Writing a horror story can be a fun and thrilling creative exercise. If you’re interested in crafting your own horror story but need help figuring out where to start, these five steps can help guide you through the process of creating a spooky and suspenseful tale. Whether you are a seasoned writer or a beginner, these tips can help make a horror story that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats.
Tips to Write a Horror Story
So, let’s get started!
1- Read more horror
Reading horror stories is a great way to get a feel for what makes a good horror story. Some well-known horror writers include Edgar Allan Poe, H.P. Lovecraft, and Stephen King. But there are many other talented horror authors out there as well, such as Shirley Jackson, Dean R. Koontz, and Robert Bloch.
If you’re interested in reading horror stories specifically for young readers, you might enjoy the works of John Bellairs or R.L. Stine. No matter your age or reading level, there is a horror story out there that will thrill and terrify you.
2- Remember that horror can transcend genre boundaries
In addition to the classic horror writers, many contemporary authors incorporate horror elements. Joyce Carol Oates, Chuck Wendig, and Neil Gaiman are a few writers who have dabbled in the horror genre. If you’re a horror fan, it can be helpful to read and watch traditional horror stories and explore the work of writers who don’t necessarily limit themselves to the genre.
Doing so can help you understand what makes a story frightening and give you new ideas for horror writing. So, remember to branch out and try something new!
3- Focus on your fears
Authenticity is vital in horror writing, just as it is in comedy. Stephen King, one of the masters of horror, has written about how his fears and experiences influenced his horror writing. By tapping into your fears and experiences, you can create horror stories that are more authentic and ultimately scarier.
So don’t be afraid to get personal in your writing and draw from your life to create a frightening tale. If you can scare yourself with your writing, chances are you’ll be able to scare your readers too.
4- Create three-dimensional characters
Creating well-developed characters is essential in any storytelling, and horror is no exception. It can be helpful to focus on building characters with flaws that drive the story’s action to make your horror story or screenplay more effective.
These flaws can make your characters more relatable and human, and their mistakes and poor choices will be more impactful to the audience. By putting effort into crafting your characters and giving them depth and complexity, you can create a horror story that is more engaging and memorable.
5- Recognize that the real can be scarier than the surreal
While jump scares and gore can undoubtedly be effective in horror stories, they are often not as memorable or impactful as psychological horror. Films like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project, which rely more on psychological horror than on gore, tend to stay with audiences longer and be more deeply unsettling.
Instead of relying on cheap thrills, tap into your readers’ real-life fears and insecurities to create a genuinely terrifying experience. By playing with people’s fears, you can create a horror story that is much more effective and memorable than one that grosses them out.
Conclusion
Writing a horror story can be a thrilling and rewarding creative exercise. Following these five steps, you can craft a suspenseful and spine-tingling tale that will keep your audience on the edge of their seats.
These tips can help you create a horror story that is both frightening and memorable. So why wait? Start writing your horror story today, and let your creativity run wild!
