates complex themes into language children can understand, making it a more cerebral horror in nature for a child.
With that in mind, I revisited the first page of “Stay Out of The Basement”, and began to uncover a clever, intentionally psychological hook therein.
The scene begins when Casey, the child protagonist throws a Frisbee at his dad:
”Not today I’m busy,” Dr. Brewer said, and abruptly turned and loped into the house. The screen door slammed behind him.
In the quote, Dr. Brewer, a parent figure, abruptly dismisses his child's request and retreats into the house, leaving the child feeling rejected and ignored. This type of behavior from a parent can be traumatic for a child and can lead to feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and fear of rejection.
The fear of parental rejection is a common childhood fear. For the intended audience, that was the hook, and I thought it was genius.
Children often look to their parents for love, approval, and validation, and when they are denied these things, it can be very distressing. The quote highlights how a simple act of dismissal from a parent can leave a lasting impact on a child. Children may fear that their parents will reject them for not meeting their expectations or for making mistakes. This fear can manifest in various ways, such as reluctance to try new things, fear of expressing oneself, and seeking constant approval from authority figures.
The fear of parental rejection is a valid and haunting fear that can leave a lasting impact on a child's mental health and well-being. Stine’s writing is tailored to its audience, and what may seem like an insignificant moment to an adult can be a relatable and traumatic experience for a child. Every child has likely experienced the feeling of rejection at some point, and through the protagonist's eyes, they can relive and confront those fears in a controlled setting.
It felt like my brain was firing on all cylinders. I hadn’t expected much of my whimsical dive into Goosebumps, but there I was, knee-deep in analyzing what many consider books for kids, and I felt as though I’d learned more about writing from Goosebumps than I had from nearly all the creative writing courses I’d taken in university.
What other ways had R.L. Stine manifested dark magic in his many tomes of terror to create such a ferocious and compulsive need to read? It took a while, and some quiet contemplation while staring blankly at the ceiling but I feel as though I’ve stumbled across a few answers or rather rules for writing a Goosebumps story.
Goosebumps Rule #1 - It Must be Written in First Person Perspective
Writing a horror story in first person perspective is like giving your reader a front-row seat to the terror unfolding. By experiencing the story through the eyes of the main character, the reader can empathize with them and feel their fear and uncertainty as if it were their own.
This creates a deeper level of immersion, drawing the reader into the story and making it more difficult to put the book down. It also allows the author to play with the reader's expectations and emotions, building suspense and keeping the reader on edge. With every turn of the page, the reader is taken on a journey through the mind of the protagonist, witnessing every terrifying moment and feeling every chilling sensation.
Goosebumps Rule #2 - Every Chapter Must End in a Cliffhanger!
A study by BookBub found that readers are 50% more likely to finish a book if the chapter endings leave them hanging. This is because cliffhangers create a sense of suspense and anticipation that drives the reader to want to know what happens next.
The uncertainty of the situation also stimulates the brain, making the reading experience more engaging and exciting. Which is essential for retaining young readers. A cliffhanger at the end of a chapter can make a book feel more like a page-turner, increasing the likelihood that the reader will stay up late to finish the book.
Goosebumps Rule #3 - All Protagonists Must be Roughly 12 years old!
R.L. Stine knew his audience like the back of his hand and made his protagonists roughly 12 years old to appeal to middle-grade readers. This is a magical age where kids are navigating the choppy waters of adolescence and facing countless new challenges and experiences. Stine cleverly made the main characters the same age as his readers, so they could relate to and engage with his stories on a deeper level.
At 12 years old, children are still wide-eyed and curious about the world around them and are eager to explore new ideas and experiences. It's the perfect age to introduce them to the horror genre, because (to paraphrase R.L. Stine’s masterclass) it’s the last time in a person’s life that anything can be made to be scary in one way or another.
Goosebumps Rule #4 - All Scenarios must be Fantastical or Ridiculous in Nature
As previously mentioned the world of Goosebumps is a world centered around control. More specifically, about the young reader’s ability to set their own boundaries, control their own experience, and face their fears on their own terms in a safe way.
The horrific scenarios the protagonists faced always had a sense of fantasy about them. They carefully walked the line between terrifyingly relatable, and ridiculously ludicrous. By including fantastical elements, Stine showed care for his young readers. When they placed the book down, that was the end. The adventure was over, and the terrors had been faced.
The question I initially asked myself when purchasing a bundle of Goosebumps novel reprints was this:
What would it be like for me to return to a book series I loved as a kid?
The answer I assumed would be terribly disappointing, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. I came away with a handful of invaluable lessons, but better yet more questions and more rabbit holes to dive into head first.
For that reason, this is a topic I’ll return to in the future, but for now, I need to sit and think about all I’ve learned. From respect for the safety of the reader without holding their hand, to allowing circumstance or personal interaction to be the reader’s hook. There’s so much to digest and frankly, this feels silly to say, but I’m a little overwhelmed with everything I’ve learned, and their relation to one another.
And that’s where the genius of R.L. Stine shines. It’s in the way all these simple elements interact with one another, reinforce each other, and the militant consistency with which it’s implemented.
It’s no surprise that R.L. Stine has sold over 400 Million novels, with roughly 350 million of those being Goosebumps books. There’s a casual lighthearted intelligence to him and his literary voice. It comes through in a way that is accessible, and respectful, and there’s not an ounce of pretentiousness to be found in the way he approaches his books.
“Enjoy it. Have a good time writing….Completing your first draft shows you can do it. No matter what trouble you have later on, you know you can do it, no matter what.”
-R.L. Stine
Man I loved Goosebumps as a kid. Now that I'm an author, I understand and respect Stine's ability to stay disciplined in his craft to keep experimenting, writing, and pumping out hits.
Thanks for this one!