How Do You Write 12

How to Write a Horror Story in 12 Steps

September 23, 2022

Spooky times are on their way! In this mail service, you'll learn how to write a horror story in 12 easy steps. From the very outset to the very end, you'll be a horror writer in no time. Writing a horror story is easy, provided you know how to do it in the right way.

A horror story is usually about a particular issue or theme. It might exist about the horrible nature of life, the evil of humans, or the brute within united states. It might fifty-fifty be about fear, or about the various ways in which we face up fear. The 1 affair that all horror stories have in mutual is that they are "stories of fearfulness."

The all-time horror stories are about fear, whether information technology'due south fear of death, fear of disease, fright of the unknown, fearfulness of loneliness, or fear of pain. The main problem with horror stories is that most people don't similar to be scared. Our minds adopt the familiar, the comfortable, and the easy. So how do nosotros get effectually that?

The answer is that we accept to tap into our inner horror. We have to get inside our minds and into our souls to write virtually horror. It's not easy, but it's not hard either. If you're willing to put in the endeavor, you'll exist amazed at the results you lot can achieve.

10 Tips for Writing Horror Stories

Before you brainstorm writing a horror story, here are eight tips to help you lot create the perfect, chilling tale:

Make it realistic: Don't be agape to make the story experience real and genuine and so that the reader doesn't get lost in the atmosphere of the book. Try to apply real-life situations every bit the base of the story, and so y'all tin add the gore afterwards.
Include plot twists: The more twists you can add to the tale, and the more surprises that will occur, the stronger the plot.
Avoid stereotypical characters: Only because it'south horror doesn't hateful you have to take a serial or a cannibal in your story. Become across the norm with your characters – recall anyone can be a series killer, especially the to the lowest degree suspected person!
Pace yourself: Don't simply bound to the scariest moment in the beginning, slowly build up the suspense. Start by giving the reader hints of danger, and then bang when they to the lowest degree suspect bring in the gore.
Play on common fears: Common fears that people face every day. Such as being lonely in the dark, being chased by a monster, having a bad dream, etc. Fears are icky, but they tin be made into something interesting if you lot play with them.
Choose a writing manner: At that place are many ways to write horror and some people find that they have an easier time in a journalistic style or in 1st person narrative. Think virtually what y'all're most comfy with and endeavour it out.
Increase the stakes: The best horror stories involve a sense of fear and dread, and so make sure to increase the stakes every bit you lot become. If your principal character is at a party, maybe in that location's something bad lurking in the back room or someone is trying to kill them. Make certain in that location's something at stake for your characters and don't forget to give them something to do besides running away.
Read popular horror stories: Horror can be a very nighttime genre, so yous might want to check out other scary tales to get inspiration. For instance, Stephen King has written some of the most terrifying stories ever created and you might even learn a few things from them.
Pick a horror sub-genre: Horror is very broad and can be done in many unlike styles and genres. I recommend going for a sub-genre like Gothic Horror, Zombie Horror, or Psychological Horror. You may notice that you are more comfortable in one of these areas than in others.
Be imaginative: Your story should be as unique every bit possible so use your imagination and go crazy! Practise not hold back when it comes to inventiveness, as this is how truthful horror is born.

How To Write a Horror Story in 12 Steps

Follow these 12 piece of cake steps to create a spine-chilling story that will leave your readers in awe and fearfulness.

Step one: Brainstorm some ideas

Here's a elementary niggling trick that we tin can't recommend enough: start with writing downwardly all of the words and phrases that come to mind when you lot think almost horror. Horror is much more than than just scary stories; it's about fearfulness. And so beginning thinking about the horror you see around yous, and what keeps you lot upward at dark. The trick is to go into your listen, even if information technology doesn't feel comfy. Attempt list your biggest fears, and all the things that brand you feel scared. You can likewise check out this listing of over 110 horror story prompts to get you started.

Nosotros also recommend keeping a nightmare periodical – Which is like a dream periodical but filled with notes about your nightmares instead. After you had a really scary dream write down everything you remember from that dream. This can include what you saw, heard and felt during the dream. You can then use these notes as a source of inspiration for your horror story.

Check out these Halloween writing prompts and Halloween picture prompts for more ideas.

Stride 2: Develop your idea

What keeps you up at night? The evil monsters in the monsters movies? The epidemic of a deadly virus? A tragic unsolved criminal offence? Whatever your issue is, it tin be used to create a horror story that will have your readers sweating bullets. Have your ideas from the previous footstep and develop them into a truly horrific story idea. Once you lot take written down the basic idea, try to think well-nigh how that idea tin can be fabricated scarier.

For example, if you lot're writing near a deadly illness, you could utilise the theme of death to make it scarier. Have the characters die in the story in a mutated sort of fashion or from some weird side effect that leads to decease. There are plenty of ways to brand the story more horrible:

Attempt thinking about an ordinary situation that everyone goes through and add together something horrific to it. The play a joke on to making your story scary is to make it conceivable. In other words, you lot desire to make your story as true to life as possible.
Focus on some terrifying emotions, fear being the obvious one. But you lot tin can too think nearly crudeness, disgust, as well as acrimony, regret, paranoia and shock factor.
Add in some unnatural details, such as spaghetti turning into worms or claret coming out of solid, unliving objects.

Step iii: Make a listing of main characters

Write down all of the main characters in the story. If you have more than one, give each character a distinct personality. Make sure that each grapheme has a certain reason for their actions and be sure that they reflect their personality.

Whatever your horror is, you lot should probably take a primary graphic symbol that volition be a part of the story. When you write the story, information technology's going to exist easier to create a tense atmosphere if you accept a character to relate to. Also, you lot may want to make certain that y'all have a few supporting characters that you can add to the story. The supporting characters might also get the main characters in any sequels you plan on writing.

The other characters in the story should be the antagonists. These are the evil people or creatures that are keeping you lot upward at nighttime. They might be the killer, the ghost, the werewolf, the zombie, the villain, the monster, the demon, or the bad guy. Whatever the issue is, that's what the antagonist will be in the story. They might start out equally but an ordinary person, simply they'll end upward being more evil than the chief grapheme.

Bank check out this guide on grapheme development to help you develop a powerful character.

Stride 4: Develop a horrific setting

When writing a horror story, information technology'southward very important that you get the setting right. Recall about some scary places that you know of in real life or places that you've seen in your nightmares. You could likewise link your primary setting selection to a common fear explored in your story. For instance, if the core concept of your horror story is related to the fear of heights, then the main setting may be a high-rise building that's filled with monsters.

Other common horror story settings may include a haunted business firm, a creepy old mansion, graveyards and even quiet suburban towns. Whatever your choice of setting, try to write a detailed description of the main setting in this step. Think virtually the appearance of the location, the weather, the feeling someone has when continuing in this location, too as what kind of people live here, forth with the beliefs they hold.

Interested in creating a whole new world for your horror story? Cheque this master list of over 100 world-building questions.

Pace 5: Outline the opening paragraph

The opening paragraph will exist the first thing your readers see. It should be a teaser that sets the tone for the story. In other words, the first paragraph should exist intriguing enough to make your readers want to go along reading. You should ideally include the chief graphic symbol's proper noun, the setting, the antagonist, the fearfulness of the story, and the main character's problem.

If the story is nigh a haunted house, and then the outline of the opening paragraph could say something like this:

The house is empty. It has been for a long time. It's been vacant for years and years. It sits in the middle of a placidity, suburban neighbourhood. The grass is light-green and the trees are tall. The neighbourhood is serenity, but the boondocks is not as quiet every bit anybody thinks. There are whispers, rumours, and stories. But the truth is, no 1 has e'er seen or heard anything unusual here. Not until Wendy Williams and her daughter moved in.

During this stride, it is important to try to write an opening that gives the reader a gustatory modality of the unabridged story. But of course, don't give likewise much abroad – Just a hint of fear will do! Your goal here is to have the reader wanting more.

Run into this listing of over 150 story starters to aid you get started with your chilling tale.

Step half-dozen: Program the major climax

This step is basically the big blindside. Information technology'due south where your main character goes head-to-head with the antagonist in the story or has to face up their greatest fear. It'due south too when your main character learns the truth about the antagonist. The goal of this step is to keep your readers on the edge of their seats.

When writing the climax, call back well-nigh what will happen, who volition be in danger, and what the event will exist. If you're struggling with the climax, and so y'all should start with a smaller problem and piece of work your way up to the big one. For example, y'all could start with a little bit of trouble with a graphic symbol, such as a bad dream or the chief character getting injure. This volition go your readers involved in the story. You may find that once you lot beginning writing, you lot'll come upwards with a more complicated trouble that your main character will accept to solve.

Here's an example of what a potential climax scene sounds similar in a horror story:

The sound of footsteps is heard coming down the stairs. The footsteps are too heavy, and they seem to be coming from the basement. The door to the basement creaks open. Then a face is seen in the door frame. It's a face up with large, red optics, and it's full of hate.

Stride vii: Write a twisted ending

In horror stories, the twist ending is almost always a stupor reveal of some kind. Whether the true murderer is revealed, or the identity of the antagonist is revealed, it should ever be a surprise.

There are several ways to write a twist ending, merely you'll probably want to start with a twist that's a little more obvious. You could reveal who the antagonist really is, or even what the chief character has been hiding. Or you could have the primary grapheme learn some shocking information that sends them in a completely different direction.

The unique thing about the horror genre is that fifty-fifty afterwards the mystery or problem is solved, it's not always 100% solved. There'south ever some darkness lurking somewhere. Was he really the murderer? Maybe there's more than one monster? Give this concluding hint of darkness to proceed your readers second-guessing even later on the volume is over. Now that's where the true horror lies!

Step 8: Choose a scary writing manner

Of course, horror stories are written in a more than darker and dramatic mode compared to other genres. Simply there'southward more than to horror writing than just using dark words and descriptions of gory scenes. In this step, you want to call back most the actual writing of your horror fashion. Will it be written in the starting time person, second person or third? Do you lot want to have a more journalistic approach where you report horrific events? Or will you accept a more narrative approach, where the reader is on the exterior looking in?

In our opinion, a horror story written in the get-go person has a much more powerful result. There's something about having the perspective of the master character that makes them more vulnerable. There's also something about beingness told a story by another character that makes the story more real.

While the 3rd person is corking for taking the reader through a story, information technology doesn't allow for the depth of emotion that tin can be constitute in the first person. If y'all cull to write in the 3rd person, then you'll want to stick with the voice of an objective narrator who is reporting on the events of the story.

Either way, you'll want to try to avoid too many descriptions of gruesome scenes. You want to go on the focus on your primary character's emotions and how they feel, and their trouble.

Step 9: Write the first typhoon

Finally, it'due south time to offset writing your story! Hopefully, afterward all these steps, you at present have a rough outline for your story. But even if you don't, simply start writing! The first draft is usually the most important one. And so even if you don't have a complete outline, get started on your story. Just commencement writing and don't worry about anything else! You might besides want to read this mail on how to outline a book for more guidance.

While writing your draft, you'll want to go along these things in listen:

Brand sure your story is conceivable to a certain extent. Of class, you might retrieve that vampires aren't existent – Only make them real for your readers! This is the nearly important affair. If your story is incommunicable or unbelievable, then no one will want to read information technology.
Avoid using clichés. These are words or phrases that are overused in stories and don't really add anything to your story.
Use active vox instead of passive voice. Passive voice is when a sentence starts with "someone" or "something". Active voice is when the sentence starts with "I" or "we".
Utilize short sentences and paragraphs. Long sentences brand information technology difficult to read, and paragraphs wait heavy.
If you're struggling to go annihilation written down, then get-go with the easiest or shortest scenes first. You can always come back to the more complicated areas of your story afterwards when you're fix.

And finally, have fun with it! Writing is supposed to be a fun hobby, and then don't take yourself likewise seriously!

Pace 10: Edit and review your typhoon

The difficult function is washed, now you're prepare to beginning editing your story! Start by reading the story to yourself a couple of times. Each time you read your story highlight areas that you lot are unsure of, or would like to improve. At the aforementioned time look out for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, and sentences that sound a bit off. One time you're washed with this review, you tin go back and make the relevant edits to your story.

Next, you'll want to gather some feedback. This is where you'll want to have a 2nd or third person read your story. It's non a good idea to let one person read your draft, equally they'll be biased towards what they like. Then go a few different people to read your story, and make sure they accept a different perspective. They can exist family members, teachers, or even a friend that's not familiar with your writing style.

When request for feedback, yous can ask the post-obit questions:

What are the most of import parts of the story?
Are there any parts of the story that don't make sense or are confusing?
What did yous similar most about the story?
Can y'all call back of anything that could be improved?
Did you like the main character?

Once you have the feedback, y'all can get back and brand the changes. It's of import to make the edits, but don't obsess over it. In the terminate, you want to brand the story the best that information technology can be. And past doing this, you'll be on your fashion to writing a smashing horror story!

Step 11: Choose a chilling book championship

It'southward time to cull a book title. This is a very important part of a horror story. Not only does a expert title assistance to requite your story an identity, merely it also helps to tell the reader what kind of story they're well-nigh to read. The title should have a dandy hook. It should be intriguing and a footling flake scary. If y'all're struggling to think of a great book title, and so you tin try to think near what you'd like to read. Would you similar to read a book that scares yous? Or would you rather read a book that's about someone's struggles?

If we wait at some popular horror book titles, we can see that nigh of them are quite descriptive:

The Woman in Black
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Information technology
The Haunting of Aveline Jones
The Haunting of Hill Firm
The Graveyard Volume
Funnybones
Ghost Boys

Essentially, they either depict the antagonist of the story or the primary setting in the story. Based on this try to summarise your horror story in as little equally three to 5 words. Think about the master setting or the main villain/monster of your tale and come up with some book title ideas. If you lot're still struggling, check out this horror book title generator for some more than interesting ideas.

An important thing to note here is that yous should brand sure that your book title is non already in use or taken by another writer. Try doing a quick Google search or a search on Amazon to see if your title is available for the taking!

Step 12: Publish the volume

Your book is now finished! Yous've written the kickoff draft, edited it, gathered feedback, and at present information technology's time to publish it! In that location are many ways to publish your book. The most popular method is to publish it on Amazon as a self-published author. You tin also piece of work with a professional publisher to become your book to marketplace.

Remember that if you're a new writer, and then information technology's not a good idea to first by publishing your volume on Amazon. It's better to offset slow and work your way up. You lot don't want to rush your writing and cease up with a book full of mistakes! Kickoff past publishing your book using a free tool like the Imagine Woods story creator, then later work your style up to publishing on Amazon.

That's it! Now yous should be ready to write your own horror story! Give it a go and come across what yous can come up upward with!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you lot start a horror story?

There are a number of ways to start writing a horror story:

Focus on your own fears. Start by listing your fears and develop your story thought from at that place.
Innovate the grapheme. You lot can draw your main character in the first few scenes. Make them as normal, and relatable equally possible
Describe a setting. If the setting is key to your story, so describe every inch of it. Make your readers feel like they are right at that place with you lot.
Start with some action. This could be a bloody murder, someone screaming and running or anything else that makes the reader feel uncomfortable.
Motion picture a harmonious place. You lot can describe a at-home and happy place. Somewhere taken from a romantic rom-com type story or a happy family movie, which all of a sudden changes.
First at the stop. Rewrite your potential ending as the beginning, and then work your way backwards.

What are the 5 elements of a horror story?

The five elements of horror include Graphic symbol, Setting, Activeness, Horror, and Resolution. All these elements are crucial in developing a gruesome horror story.

See our guide on the 5 elements of story-telling for more data.

What makes a good horror story?

A good horror story has fear at its core. The reader must be scared as they read the story. If not and then yous missed something important in your novel. A good horror story must be scary, but information technology should also take an element of realism to it. The story should include relatable chief characters, a scary antagonist, a creepy setting and of course a shocking reveal at the end.

How do you write in creepy writing?

Your first step is to try to think about the creepiness of the setting. Is it a dark and scary place? Is it full of secrets? If it is, then you have a proficient identify to commencement. Endeavour to exist very detailed, and specific when describing the setting. Describe the blood on the wall equally it drips down, or the lock on the door that won't turn. Make the reader feel as if they are correct in that location. Apply descriptive words and metaphors to bring your gory details to life.

How do I brand my graphic symbol terrifying?

To make your character as terrifying equally possible, you could try the following techniques:

Make your character an outcast. They don't fit in with the main group of characters and tin can't be trusted.
Give them a story to tell. A dark and encarmine by.
Make them a loner. They can't trust anyone else and have no friends.
Make them a survivor. The main character of your story has been through a lot and can't be stopped.
Give the character an of import title. Someone who is important in a lodge that has deadly plans. You tin can't trust them, but have no choice but to follow their rules.

Did you find this guide on how to write a horror story useful? Allow united states know in the comments below.

How to Write a Horror Story