Ever wanted to write a book that makes the reader jump at the lease little thing? Becoming a horror writer will allow you to do that. You could join the ranks of fellow horror writers, like Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Clive Barker, and Peter Straub.
First things first, you have to write about what scares you. In order to produce a good horror novel or short story, you will have to confront your own fears. To some, this is a difficult task. There are those who do not even want to admit to having a fear, but we all have them. Daydreaming and imagining yourself in a scary situation will help you create your story. If you take the time to allow yourself to be a pert of the main character, then the character will come off as real because you are pouring your emotions, fears, and anxiety into him or her. The best horror stories are those that come from real situations. Writing about an event that may have occurred in your life or you fear will happen to you or a loved one is the best way to write a horror novel or short story.
Reading is the foundation to writing a great book. If you have never read a horror story or watched a horror movie, then you will not be able to create one. Reading other horror books will help you to develop the skills necessary to create a horror story.
You will need to grab the reader’s attention by placing a scary scene in the beginning, just not the scariest scene in the book. You have to time and pace your story. Your novel will have to capture the fright in your story’s surroundings and scenarios. There are those writers who believe that a fast paced description is always the goal. That is not always true. You will need to slow the pace down to allow the reader to soak in the quieter horror moments. Without there being a slower pace to certain parts, the books more quicker paced moments would not be so explosive. You will want to take the time to tease your readers. Putting in scary scenes that turn out to be not so scary will accomplish this. You have to give your readers the feeling that something scary is coming, then when they are least expecting it to happen the climax of the horror should take place. Before the climax occurs, make sure there is a place in the book that you have described the villain or monster.
You will want to avoid all the horror clichés when you are writing your novel. For instance, a black cat lurking in an alleyway, strange noises coming from the woods while everyone is seated around a campfire. Things of this nature will be considered a cliché. You will have to take the time to explore how to incorporate horror in your novel in an original way. Your horror story could involve classic horror elements with your own unique twist, or not resemble traditional horror at all.
You must remember to write realistically. Making your horror story seem real will make it scarier. You want your reader to feel as though the events could actually happen. When you are first beginning as a horror writer, you should write about the town you live in and your own situations. Then you can add in the fear elements, such as a murderer or an apparition. When you begin by using a real person, place or situation, it will make your reader think what is about to happen really did take place.
Writing habits for horror novelists are different than traditional books. You never want to lose your emotional momentum, so you will have to take the time to write every day. To establish a sense of fear within yourself, write in your attic, basement, or at night after everyone has gone to bed. This will heighten your sense of fear and cause you to write the scary scenes that much better.
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