Horror literature is endlessly fascinating. Scary movies and horror stories have always been an interest of mine, only recently have I begun writing my own short stories.
Crafting effective horror is one of the most rewarding ways for a writer to have a lasting impact with their writing because people forget what you said but not how you made them feel.
Writing horror is an entirely different game from enjoying horror, it’s quite a tricky genre to get just right.
Luckily, there are three main steps you can use to write your own horror that I have found valuable.
1. Mastering Fear Psychology
To write effective horror you must understand what makes someone fearful or creeped out.
Various human fears are universal such as the fear of death. Many if not all of the fears we have goes back to the idea that humans hate the unknown.
A mystery or unanswered question greatly unnerves a person.
So if you write a scenario that your audience does not know enough about there will be an unease and even a fear there already.
This idea is valuable when you’re trying to creep out your audience.
We think something is creepy when we don’t know whether it is a threat or not and thus we are unnerved.
For example, a doll with an odd expression that appeared on your bed is neither a threat nor a safe situation, so our brain defaults to creepy.
Using fear of the unknown writing horror becomes easier.
Creating Relatable Characters with Vulnerabilities
The reader feels fear for a character if they are genuinely invested in the character as a person.
Thus, you must establish your characters in your writing as relatable.
The best way to do this is to show their vulnerabilities.
Vulnerabilities in a character allow the reader to see them as a person, as a real human being going through this awful scenario.
Relatability is a key to effective horror, make your characters relatable.
Relatable characters aren’t necessarily likable either, this is important, your audience doesn’t have to believe the same things as your characters but they do have to relate to them.
Tapping into Primal Fears for Emotional Resonance
Writing is one of the hardest mediums to elicit a fear response.
You don’t have the soundtrack of scary movie jumpscares, nor the specific imagery of the film.
However, you do have the power of attention.
In a movie, the director can point at something but it’s up to the audience to interpret that thing as scary, funny, or any other emotion.
Writing is a little different.
A writer can point at an object and show you how a character responds to it which, because the character is relatable, the reader will inherently feel that fear.
The best means of scaring your audience is tapping into primal fears.
Primal fears can be seen as things that would scare the shit out of our long-dead hunter-gatherer relatives.
Those were hard folks but some things even scared them, which are still in our genes to this day.
Things like sharp teeth, unknown sounds, or being in a vulnerable position are primal fears that modern-day horror taps into.
The most obvious of which can be seen in Jurassic Park.
Jurassic Park is all about bigger predators than us with less sense for destruction then we do, which results in an extremely terrifying conflict between the unpredictability of nature with the smarts of human beings.
Tap into primal fears to really disturb your readers.
2. Building Atmospheric Intensity
The best horror stories are based on their gripping premise with unique concepts.
Having a premise that excites you just thinking about all the ways a story based on that concept could branch from is a sure-fire way to create scary stories.
Here are some interesting premises from popular horror;
- A creature of some sort becomes present and if you look at it you kill yourself instantly. BirdBox
- Humans have reincarnated history’s deadliest predators and put them in cages that are hacked into. Jurassic Park
- Upon a family heading to an isolated hotel for the winter haunted by the ghosts of the hotel’s past, the father enacts the violence of the hotel’s history. The Shining
Each of these premises creates interesting stories that are bound to happen when characters become involved.
Form an exciting premise with unique concepts.
Develop Evocative Settings for Heightened Suspense
The setting of your horror story is of great importance to the ambiance of your tale.
The feeling your readers get when they imagine your setting should be a deep sense of unease.
This should be done in all of your writing, your setting NEEDS to evoke strong emotions in your audience, use it well.
Vivid Language and Pacing
The way you tell your story has a massive impact on your reader’s emotional experience.
You must be wary of the way you want to sound when your audience is reading.
Do you want them to feel as if a bard in the early 16th century is spinning a tale?
or
An advanced robot of the year 3027 speaks of the downfall of the human race?
The way you tell your story, your prose, greatly affects the vibes you give your readers.
Similarly, the rate at which you reveal information to your audience creates emotions within them as well.
Short, sharp sentences create a rushed feeling whereas long drawn-out sentences slow your reader down and unnerves them.
Be careful of how you are telling your story.
3. Innovative Techniques for Lasting Horror
There are three major techniques you can use to create your lasting horror tales;
Playing with Fear Through Effective Plot Devices Incorporating strategic plot devices adds layers to your horror narrative. Explore twists, unexpected turns, and unconventional elements to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Exploring Psychological Depths for Impact Delve into the minds of your characters, unearthing deep-seated fears and unsettling thoughts. By tapping into psychological horror, you create a more profound and lasting impact on your audience.
Crafting Unforgettable Endings for a Lingering, Haunting Experience The conclusion is crucial in horror. Craft endings that resonate, leaving readers haunted and contemplative. Whether it’s a shocking revelation or an open-ended resolution, aim for an unforgettable and lingering experience.
In Conclusion. . .
As we conclude our journey into crafting unforgettable horror, remember the core ideas:
- Fear psychology,
- Atmospheric intensity
- Innovative techniques.
Reflect on the significance of characters, settings, language, and pacing in sculpting a compelling narrative that chills to the bone.
To fellow writers venturing into the realm of horror, the path is as diverse as the shadows themselves.
Embrace experimentation, explore the darker corners, and discover your unique voice. The horror genre thrives on individuality.
These narratives, etched with fear and suspense, possess a timeless allure.
A shiver-inducing tale lingers, echoing in the minds of readers, a testament to the enduring and captivating nature of the horror genre.
Happy crafting!
Check out this post about how to write tension and keep your readers interested;
- I Wrote Every Day on Medium for 100 days. Here’s What I Learned
- The Subtle Power of Unseen Horror
- Believable Worldbuilding: Tips for Crafting Fictional Worlds
- Exploration Through Writing: How to Express Yourself Writing
- The Art of Subtext: Creating Meaning Through the Hidden
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