Writing Horror
This section is devoted to articles covering the
basics of writing horror fiction.
Horror Sub-Genres
by Paula Guran
The horror genre has broken off into so many separate
branches that several distinct sub-genres were formed to
cater to the varying tastes of discerning horror lovers.
The Other in
Fiction: Creating Wonderfully Wicked Villains
by Carolyn Kaufman, PsyD
Characters with psychological problems and quirks have
appeared as long as people have told stories. So how do
you write these quirks into your tale believably?
Elements of
Aversion: What Makes Horror Horrifying?
by Elizabeth Barrett
People often wonder what makes scary stories so
attractive. Why do we find thrillers thrilling? Why does
horror horrify us? What gives creepy tales their
compelling magnetism? How does horror work? How do you
write successful horror? Elizabeth looks at the
ingredients needed to make horror horrifying!
Suspending
Disbelief
by Dr. Vicki Hinze
What does a writer do when a novel contains an element
that requires a serious suspension of disbelief? How
exactly does the writer incorporate that element so that
the reader buys into the premise?
The Bottleneck
by Gary Thomas
A bottleneck in a
horror story is any enclosed area in which potential
victims are trapped while the monsters-- be they
supernatural horrors or crazed human killers-- prowl
around outside.
Creating a
Character for a Horror Story
by Sarah Todd
The most important part of fiction is the characters you
create to tell your story. A good horror story character
is a fictional being every bit as alive and as much a
unique individual as anyone with whom we are acquainted.
Why Horror Scares
Us
by Richard Spurling
Not all horror stories are about creating a sense of fear
- they are about instilling a deep sense of horror.
Richard looks at why horror is scary!
What Makes Horror
Scary?
by Richard Spurling
What ingredients does a horror story need to be
considered truly scary? Richard looks at things to
include into any frightening story!
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