Finding a way into a challenging topic: Writing about something scary
“Look, there’s a spider!”
If someone says that to you, would you jump away? Or lean in closer?
Spiders elicit widely varying emotional responses—appealing to some and appalling others—which makes writing about them a fascinating task.
With such wide-ranging reactions, how do you reach readers to teach them about these marvellous creatures without scaring them away?
Here are some tried and true tricks:
- Zoom in! Think of your scary, spooky subject as a character. Who are you writing about? What are their goals? Fears?
- Put your character in a scene (using facts!) – what are they doing, where…?
- Give your character a social setting – with whom are they interacting, how and why?
- Find your hook – What about your subject is most fascinating?
Believe it or not, you can apply these questions to your nonfiction writing and research. Let’s take a look at these examples that are as different as they are similar.
Jumper: A Day in the Life of a Backyard Jumping Spider
by Jessica Lanan (Roaring Brook Press, 2023)
This story uses two key tactics to engage readers. First, it elicits curiosity and empathy by asking “What if?” questions to help readers imagine being a spider and how their lives parallel the main character’s life.
Second, the spider is written as a charming main character. She has a name—Jumper—a mission, and superpowers to help her reach her goals. As readers get to know this personality-filled character, their sense of connection grows.
Appeals to readers who: like to imagine; enjoy getting to know a character up-close.
The Secret World of Spiderwebs by Jan Beccalon and Namasri Niumim (Thames & Hudson Ltd., 2025)
To get immediate buy-in, this story focuses on one of the most fascinating elements of spiders: their webs. This hook is beautiful, not scary, which helps draw in readers who might not reach for a book on spiders.
The book then treats each type of spider as a character: describing the setting, names, and social interactions (hunting, living with others, making and repairing their homes and traps) that make each spider inherently fascinating. These details help explain the type of web each spider weaves.
Appeals to readers who: like to learn deeply on a topic; enjoy comparing different experiences.
The Pet to Get: Spider: Everything You Need to Know About Cool and Unusual Pets by Rob Colson (Wayland, 2017)
This book dives deep into details. Multiple small sections on each page address diverse topics (e.g., types of spiders, how to care for them, their life cycle, and the best homes and food) plus large, detailed photos. With so much to learn, readers will quickly move from hesitation to fascination.
Appeals to readers who: want a pet spider; like to get up close with the details of crawly creatures.
Spiders: The Ultimate Predators by Stephen Dalton (Firefly Books, 2008)
In this book, spiders are organized by hunting style. The text is heavy on facts, uses a more scientific voice, and reads a little bit like an extended encyclopedia article. Even still, the spiders are presented as characters (albeit scientific ones) who exist in their specific worlds with their specific goals. Best of all, the photographic images of the spiders that illustrate the text are surprisingly playful, energetic, and beautiful. Together, the images and text show spiders as individuals alive and trying to survive in their environments, while inviting readers to look closely and make their own discoveries.
Appeals to readers who: like straight forward facts and real-life pictures, and who want to spend time learning about spiders without having to follow a storyline.
SCIENCE COMICS: Spiders Worldwide Webs by Tait Howard (First Second NY, 2021)
Talk about storylines! This graphic novel follows two kids turned spider-sized who go on an unexpected adventure through the world of spiders. Using fact-filled humor, illustrations, and easy-to-follow text, this story covers everything you might want to know about spiders. Like, did you know they don’t breathe through their mouths? They breathe through special organs called book lungs! (And when you see the illustrations, you’ll know why they’re called that.) This book would probably technically fall in the informational fiction (vs nonfiction) category since there is, you know, a shrink ray and a talking spider in a tiny lab coat.
Appeals to readers who: learn visually and/or like when facts are woven into a good story.
Activity
Now it’s your turn. What scary topic or creature interests you? Make an idea web about your creature—what are its character traits, what setting does it inhabit, what is its social world?—and then write about it.
Bios
Alexandra Millarhouse (she/they) is a researcher, science communication professional, and writer focused on the intersection of nature, science, and self. Her nonfiction picture book, THE ANIMAL QUEENDOM, comes out in Jan 19, 2027 with Simon & Schuster. Living in Vermont, Alexandra is often tracking wildlife across a cemetery, or sitting by the water with a sketchbook. Visit them online at https://www.foxandindigo.com/
Kamilla Milligan is a kidlit writer who explores themes of home, connection with nature, and cultural diversity in her stories. Kamilla has lived in Canada, the southern US, and Russia, and applies her PhD in education to her work in equity and human rights. Outside of reading, Kamilla enjoys gardening, fibre projects, and nature walks. Visit Kamilla online at http://kamillamilligan.com/
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