The origins of the horror genre go well back to old folktales featuring gruesome types of evil, demonic spirits, and witches. Whether you take inspiration from legendary horror authors such as Stephen King, H.P. Lovecraft, Edgar Allan Poe, Frank Behr. There are a lot of excellent resources for learning the art of writing scary, engaging horror stories and films – this article is one of them.
What Goes Into Crafting A Thrilling Horror Story?
Usually, standout horror novels attempt to trigger our fears by mixing the ordinary with the ugly, the strange, and the shocking. The majority of horror authors prefer positioning their protagonists in relatable settings like a camping trip, a hotel stay, a sleepover, a summer camp, or a new house. The familiarity with these places prepares the reader for impending horror.
Writing The Perfect Horror Novel: A Guide
If you’re interested in writing in the horror genre, keeping a few critical factors in mind is important. As with any creative writing, there are no established guidelines for the horror narrative. A superb horror story can be of any length and cover any topic. Here are some tips, tricks, and suggestions to help you start your horror author journey with a bang:
- Never stop reading. There is no better way to comprehend the characteristics of a good story than to read one yourself. King, Lovecraft, and Poe, often regarded as the masters of horror, have countless times stressed the importance of constant reading.
- Be limitless – Don’t restrict yourself. Numerous contemporary authors, like Neil Gaiman, Chuck Wendig, and Joyce Carol Oates, routinely incorporate elements of the horror genre into their other works. So, while it is important to eye on renowned horror authors, it is equally critical to explore the depth and uniqueness of other writers too.
- Be authentic. Similar to comedy, horror thrives on originality. While talking about the perfect way to write horror, Stephen King has said that the inclusion of his personal experiences and fears has played a significant role in making his work a success. So, the message is clear – get personal: You probably have what it takes to scare the readers.
- Well-wrought characters. Create characters whose character defects drive the plot forward. Good literature and film always feature well-developed people with desires, feelings, and a history. The more human you portray the characters in your tale or screenplay, the more the audience will relate to their mistakes and poor decisions.
- Ensure a one-of-a-kind experience. Though you can create an army of evil characters with googly eyes or place a chopped head in your main character’s bed, that doesn’t guarantee to frighten the audience truly.
Psychological horror books have the potential to get stuck in a reader’s mind for far longer than any gross or jump-scare moment. This is the major reason why projects like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project were massive hits.