I am one of those horror story readers who will stare at the story for a long time before mustering the courage to read it.
Now I can imagine what state of mind the writer will be in to produce such a horrific piece. If you are a writer, consider incorporating darker themes into your work, especially if you enjoy writing speculative fiction.
Now, we will explain how to write a horror story to you. This can be your next best-selling thing if you read with rapt attention. Horror is thriving now more than romance!
What is the Horror Genre?
Horror is a genre intended to make the audience feel fear, dread, disgust, and unease.
Horror films focus on powerful emotions by depicting the uncomfortable and horrific, as opposed to thrillers, which prioritize mystery and suspense.
The horror genre is built upon ancient myths and stories about monsters, malevolent spirits, the afterlife, and the occult. The English ballad Beowulf, Homer’s Odyssey, and Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex are some of the oldest known horror stories.
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What are the Types of Horror Stories?
- Paranormal horror – Paranormal horror refers to unexplained happenings that violate natural laws.
- Body horror – Graphic depictions of gore and mutilation of the body.
- Supernatural horror – Stories concerning supernatural dread frequently include undefinable beings, ghosts, demons, cursed relics, and paranormal activity.
- Monster horror – Monster horror stories revolve around horrific monsters and creatures such as vampires, werewolves, zombies, and aliens.
- Zombie horror – Stories about zombies or zombie apocalypse scenarios.
- Cosmic horror – Threats from wicked cosmic entities that humans don’t understand.
- Psychological horror – Terror arising from the mind, perception, and sanity of characters.
- Survival horror – In survival horror, people are stranded in an isolated place and must flee a deadly menace.
- Slasher horror – Serial killers use horrific ways to stalk and kill their victims.
While not limited to these genres, horror novels are among the most popular.
What are the Characteristics of a Good Horror Story?
Strong tone and mood: The setting, words, and visuals immediately establish a tense, unpleasant, and horrifying atmosphere.
Tension and suspense: Leaving spectators wondering what will happen next. Building suspense with mystery and thrill.
Vulnerable characters: Characters who are sympathetic persons who the spectator can empathize with and be concerned about as danger approaches.
Creative monsters and villains: Unique, terrifying opponents who provide a genuine threat without coming across as cheesy or artificial.
The blurring of reality makes it impossible to determine what is genuine and what is not, leaving the viewer wondering what is going on.
The purpose of gradual reveal is to withhold just enough information to pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading in search of solutions.
Images intended to shock, repel, or instill terror are considered disturbing imagery. This style of picture includes horrific death scenes.
Dread themes include darkness, pain, illness, loneliness, craziness, and death, all of which are prevalent human anxieties and phobias.
Shocking twists are revelations that cause the plot to take an unexpected turn.
Stephen King is a master of horror for a reason. When you read his book, you will notice that he expertly covers all of these qualities.
What Are Some Common Horror Themes?
These are some of the themes that have been popular over the years;
The haunted house, Serial killers, Cursed objects, Man-eating monsters, Evil children, Zombies, Torture devices, Creepy small towns and basement, Demonic possession, Mad scientists, Ancient curses, Sinister cults, Haunted asylums, Ghost ships/vehicles, Evil dolls/toys, Ancient burial grounds, etc.
12 Tips for Writing a Horror Story
1.Read Other Horror Stories
Read a plethora of previously published works in the genre you intend to write in. Discover how horror literary greats such as Shirley Jackson, Clive Barker, and Stephen King created suspense, atmosphere, and terror.
Take notes on excellent techniques that you could use in your own horror stories. Being aware of what works will help you avoid bland cliches.
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2.Ensure your Setting Creates the Mood
Your descriptions of the place and setting establish an eerie tone from the first page. Use your eyes, ears, nose, and other senses to create an ominous and frightful atmosphere.
3.Isolation
Placing characters in inaccessible or isolated environments can make them feel more vulnerable to paranormal or psychological threats. Give the environment its personality, one that interacts with and has a sinister influence on the characters.
4.Incorporate Real-World Horror and Mortal Peril
While typical real-world catastrophes have a greater impact, monsters can nonetheless be terrifying. Stephen King frequently combines psychological issues such as broken families, abuse, addiction, and loss with supernatural elements to ground the horror.
Even though they are heightened in fiction, the most frightening stories incorporate real-world threats. Readers are more disturbed by visceral, real-life tragedies because they appear to be more likely to occur than fanciful beings.
5.Find out what scares you
Consider your own darkest anxieties and fears. What genuinely scares you? Incorporating personal anxiety into your horror writing helps heighten the suspense. For example, you could use your fear of going insane to create stories about characters who lose their sense of reality or become insane.
Draw inspiration from your nightmares, both awake and sleeping, to delve deeper into your psyche.
This is another tip to write a terrifying horror story.
6.Complete Your Characters
Poor character development can ruin an otherwise terrifying plot. For the story to have true depth, the spectator must be invested in the characters’ outcomes. Make time to develop distinct, likable personas.
Give each character unique motives, characteristics, advantages, and weaknesses. Give them the look of actual people so that the spectator is invested in their survival while they face awful events.
7.Put it in real-life context
While horror stories may contain other world elements, they have a greater impact when set in a credible real-world environment. Allow your characters to react naturally, with all of the shock, uncertainty, and denial that real people would have.
The terrifying impression is heightened when the bizarre is juxtaposed with the realities of daily existence. Reducing the number of supernatural elements in your narrative makes it more credible, increasing the suspense.
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8.Personalize the Stakes
Horror stories are simple to dismiss, but when individuals we care about are in danger, we get absorbed in their situation. Establish emotional links between characters early on so that we can truly feel sorry for them later.
Threats may attempt to exploit their shortcomings or qualities in some way. Personalized stakes provide depth and intensity to a horror story.
9. Joyful Moments Increase the Tension
Horror is traditionally a depressing genre, but you can highlight the darkest portions of your story by incorporating moments of levity, optimism, or genuine human interactions. Show characters, after a traumatic occurrence, clinging to hope or positive memories to keep themselves emotionally afloat.
Before presenting the next surprise or threat, brief periods of peace appear to urge the reader to relax.
10.Maintain the secret of the Antagonist
The unknown is the cause of the most terror. Give only hints about the nature and origin of supernatural entities or villains in your story. Limit their visibility to brief, shadowy appearances.
The less readers comprehend the situation, the more something truly terrible will loom large in their imaginations. Let the audience’s greatest worries fill up the gaps in their ideas.
11.Jumpscares Do Not Make a Horror Story
Cheap jump scares with unexpected movements or loud noises are insufficient to build a gripping story. When utilized wisely, these can provide a little shock value every now and then.
Real dread is created by keeping the atmosphere tense, putting characters in danger, and capitalizing on our primordial fears. Readers will be left with an unnerving sensation of psychological dread long after the first impact of a jump scare has passed. Never use them as a crutch.
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Plot Structure of Horror Stories
Act 1: Setting Up the Situation
The Hidden Monster: Strange occurrences and warning indications indicate the presence of a terrifying threat. Make the audience wonder.
Presenting the characters: Describe the persons, their connections, and any vulnerabilities or anxieties that could be exploited against them later. Make sure they are engaging to the audience.
The Inciting Incident: An occurrence that starts the conflict and leads the heroes into dangerous situations or the threat’s path. The point beyond which no return is possible.
Monster’s first appearance with the characters confirms its terrifying nature or skills. Keeps surprises until a later time.
Act 2: Rising Tension
The Turning Point: An event that escalates the peril and leaves the characters vulnerable to the monster/threat at the halfway point. Raises the stakes.
The Pursuit: The opponent is currently pursuing the heroes extremely aggressively. It gives out a constant sensation of danger as the threat approaches.
First Failed Confrontation: The First Failed Confrontation occurs when a hero or heroes seek to stop a threat but are unable to do so due to a variety of factors. Makes them more desperate.
All Is Lost – This is a horrifying period in the story where the heroes appear lost and powerless. The threat will prevail.
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Act 3: The Climax
Victory: The heroes get together, resolve their disagreements, and figure out how to finally defeat the menace.
Final Confrontation: The heroes must confront and defeat the menace, or face the repercussions of their heroic failure.
Death: The demise, usually of the threat itself. To make for a depressing ending, one or more characters may die, or there may be some form of psychological death.
The Fallout: Explain how the characters and the planet as a whole were affected and transformed. Evil might still lurk, awaiting a sequel.
Conclusion
Even if a horror story has more than simply these elements, I hope this inspires you to start writing your own horror story.
References
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- Masterclass -how to write a horror story examples
