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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12622-What-Makes-A-Good-Horror-Story.html
Horror/Scary: July 03, 2024 Issue [#12622]




 This week: What Makes A Good Horror Story
  Edited by: W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter


So where do the ideas—the salable ideas—come from? They come from my nightmares. Not the night-time variety, as a rule, but the ones that hide just beyond the doorway that separates the conscious from the unconscious.
—Stephen King, The Horror Writer Market and the Ten Bears

When I write, I try to think back to what I was afraid of or what was scary to me and try to put those feelings into books.
—R.L. Stine

I busied myself to think of a story, — a story to rival those which had excited us to this task. One which would speak to the mysterious fears of our nature, and awaken thrilling horror—one to make the reader dread to look round, to curdle the blood, and quicken the beatings of the heart. If I did not accomplish these things, my ghost story would be unworthy of its name.
― Mary Shelley, Introduction to the 1831 edition of Frankenstein


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

What Makes A Good Horror Story


Strong atmosphere and tone – The setting, choice of words, and imagery establish a tense, creepy, and unsettling mood right from the start.

Suspense and tension – Keeping the audience guessing about what might happen next. Using mystery and thrill to build suspense.

Vulnerable characters – Having empathetic characters that the audience can relate to and worry about when danger approaches.

Creative monsters/villains – Original and frightening antagonists that pose a credible threat without seeming silly or contrived.

Blurring reality – Obscuring the line between the real and unreal to make the audience question what is actually happening.

Slow reveal – Withholding just enough information to tease the audience and make them keep reading to get answers.

Disturbing imagery – Visual descriptions intended to shock, repulse, and frighten, like gruesome death scenes.

Themes of dread – Touching on universal human fears and phobias – darkness, pain, disease, isolation, madness, death, etc.

Shocking twists – Surprising revelations that turn the story in an unexpected direction.


Editor's Picks

Good Horror


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The Riddle Open in new Window. (GC)
some riddles have a greater impact than others...
#2142041 by Jim Hall Author IconMail Icon

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Menagerie of the Damned Open in new Window. (E)
The spirits of the damned will never escape my prison.
#2015714 by Angels in my Ear Author IconMail Icon

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The Watercourse Open in new Window. (13+)
Two lost children search for their mother
#955815 by W.D.Wilcox Author IconMail Icon

Do You Really Want To Read This? Open in new Window. (13+)
Well, Do You?
#1794443 by Angus Author IconMail Icon

The Agony of the Soul Open in new Window. (18+)
Cynthia Corvallis lives forever in the gloomy pits of life.
#588758 by kristofer Author IconMail Icon

Another Day, Another Dollar Open in new Window. (18+)
Something unexpected arrives at the morgue.
#1466134 by Jeff Author IconMail Icon

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The Crimson Rose Open in new Window. (18+)
Her obsession made him jealous, but her transformation confirmed his worst fears.
#1169782 by iKïyå§ama Author IconMail Icon

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Puddle of Fear Open in new Window. (13+)
A rainy day transpires into a soggy episode for Sarah.
#1428642 by Lornda Author IconMail Icon

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Behind The Door Open in new Window. (13+)
He was on the other side of the door, while the evil laughter echoed throughout the house.
#1171611 by 👼intuey Author IconMail Icon

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Esmeralda Open in new Window. (18+)
The circus holds a bizarre secret for Jayson.
#1092398 by StephBee Author IconMail Icon



 
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Ask & Answer

DEAD LETTERS


Prezzo Author Icon
Nice newsletter.

Beacon's Anchor Author Icon
Well, you do have a point, I have looked at your newsletter since 2017 and I've enjoyed it. I would want to learn how to write a newsletter one day and send it out to the newsfeed. I do like Horror/Thriller stories but it depends on the book or movie. I hope you keep going with your newsletter and keep writing. Thanks, Beacon.

Beholden Author Icon
What is it that makes readers of a newsletter respond? Ask a question. Writers are wiseacres and all too ready to offer their opinion on anything. Use that.

s Author Icon
Dead bodies are an interesting subject. As a predominantly horror writer, I use the dead all the time. But I have changed how I use dead people...
Because I found the freshly dead body of a relative and then spent 6 hours with it in the Australian sun on a farm.
Watching the body go through the first start of metamorphosis is enough to make you step back and take a look at what you're writing about.
I still use them, of course... but I am more wary now.


QUESTION FOR NEXT TIME:

Were you scared during Covid lockdowns?



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