One cannot help but think about the tremendous genre horror is and what are the secret keys that make it immensely interesting. What is the element that gives that intense jump scare? And despite all the scariness, people tend to enjoy it a lot and continue to read it, especially in the darkest moments of the night. One of the significant aspects of this genre is how bad things can happen to good people. Usually, some ordinary character is moved by a situation all of a sudden that turns their life upside down.
The story depends heavily on a life and death situation connected with the vitality of destroying the monster or the evil force.
At times the power gap between the protagonist and the evil force is quite deep, and the former has to work exceptionally hard to defeat the opposing party. Furthermore, it sometimes results in a scenario where they must fight until their last breath or give it up completely. Finally, and most importantly, it usually starts in a highly secluded place or claustrophobic environment.
Mandatory Parts
Certain obligatory factors give the foundation to a horror story. A reader intuitively expects these things to be present. And you wouldn’t want to let down their expectations. So, for example, it is important to add certain critical decisions, discoveries, and events that will enable the protagonist to start their journey and move forward. Such conventions are mandatory; otherwise, your story would miss that particular essence of the horror genre.
A Reasonable Monster
An antagonist or a monster is a mandatory part of the story. They are something that is not easy to be reasoned with easily. It can be a supernatural creature or a hideous psychopath that is exceptionally violent, turning people’s lives into a nightmare. They are powerful and not so easy to take down. However, it is the very element that adds challenge to the story. It leads to the massive war likely to occur in the story, usually at the end, moving to the final result.
A Past Mistake
The past can be haunting. A horror genre is vastly based on the characters having a specific background that has led to the present, disordered situation. Sometimes the person is directly responsible for bringing out the monster; other times, a past crime or mistake comes back to haunt and mess up the people’s lives.
Takeaway
There are certain factors that, if absent, can turn a horror story quite dull. Moreover, you always don’t have to go with a ghost; it can also be an alien, psychopath, or an evil robot trying to take over the world. Horror is one of the most famous genres because of its unique nature. And it does have the power to keep the readers engaged until the last page and want more. If you are seeking some great horror story, it is time you give Casino Cursed by Frank Behr a read. A fantastic horror story about two people who inherit an off-based casino, only to realize that it is haunted.