I love horror! Reading, writing, watching. The more scared I am, the better.
If, like me, you relish the spine-tingling, heart-pounding experience of writing horror, this guide is here to help plunge your readers into the depths of fear. Muahahaha!
Establishing Atmosphere
The cornerstone of effective horror lies in its atmosphere. Use evocative language to set the scene. And as always, engage all five senses.
If you're writing a silent scene, make it a creepy silence. The kind of silence where it feels like someone is watching you. If you're describing noises, make the verbs and adjectives match the sinister tone of your story. Maybe a squeaky door "screams" when it opens. Footsteps pound.
Side note: I have a theory that wet things are creepier than dry things. Go watch Stranger Things season 4 and tell me Vecna would be scarier if he wasn't making such wet noises all the time! That's why my latest story, "Don't You Cry," has a main character with wet, hacking coughs.
Subverting Expectations
Horror thrives on unpredictability. Twists are a great way to keep your audience on their toes.
How do you write a twist? We've discussed this before. James Scott Bell, author of Plot & Structure, has a section on writing twists. Basically:
As you near the end of your story, quickly write down 10 alternative endings/scenes to the one you probably have in mind.
After a day or two, cull the list. Keep the top 4, but add complexity.
Choose which one would make the best twist.
Go back through your story and plant clues about the twist here and there.
Finding the Right Pace
Take a page out of Stephen King's Pet Sematary for a terrifying slow burn.
On the flip side, Joe Hill's Heart-Shaped Box wastes no time in starting the thrills 'n chills, then continues at a relentless burn.
There is no "right" pace for a horror story. Just pick the pace that will best fit your story.
Tapping Into Universal Fears
Elevate your horror and connect with readers by tapping into fears that transcend cultural boundaries.
Fear of the unknown, loss, and isolation are a few themes that resonate universally. Can you name some others?
Letting Your Audience's Imagination Breathe
In horror, less is often more. There's a reason why Cloverfield barely showed its monster, and Bird Box not at all. Letting your audience fill in the blanks will be more satisfying for them overall.
Allow your readers' imaginations to run wild by leaving certain details shrouded in mystery. Provide subtle hints and allow the fear of the unknown to creep into their minds. This ties back into creating atmosphere.
Think about some classic horror films and stories. They often rely on suspense and the power of suggestion rather than graphic depictions of horror. (There is a time and place for graphic descriptions of horror, of course. My upcoming book, Sorority Zombies in Space!, has plenty of 'em.)
Psycho is a prime example; its famous shower scene is terrifying not because of what we see, but because of what we imagine.
Even the best slasher films don't necessarily go overboard on the blood and guts. Think about the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which horrified audiences and created a lasting reputation without relying on gore.
I love horror. (Did I mention?) I could—and maybe will—write a separate post on the fun of writing and reading extreme horror, too.
But whether you love horror like me or are interested in experimenting, I hope this post provided some tips!
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