Read on Twitter
horror : a genre
- a thread of writing tips
- a thread of writing tips
i would like to start by saying i am no expert. these are things i've learned that i'm sharing with you. horror is a genre i greatly enjoy and hope others can, as well! in my thread of ?s, i noticed a lot of ppl wanted to try writing it, hence this thread!
precautions :
- some triggering subjects may be mentioned. please be advised.
- these are collected resources, and some may not be credible anymore.
- once more, i am Not an expert
- some triggering subjects may be mentioned. please be advised.
- these are collected resources, and some may not be credible anymore.
- once more, i am Not an expert
horror : a definition
Horror, as a word, is described as a feeling of intense fear, shock or disgust.
As a genre, its purpose is to create feelings of fear, repulsion, and shock within an audience; to create an atmosphere of horror.
Horror, as a word, is described as a feeling of intense fear, shock or disgust.
As a genre, its purpose is to create feelings of fear, repulsion, and shock within an audience; to create an atmosphere of horror.
There are different subgenres to horror, and a lot of them have their own unique characteristics. It’s important to know them simply because it’ll help you figure out what you want to write!
subgenres
There are...a lot of subgenres and sub-subgenres you could go through, but from what I’m able to find these are some you might recognize.
There are...a lot of subgenres and sub-subgenres you could go through, but from what I’m able to find these are some you might recognize.
subgenres : psychological
Psychological horror relies on using the fears and emotional instability of characters to build tension. It creates discomfort by exposing the darker side of human nature.
Psychological horror relies on using the fears and emotional instability of characters to build tension. It creates discomfort by exposing the darker side of human nature.
subgenres : psychological
Its focus is predominantly mental conflict and has settings grounded more so in realism.
Its focus is predominantly mental conflict and has settings grounded more so in realism.
subgenres : slasher
This subgenre has a variety of names, but it involves ruthless killers and sometimes crosses into psychological horror. The source of fear in these are not monsters. But people can certainly be monsters, can’t they?
This subgenre has a variety of names, but it involves ruthless killers and sometimes crosses into psychological horror. The source of fear in these are not monsters. But people can certainly be monsters, can’t they?
subgenre : gothic
Gothic horror combines a mixture of dreariness, decay, and a little bit of romance. There tends to be a lot of contrast between emotional representation, and sometimes it can feel like there is a supernatural force at play. There might be, or there might not.
Gothic horror combines a mixture of dreariness, decay, and a little bit of romance. There tends to be a lot of contrast between emotional representation, and sometimes it can feel like there is a supernatural force at play. There might be, or there might not.
subgenre : gothic
It can be ambiguous. But you can never forget some good social commentary to make the world a bit bleaker.
It can be ambiguous. But you can never forget some good social commentary to make the world a bit bleaker.
subgenres : supernatural
Supernatural horror is probably one that’s well known. It involves a preternatural force that terrorizes the characters in some capacity. Sometimes in the form of powers gone rogue, a not so friendly ghost, or party trick gone wrong.
Supernatural horror is probably one that’s well known. It involves a preternatural force that terrorizes the characters in some capacity. Sometimes in the form of powers gone rogue, a not so friendly ghost, or party trick gone wrong.
subgenres : cosmic
Cosmic horror, also known as Lovecraftian horror, targets existential fears such as the insignificance of humanity and the unknown. Common themes often play on the vastness of the universe and how we are but specks in the grand scheme of things.
Cosmic horror, also known as Lovecraftian horror, targets existential fears such as the insignificance of humanity and the unknown. Common themes often play on the vastness of the universe and how we are but specks in the grand scheme of things.
subgenres : overlap
There are some genres that horror lapses into. Sci-Fi and Fantasy (called Dark Fantasy in this case) are some common ones. Comedy is also included. They share characteristics with both genres combined.
There are some genres that horror lapses into. Sci-Fi and Fantasy (called Dark Fantasy in this case) are some common ones. Comedy is also included. They share characteristics with both genres combined.
tropes
Within horror, there are tropes that are commonly used. Things such as setting and character types that really make a horrific story. You can find a list of some here: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HorrorTropes
Within horror, there are tropes that are commonly used. Things such as setting and character types that really make a horrific story. You can find a list of some here: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HorrorTropes
professional tips :
before i move on to what i usually do, i'm going to include some tips from published and revered authors in the horror genre.
before i move on to what i usually do, i'm going to include some tips from published and revered authors in the horror genre.
tips : go for it
first and foremost, a lot of what is there is authors saying to just do it. write it. don't worry about people saying anything. you're experienced enough. just try.
first and foremost, a lot of what is there is authors saying to just do it. write it. don't worry about people saying anything. you're experienced enough. just try.
tips : atmosphere
atmosphere in itself is important to the kind of horror you want to produce. it can carry your story really well. but that's dependent on the kind of terror you want people to feel. author Stephen King asserts that there's three kinds of terror: gross-out,
atmosphere in itself is important to the kind of horror you want to produce. it can carry your story really well. but that's dependent on the kind of terror you want people to feel. author Stephen King asserts that there's three kinds of terror: gross-out,
tips : atmosphere
horror, and terror. gross-out would the vivid descriptions of gored bodies. beheaded corpses and strewn about limbs. horror is more so the psychological fear. terror is an ever-present sense of dread, one that can hold for the entirety of the writing.
horror, and terror. gross-out would the vivid descriptions of gored bodies. beheaded corpses and strewn about limbs. horror is more so the psychological fear. terror is an ever-present sense of dread, one that can hold for the entirety of the writing.
tips : go where the pain is
Anne Rice has said to "go where the pain is." use what you fear or can't get over to create a truly horrific experience. it's also a great place to start if you don't know where to draw inspiration.
Anne Rice has said to "go where the pain is." use what you fear or can't get over to create a truly horrific experience. it's also a great place to start if you don't know where to draw inspiration.
tips : narrator
this is no different from other genres, but a narrator is what drives the story. the pov you choose can also create a sense of closeness with the reader and may well put themselves in the shoes of the narrator. you can also consider unreliable narrators.
this is no different from other genres, but a narrator is what drives the story. the pov you choose can also create a sense of closeness with the reader and may well put themselves in the shoes of the narrator. you can also consider unreliable narrators.
tips : out of control
one thing to consider, where horror is concerned, is the concept of losing control. your characters are not in control. that sense of losing control can add to the tension of the story.
one thing to consider, where horror is concerned, is the concept of losing control. your characters are not in control. that sense of losing control can add to the tension of the story.
tips : tell your story
you might be inclined to fall in line with the supposed status quo. don't. do what you wanna do. make your story Your story.
you might be inclined to fall in line with the supposed status quo. don't. do what you wanna do. make your story Your story.
i'm going to include the links to the articles in the next tweet that included these tips to see them in-depth, as well as a link to a masterclass article on writing horror with tips from author R. L. Stine.
