I’m Paul, the creator of The Creepy School Bus and the Don’t Turn Around series — a horror universe told through texting stories. People ask me all the time: why texting stories? Out of all the ways to tell a story, why this format?
The truth is, I love writing texting stories because they make the characters come alive instantly. You can see them — their voices, their quirks, their fears — without needing long descriptions. It feels visual, almost cinematic, like you’re watching a movie unfold through your phone.
Writing Without a Camera
The hardest part — and also what I love most — is trying to convey action through dialogue. You can’t rely on paragraphs of description. Every message has to pull double duty: it reveals character and pushes the story forward. You have to make readers feel like they’re right there — in the room, in the moment — through words alone.
That challenge is what makes this format so addictive. Every text becomes a shot. Every pause becomes suspense.
Starting With the Ending
When I write, I usually start with the ending — especially the twist. I think that’s the most important part of any story. Once I know how it ends, I can work backward and build everything toward that moment.
Building a Horror Universe
In Don’t Turn Around, I try to appeal to everyone — kids, teens, adults — by creating characters that feel real but unique. That’s how people like Nancy James, The Claw, and Magi came to life. It’s a little like the Marvel Universe, but with horror. Every story connects somehow, and every character has their own secrets.
Getting to the Good Stuff Fast
One thing I’ve learned: skip the exposition. In texting stories, you’ve got seconds to hook someone. So I start right in the middle of something — an argument, a mistake, a strange message. The quicker you pull readers in, the faster they start to care.
Writing texting stories keeps me sharp. It forces me to focus on what matters: character, emotion, and tension. And when it works — when someone says they felt like they were part of the conversation — that’s the best feeling in the world.