Writing Horror
On Monday, I started my first horror novel. Today, I've written five chapters.
It's called PHOBIA, and it deals with extreme fears, a serial killer with a grudge, and a group of teenagers in a cabin in the woods. It's more psychological horror than anything else...with a scary twist.
I've written short horror stories before - dealing with evil twins, serial killers, curses, and creepy old castles - but never a full-length novel.
I'm excited for the challenge! Before I wrote the novel, I did a lot of research into writing horror, and I thought I'd share some of the tips that I learned:
1. Use Your Own Fears
A great horror novel inspires fear in the reader, too! As a writer, using your own personal fears can make the story feel more alive.
The main character in my novel, Jenna Lewis, is terrified of spiders. She has arachnophobia, which is the official term. Like me, I don't care for spiders, either! Another character, Alexander McGuire, has a social phobia. I also suffer from extreme anxiety.
To increase how relatable the characters are, it can be helpful to ask yourself what you fear the most - and then find a way to incorporate it into your story.
2. Perfect Your Atmosphere
To do this, you need to understand what horror story you're writing. Is it a thriller kind of horror, with psychological fears? Is it gory, with lots of blood and serial killers? Does it feature the supernatural, like vampires, werewolves, or demons?
Once you've found out, set the scene. If you want to write about a serial killer, set it in a camp or a cabin. If you're writing about vampires, feature a cemetery or a crypt. Your setting needs to be creepy and uncomfortable to make an impact on your reader.
3. Start Slow and Increase Tension
You could open your story with a gruesome murder if that's your style. But I prefer a slow, gradual start to my horror - especially since I'm writing a psychological horror story.
With each chapter, tension slowly increases, picking up for the big murder. Then, the survivors realize they also have a target on their backs. When it does happen, it'll shock the reader and inspire them to keep going to find out more - and who will live and die.
4. Focus on Character Building
As with any great story, relatable, interesting characters are a necessary component. It's not enough to have a serial killer in your story. You need to have great characters that an audience can root for.
To do that, you need to delve deep into each character. What are their personalities like? Positive and negative traits? What are their biggest fears, desires, and dislikes? Use it all against them. The characters must be tormented and pushed to confront what scares them the most.
5. Create Clear Goals
This coincides with the point above. What goals do your characters have? Is it survival - wanting to live while being hunted by a serial killer? Protecting their loved ones? Solving an old mystery or learning about the curse?
Clear, defined goals give the characters more depth, and give the reader a better understanding of your story.
6. Carefully Decide Your Point-of-View
Point-of-view (POV) can make or a break your story - especially horror. I decided to use a first person POV. The story is told by Jenna at all times. This makes the story more intimate.
Plus, you can describe how the character is feeling more adequately. Shaking, a pounding heart, headaches...my character suffers all of it because of her fear of spiders. But you can use a third-person POV, too. It really depends on how well it serves your story.
7. Plot Twist?
I love a good plot twist, but employing one in your story is personal choice. In the end, will the killer be revealed to be one of the main characters all along? Or will it be revealed earlier, with a big showdown at the end of the novel?
It's up to you. Remember, small plot twists that are subtle can be just as effective at instilling fear than big plot twists at the end.
8. Ask Yourselves These Questions...
What does my character/group of characters want?
What will they do to get it?
What do they fear the most in life?
What obstacles will they have to overcome?
How will they grow/evolve by the end of the story?
How will my main characters defeat the adversary? (Every villain has a weak spot - even monsters.)
What story am I trying to tell, and what message?
Happy Horror Writing! I hope you frighten many, many people. 😃
As always, thanks for reading! Back to my novel now.
Sincerely,
Dana
It's called PHOBIA, and it deals with extreme fears, a serial killer with a grudge, and a group of teenagers in a cabin in the woods. It's more psychological horror than anything else...with a scary twist.
I've written short horror stories before - dealing with evil twins, serial killers, curses, and creepy old castles - but never a full-length novel.
I'm excited for the challenge! Before I wrote the novel, I did a lot of research into writing horror, and I thought I'd share some of the tips that I learned:
1. Use Your Own Fears
A great horror novel inspires fear in the reader, too! As a writer, using your own personal fears can make the story feel more alive.
The main character in my novel, Jenna Lewis, is terrified of spiders. She has arachnophobia, which is the official term. Like me, I don't care for spiders, either! Another character, Alexander McGuire, has a social phobia. I also suffer from extreme anxiety.
To increase how relatable the characters are, it can be helpful to ask yourself what you fear the most - and then find a way to incorporate it into your story.
2. Perfect Your Atmosphere
To do this, you need to understand what horror story you're writing. Is it a thriller kind of horror, with psychological fears? Is it gory, with lots of blood and serial killers? Does it feature the supernatural, like vampires, werewolves, or demons?
Once you've found out, set the scene. If you want to write about a serial killer, set it in a camp or a cabin. If you're writing about vampires, feature a cemetery or a crypt. Your setting needs to be creepy and uncomfortable to make an impact on your reader.
3. Start Slow and Increase Tension
You could open your story with a gruesome murder if that's your style. But I prefer a slow, gradual start to my horror - especially since I'm writing a psychological horror story.
With each chapter, tension slowly increases, picking up for the big murder. Then, the survivors realize they also have a target on their backs. When it does happen, it'll shock the reader and inspire them to keep going to find out more - and who will live and die.
4. Focus on Character Building
As with any great story, relatable, interesting characters are a necessary component. It's not enough to have a serial killer in your story. You need to have great characters that an audience can root for.
To do that, you need to delve deep into each character. What are their personalities like? Positive and negative traits? What are their biggest fears, desires, and dislikes? Use it all against them. The characters must be tormented and pushed to confront what scares them the most.
5. Create Clear Goals
This coincides with the point above. What goals do your characters have? Is it survival - wanting to live while being hunted by a serial killer? Protecting their loved ones? Solving an old mystery or learning about the curse?
Clear, defined goals give the characters more depth, and give the reader a better understanding of your story.
6. Carefully Decide Your Point-of-View
Point-of-view (POV) can make or a break your story - especially horror. I decided to use a first person POV. The story is told by Jenna at all times. This makes the story more intimate.
Plus, you can describe how the character is feeling more adequately. Shaking, a pounding heart, headaches...my character suffers all of it because of her fear of spiders. But you can use a third-person POV, too. It really depends on how well it serves your story.
7. Plot Twist?
I love a good plot twist, but employing one in your story is personal choice. In the end, will the killer be revealed to be one of the main characters all along? Or will it be revealed earlier, with a big showdown at the end of the novel?
It's up to you. Remember, small plot twists that are subtle can be just as effective at instilling fear than big plot twists at the end.
8. Ask Yourselves These Questions...
What does my character/group of characters want?
What will they do to get it?
What do they fear the most in life?
What obstacles will they have to overcome?
How will they grow/evolve by the end of the story?
How will my main characters defeat the adversary? (Every villain has a weak spot - even monsters.)
What story am I trying to tell, and what message?
Happy Horror Writing! I hope you frighten many, many people. 😃
As always, thanks for reading! Back to my novel now.
Sincerely,
Dana
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