Tess Barron
- Dec 2, 2023
- 16 min read

Horror Writing Q&A: The Survival Guide for New Writers

Updated: Dec 20, 2023

Horror Writing Question and Answer Period with Your Editor

Venturing into the depth of horror fiction writing can be both exhilarating and daunting as you walk the fine line between creating something terrifying and meaningful.

Because if you are here, you are probably looking to not only write an entertaining horror novel that sends chills down your reader's spine—you want to write it well. Have it stick with that reader for a long time and take on a life of its own as any good horror mythos does.

So, why is horror so hard to write, and what are the elusive elements that accomplish the task at hand that I just outlined above?

How do you construct a nightmarish atmosphere and craft a pulse-pounding narrative that still feels believable and relatable?

Today, we will answer all your questions about writing horror and writing it well. As an editor of fiction for over a decade and a die-hard fan of the horror genre for life, I will do my best to help you navigate some of the issues that keep many new writers from putting their foot in the water.

Whether you are seeking guidance on structuring your story or don't quite understand what goes into subverting your reader's expectations entails, this guide has you covered.

I will do my best to be as thorough as possible in the space I have here today, and I will send you to other articles that explain it better where necessary.

If you have a question not included in this Q&A, please write it in the comment section, and I will answer it as soon as possible.

Contents:

Foundations of Horror Writing:
Crafting a Scary Story:
Characters and Monsters:
Techniques and Subgenres:

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Horror Writing Q&A - Foundations of Horror section heading image

Foundations of Horror Writing

Why is horror so hard to write?

Horror demands a delicate balance of focus on evoking fear while maintaining a compelling story. This is definitely not as easy as it sounds.

Tapping into your reader's fears (and maintaining that connection) can be tricky as it requires a deep understanding of human fears and psychology. We go into this at length in my two-part series on crafting amazing horror monsters and villains.

Finding the right blend of pacing, atmosphere, and unpredictability is an intricate dance that can be easily fumbled if not deliberate with every step.

It demands mastery of pacing, atmosphere, and character development.

Effective horror resonates with readers emotionally, making it a formidable task for writers to immerse readers in a world where the unknown and unsettling reign supreme—all this without ever pushing too far and losing them or not far enough…and losing them.

If you want horror that does all these things, read our author, Rachael Llewellyn's Human Beings. This collection of short stories will serve as a series of lessons on developing excellent horror from start to finish. And because they are short stories, each is easy to analyze.

Human Beings by Rachael Llewellyn - horror short story collection buy now

What are the elements of horror?

The most vital elements of horror are:

Foreboding Atmosphere: Creating an unsettling overall ambiance that entrenches readers into the narrative.
Compelling Characters Facing Their Worst Fears: These characters must face genuine fear. All are asked to confront their fears; some may persevere, others will not, and usually get punished for the failure in character.
A Monumental Villain: Horror stories have a villain who is often rich with symbolism and central to the story. The villain is who creates and maintains the fear factor of your horror.
Relentless and Escalating Threat: Horror needs to build tension throughout, intensifying the menace of your villain and creating a sense of impending catastrophe.
Taps into the Visceral and/or the Psychological: Horror hits the parts of the reader's mental state that run dark and deep. It attempts to tap into the most primal fears of humanity.
Unexpected Twists: Keep readers on edge with surprising twists and turns. A good horror is unpredictable, and any horrible situation could be just around the corner.
Strong Themes: A hallmark of horror is its thematic message and often well-considered symbolism. Including a focus on theme and purpose allows your horror to have more meaning and remain with the reader longer.

What to avoid when writing horror?

It's easy to fall into certain traps when writing horror. You must avoid several common pitfalls to maintain the spine-chilling impact you are going for.

Avoid excessive clichés that dilute the originality of your story and make it predictable.
You don't want plot twists that readers can see coming; surprise is a crucial factor in horror.
Don't over-explain and leave room for the unknown and the reader's imagination.
Depth enhances fear, so do not produce one-dimensional characters.
Please resist the temptation to add gratuitous gore for the sake of itself. Gore needs to serve the narrative.
Watch your pacing. Your revelations will fall flat if not carefully timed.
Shun excessive reliance on jump scares; true horror lingers in the mind.

Those are some of the worst, but if you want to know more about what to avoid and how to fix these mistakes, go to my article on the top 14 horror writing mistakes to avoid here.

Don’t Write Horror Until You Read This - Fiction Editor Reveals the Top 14 Worst Horror Writing Mistakes

How do horror writers create fear?

Horror writers evoke fear through a nuanced blend of psychological and atmospheric techniques.

Crafting a foreboding atmosphere sets the stage, while well-developed characters facing retable fears connect readers to the story. Strategic pacing, suspenseful build-up, and unexpected twists heighten the tension.

Writers use the unknown to tap into primal fears by allowing the reader's imagination to take the lead. On the other hand, detailed descriptions can amplify visceral reacters and exploit common phobias, deepening the sense of dread.

Creating fear is the artful manipulation of anticipation, empathy, and the unknown.

What are the rules of horror writing?

While not rigid, specific guidelines can enhance the effectiveness of horror writing:

Establish a strong atmosphere.
Develop characters people care about.
Carefully choose which elements will be exposed and which will be left shrouded in mystery. Less is more.
Allow suspense to build gradually.
Employ vivid and evocative language to amplify fear.
Create something new. Please don't rely on clichéd elements.
Focus more on your antagonist. You aren't paying them enough attention.

Crafting a Scary Story

What makes a good scary story?

A compelling, scary story hinges on a combination of critical elements. First, establish relatable characters to anchor readers emotionally. Then, craft a well-defined, atmospheric horror setting that is integral to the narrative.

Pacing is crucial. A gradual build-up of tension keeps readers hooked.

Introduce the unknown or supernatural to provoke curiosity but also fear. Effective use of imagery and sensory details heighten immersion and show, don't tell is more important than ever in this genre.

A good scary story hinges on being able to haunt the reader's thoughts long after it concludes.

What are some horror clichés?

Good or bad, horror tropes and clichés include:

Creepy kids
Creaky old haunted houses
Jump scares
Mirror reflection scares
Abandoned asylums or hospitals
Creepy dolls
Ominous music boxes
Clichéd settings like graveyards, foggy forests, isolated cabins, etc.
Mysterious small towns
Dark, scary basement horrors
Creepy kids' rhymes
Glowing eyes in the dark
Ancient curses
Creepy paintings and portraits (especially ones of creepy kids)
The skeptic who becomes a believer
The lone survivor/the Final Girl
The vengeful ghosts
Cryptic warnings from a creepy dude/lady
Creepy kids laughter

I want to say that there is no judgment on any of these, and all tropes and clichés can make for a good story in the proper context.

But most horror has been done to death, so please work to develop something new. If you want to learn the best way to come up with unique ideas that will blow your readers away, check out this one here.

Cool Ideas: The #1 Brainstorming Method and the Power of Productive Thinking

How to build tension in horror writing?

Building tension in horror is an art that involves a variety of techniques:

Gradual Revelation: Slowly unveil the horror elements to intensify anticipation.
Pacing: control the rhythm of your narrative, varying between moments of calm and rising tension.
Atmosphere: Craft a vivid, foreboding setting to amplify the sense of dread.
Character Vulnerability: Make protagonists relatable and vulnerable to increase reader empathy.
Unpredictability: Keep readers guessing with unexpected twists and turns.
Isolation: Isolate your characters physically or emotionally to amplify their vulnerability.
Foreshadowing: Drop subtle hints to create a sense of impending doom.
Withholding Information: Hold back crucial details, letting readers' imaginations fill the gaps.
Uncertainty: Create an atmosphere of uncertainty by introducing elements that challenge previously established ones.

What is the most basic fear in a horror story?

The most fundamental fears in a horror story tap into the primal human anxieties.

You must decide what the core fear of your horror story is focusing on. It often revolves around the fear of the unknown—an uncertainty about what lurks in the shadows or cannot be comprehended. But yours could be the fear of what happens when we choose the wrong partner, or fears surrounding parenthood, etc.

"Primal" is an important word here.

These are fears that are deeply ingrained through millions of years of evolution. Ones where our very survival is at stake.

These fears trigger a visceral response, exploiting the deep-seated instincts of flight or fight.

How do you write good gore in horror?

Effective incorporation of gore in horror writing requires a delicate balance to avoid gratuitousness and maintain narrative impact:

Relevance: Ensure that the gore serves a purpose within the story, contributing to the story's atmosphere or character development.
Imagery: Use vivid imagery and evocative language to create detailed, visceral mental pictures. But do so carefully and deliberately to walk the fine line between "Ew" and "I'm done."
Psychological Impact: Connect the gore to emotional or psychological elements to intensify its impact on the reader.
Character Perspective: Describe the gore from the character's perspective, emphasizing their emotional and sensory experience.
Subtlety: Sometimes, hunting at or implying gore can be more powerful than explicit descriptions. Let the reader's imagination take the wheel sometimes.
Context: Ensure that the level of gore aligns with the overall tone and theme of the story. Maintain logical coherence.

What is the "unknown" in horror writing?

When we talk about the "unknown" in a story, we mean horror writing elements deliberately left mysterious or unexplained to foster a sense of ambiguity and unease.

It can manifest as enigmatic entities, supernatural forces, or unresolved mysteries in the narrative.

By withholding certain details, writers invite the reader to actively participate in the story through their imaginations, allowing the writer to tap into the primal fears of uncertainty more effectively.

The "unknown" becomes a potent tool for building suspense and lingering dread.

Little girl in the woods at creepy cabin - Image made with Leonardo.ai — Image made with Leonardo.ai

How do you set the mood for a horror novel?

Establishing the right mood is crucial in a horror novel. Some horror novels are all mood, and that is pretty much it. You must immerse the readers in an atmosphere of unease and anticipation.

Here is how to set the mood effectively:

Atmospheric Descriptions: Paint a vivid picture of the setting using emotionally charged language to create a thick and claustrophobic atmosphere.
Use of Senses: Engage readers by appealing to their senses, describing sounds, smells, and textures that amplify the eerie ambiance.
Foreshadowing: Drop subtle hints or ominous clues early to build anticipation for unsettling events.
Isolation: Place characters in isolated settings to make them more vulnerable.
Weather and Time and the Little Details: Leverage details like weather and time of day to enhance the mood. Every detail in the story should serve the atmosphere.
Unsettling Imagery: Try to create disturbing or surreal visuals that will stick with the reader.
Tension-building Language: Craft sentences with a cadence that builds tension, using pacing and rhythm to create suspense. Control how fast or slow the reader progresses through the prose. Study Edgar Allen Poe to understand the nuance of this better.

Edgar Allan Poe - The Ultimate Collection

Character Reactions: Reflect characters' emotions and reactions to their surroundings, reinforcing the mood through their experiences.
Cultural Elements: incorporate cultural or historical markers that evoke the mood you are trying to create in your horror. These things immediately form a picture in the reader's mind that helps you solidify the mood. (Like the automatic mood created when mentioning the term "gas chamber").

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How do you structure a horror story?

Structuring a horror story involves careful pacing and strategic planning of scares to build and maintain tension. Here's a guide based on a basic three-act structure:

Introduction:

Establish the ordinary world and characters.
Introduce subtle hints of foreshadowing to create a sense of unease.

Inciting Incident:

Trigger the disturbance or introduce the antagonistic element.
Prompt a shift from the ordinary to the eerie.

Rising Action:

Gradually escalate tension with minor disturbances.
Develop characters' fears and vulnerabilities.
Unveil the horror elements in stages.

demon king horror - Image made with Leonardo.ai — Image made with Leonardo.ai

Midpoint:

Introduce a major revelation or turning point.
Escalate the threat or unveil a significant mystery.

Climax:

Reach the peak of suspense and horror.
Confront characters with their deepest fears or the full force of the antagonist.

Falling Action:

Begin Resolving mysteries or addressing character arcs.
Unveil critical information and provide clarity.
(This all happens quickly).

Resolution:

Conclude the story while leaving room for lingering questions.
Offer a final twist or revelation that resonates with the horror theme.

Conclusion:

Reflect on the aftermath or lingering consequences.
Leave the reader with a sense of lingering unease.

How do you make a creepy setting?

Building a foreboding horror atmosphere is a massive part of making the setting creepy, but there is some nuance here, so I will answer this one, even though it seems repetitive.

Creating a creepy setting involves weaving together many atmospheric details that elicit a sense of unease in the reader.

Begin with vivid descriptions that engage the reader on a sensory, emotional, and psychological level. This way, you can paint an utterly immersive picture that readers don't feel like they are just looking at but experiencing for themselves.

Emphasize the play of light and shadow and utilize environmental elements such as weather, fog, moonlight, or oppressive silence.

Allow the setting itself to tell the story of the horrors it has seen with each word and image you create.

Consider architecture and layout like labyrinthine structures or claustrophobic spaces. Basic geometry and color can be powerful tools in communicating your setting to the reader. Sharp angles and desaturated colors can evoke a sense of dread, coldness, etc.

Finally, something from the world of art, infuse small elements that are out of place. These are subtle anomalies that stand out to the reader and create a feeling of discomfort. Things like the red child's bike in the creepy old, abandoned hospital.

These will force readers' imaginations to soar as they try to answer the question, "What is the story behind that?"

Just make sure you do not overdo it. One of these elements per novel can be sufficient.

Monster terrorizing village - Image made with Leonardo.ai — Image made with Leonardo.ai

How do you write something unsettling?

Apart from the last little tip I gave you (which is an excellent one btw), to evoke a sense of unsettling discomfort in your writing, focus on the following techniques:

Ambiguous Descriptions: Employ vague or ambiguous language, leaving details open to interpretation and fostering uncertainty in the reader.
Subtle Imbalance: Introduce subtle disruptions in the ordinary, like odd behavior or unexplained occurrences.
Incongruity: Juxtapose elements that don't naturally fit together to generate a discordant atmosphere.
Psychological Intrusion: Delve into characters' thoughts and emotions, revealing internal conflicts or fears that connect with readers on a personal level.
Uncanny Elements: Incorporate familiar yet subtly altered elements to tap into the uncanny valley effect where the slightly off-kilter feels profoundly creepy.
Slow Build-Up: Gradually escalate tension, allowing the reader's discomfort to intensify as the narrative progresses.
Implied Threats: Suggest potential dangers without explicitly stating them and allow the reader to fill in the blank with their own worst fears.
Minimalist Horror: Embrace the power of what's left unsaid. Rely on understatement and implication to instill much of the dread.

Characters and Monsters

How to write scary horror villains?

Crafting a terrifying horror villain requires a combination of psychological manipulation and their perceived power/unpredictability.

Start by establishing a compelling backstory. Treat your antagonist with the same careful consideration you would any other character, more so. And build your protagonist around them to be the perfect victim.

I go into this idea in my post: What Makes a Good Character Arc? The Easiest Way To Write a Character Arc With Just 5 Key Elements. Element #3 is all about the antagonist's role in creating a great protagonist.

Check that one out to get deeper into this idea.

But next, develop a unique and unsettling appearance that taps into primal fears, whether it's deformities, a freaky mask, unnatural features, or an otherworldly aura.

Even if they are a good-looking Ted Bundy type, they should have something that throws the reader off—sends a shiver down their spine, even if they can't put their finger on it.

Infuse your villain with a twisted logic or some evil agenda. Use psychological horror to explore their dark mind and worldview. And always reveal them gradually, building suspense before fully exposing their sickness.

There is a lot to say on this topic; that is why the post for this one turned into a two-part tome. You can get to part 1 below.

dark coven of witches - Image made with Leonardo.ai — Image made with Leonardo.ai

How to create a monster for a story?

Craft a memorable monster by combining unique traits. Easy right?

Ok. Maybe not.

Consider its origin, whether supernatural or scientific, and imbue it with a motive that aligns with the story's theme. Develop physical features that evoke fear and emphasize the creature's impact on the environment and characters.

Balance revelation, teasing its presence before a climactic reveal.

Lastly, ensure the monster serves the narrative, symbolizing the characters' deeper fears or challenges.

Again, I get into this more in my post: The Ultimate Guide to Horror Monsters and Villains Part 1: The Secrets Behind Terrifying Antagonists.

How to write a unique haunting story?

Develop a distinctive setting, first and foremost. Something that is not just the same old haunted house or asylum/hospital, etc. Then, explore its history and unique supernatural elements.

Here are some key areas where you will want to diverge from the pack:

Give us unique characters with novel motivations and stakes to make the story seem fresh, even if you employ some clichés.
Come up with ghostly disturbances we have never seen before. It's easier said than done because people have beaten a lot of dead horses in the haunting subgenre. But I think you can do it.
Use symbolism to deepen the haunting's significance to the reader and story. You hit people at their core and move them; they are a little more forgiving.
Play with structure, shift perspectives, or create fragmented narratives.
Maintain a good deal of ambiguity. The things readers can conjure in their heads will probably scare them more than you can.

How to write a horror protagonist?

Fashion a compelling horror protagonist by grounding them in relatable traits. Establish their vulnerabilities and fears to engage readers emotionally.

Develop a distinctive background that resonates with the horror's theme and allows for growth and transformation as the protagonist confronts the terror.

Emphasize their resourcefulness and resilience in the face of this fear.

Most importantly, provide them with internal conflicts that mirror external threats, adding complexity rather than the cardboard horror character we are all used to. This will connect the protagonist and the audience, making their journey a visceral and gripping experience.

What makes a good Final Girl?

I love me a Final Girl.

She encompasses all the things horror encapsulated in the human animal. It's purpose and history.

I won't get into that right now. If you're curious about what I mean, you can read this post:

Why Horror is the Most Important Genre and Why You're Scared Because You Don't Consume It Enough

A good Final Girl embodies resilience and resourcefulness. She is the sole survivor of the terror that picked off all her friends/family/whatever whatnots.

Establish her as relatable, with vulnerabilities that make her journey compelling. Develop her character through adversity, allowing growth and empowerment. Then, display intelligence and strength in confronting the horror, defying traditional victimhood.

Ensure she maintains agency, actively shaping her fate. Connect the audience emotionally, making her survival a triumph over fear. Finally, subvert stereotypes, offering a nuanced portrayal that transcends clichés.

But remember this and remember this well—a great Final Girl is one who is stripped of her innocence by the horror she is forced to face. Emerging bloody but victorious.

She has a strong character arc that is laden with symbolism and meaning.

Don't write a Final Girl unless you are willing to do her justice in this respect.

Techniques and Subgenres

How to subvert expectations in a horror story?

Here are some ways to keep your horror fresh and throw your reader off balance by defying their expectations.

Character Arcs: Develop characters that defy typical horror archetypes. Play with different kinds of arcs, like negative or failed arcs.
Plot Twists: Introduce unexpected turns that challenge conventional horror tropes.
Setting Manipulation: Subvert familiar settings, turning seemingly safe places into sources of horror.
Moral Ambiguity: Blur the lines between good and evil.
Genre Mashups: Blend horror with unexpected genres for a fresh narrative approach. Horror romance, anyone?
Unconventional Antagonists: I will say again because you must get this in your head. The antagonist is the heart of your horror. Create monsters and villains that defy traditional expectations, offering unique and surprising threats.
Narrative Structure: Experiment with non-linear storytelling or unconventional structures to keep readers off-balance.
Twisted Endings: Conclude the story in a way that defies typical horror resolutions, leaving lingering questions.
Subtle Horror Elements: Incorporate subtle, everyday horrors to catch readers off guard.
Character Survival: Challenge the notion of which characters survive, subverting the typical "one left standing" trope.

What are the most popular subgenres of horror?

The most popular horror subgenres are:

Psychological Horror
Supernatural Horror
Gothic Horror
Body Horror
Lovecraftian Horror
Monster Horror
Folk Horror
Zombie Horror
Survival Horror
Slasher Horror

demonic transformation - Image made with Leonardo.ai — Image made with Leonardo.ai

What should be included in psychological horror?

Psychological horror thrives on unsettling the mind.

Include intricate character psyches, exploiting fears rooted in reality. Craft a disorienting atmosphere to challenge perceptions. If you like, employ unreliable narrators to blur truth and illusion.

Dive into existential dread, probing the dark recesses of the human psyche. Psychological horror focuses on manipulating and destabilizing the characters and readers. You must have a firm grasp of the psychology of fear and use that knowledge to make every detail of the story count, including pacing, rhythm, and word choice.

Can a horror novel use the uncanny valley effect?

Yes!

A horror novel can leverage the uncanny valley to evoke serious amounts of unease. By introducing elements that are almost human but not quite, the narrative taps into the discomfort arising from familiarity mixed with strangeness.

It's that feeling you get when you meet someone who is saying nice things to you, but the kindness doesn't reach their eyes.

This creates a chilling atmosphere that intensifies the psychological impact on the reader.

It is all in the words you use and how careful you are with your imagery. My series on how to REALLY show, don't tell will help you create this image in your reader's head without them even realizing it.

Final Words

Wow, this one was long. I can really go on about horror.

It is my passion, so I'll allow it.

If I had to leave you with something, it would be that crafting a genuinely spine-tingling story requires more than writing scary—it demands an understanding of the human psyche, playing with emotions, and being willing to defy conventions.

There.

Yea. That sounds final.

Embrace the darkness, horror writing friends. May your tales linger in the shadows of your readers' minds, much like the haunting echoes of a well-told ghost story on a moonlit night.

Keep writing.

What are the best books to read to write better horror?

Around here, we have a term for these integral novels, written by the genre masters who serve as the very best teachers—your literary ancestors.

If you don't know who these greats are or have read their works, you are missing out on the most significant single opportunity to improve your writing craft.

Luckily for you, I have compiled such a list for horror writers like you. To discover the best works of horror to help guide you to writing mastery, click the "next" button below.

Next: Must-Read Horror