Research in Horror Writing: Why It’s Important
Horror has long been a popular genre in literature, captivating readers with its ability to elicit fear and terror. Research in horror writing, however, plays a cricital role if you want to build a story that really has that gruesome wow factor.
Creating a terrifying horror story is not as simple as throwing in a few spooky elements and calling it a day. To truly scare the pants off readers, horror writers must understand the human psyche and the things that fill us with dread or pin us to the ground in terror.
This is where research comes in. It’s the foundation upon which the most successful spine-chilling tales are built. From the psychology of fear to the intricacies of the supernatural, research allows writers to better craft stories that will stay with readers long after the final page has been turned.
Understanding the Psychology of Fear
Fear is a complex emotion and it lies at the core of all horror writing. To create petrifying stories, we must have a deep understanding of what it is that truly scares us and why. This is where research into the psychology of fear comes in.
Psychologists have long studied the mechanisms of fear, and their insights can be incredibly valuable for horror writers. Head online and you’ll find literally hundreds of articles about the subject.
For example, researchers have identified certain universal fears that are common to all human beings. These include the fear of death, the unknown, and the fear of loss of control. These form the foundation for horror stories. They are deeply ingrained in our psyche and can evoke a visceral response from readers because they feel connected.
Research into the physiological effects of fear can also be useful for horror writers. When we are afraid, our bodies undergo a series of changes, including an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate. Understanding these l responses should help you create more vivid, realistic and immersive stories that will resonate with your readers on a much deeper level.
You might also benefit from research in horror writing that explores the different types of fear that exist, such as primal, existential, and social fear. By incorporating these into your stories, you should create a multi-dimensional experience that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Researching Real-Life Horror for Inspiration
While horror stories are often works of fiction, many writers draw inspiration from real-life horror events. From true crime to historical atrocities, real-life horror provides a wealth of material for writers to draw upon.
Researching in horror writing can be a delicate task when the subject matter is taboo or controversial and it is important to approach with sensitivity and respect. However, when done correctly, it can add a level of authenticity and depth to your horror stories that is difficult to achieve through pure imagination alone.
For example, a writer might draw inspiration from a notorious serial killer or a historical event such as the Salem Witch Trials. By researching the details of these events, you can create a more authentic and believable story that will resonate with readers on a more concrete level.
Real-life horror can also provide inspiration for the supernatural elements that often feature in horror stories. For example, ghost stories are often inspired by reported sightings and paranormal phenomena, and research into these events may help create more realistic and believable supernatural settings.
Crafting Realistic and Believable Characters
One of the key elements of effective horror writing is creating characters that are believable. If your story doesn’t have a central character who reacts appropriately, it can seem a little false or contrived.
Researching the psychology of trauma and the ways in which people respond to extreme stress can help writers create more nuanced and realistic characters who react in ways that feel authentic.
Researching different types of people and their backgrounds can help writers create more diverse characters who will respond differently and perhaps take the story in a different direction. For example, a writer might research the experiences of soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder to create a more realistic portrayal of a war veteran character.
You should also draw upon their own experiences as well as observations of people to create realistic characters. Next time you are in a busy place like a bar or café, take some time to wonder how the different patrons would react when confronted with your monster. Paying attention to details such as body language, speech patterns, and social cues is a great way to build the identity of characters and flesh them out.
Researching Horror: Cultural and Historical Taboos
Horror stories quite often deal with themes and subjects that are considered taboo within certain cultures or historical contexts. For example, some cultures have specific beliefs and practices related to death and the afterlife that may be considered no go areas for outsiders to write about.
This type of research in horror writing can help you avoid offensive stereotypes and cultural appropriation, and can also help writers create more nuanced and authentic stories and characters.
If you are exploring a historical event that involved a specific group of people, it is important to research the perspectives and experiences of those people to avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes or inaccuracies. This is more critical the nearer in the past the event took place.
Creating Plausible Supernatural Elements
Supernatural elements are key components in horror stories, but to succeed they need to be plausible and believable. Again, this is where good research comes in.
One approach is to dig deep into existing beliefs and folklore related to a supernatural element. For example, a writer might research the mythology surrounding a particular type of monster or ghost to create a more authentic and believable portrayal of that entity and bring it to life for modern times.
Another option is to research scientific theories and phenomena that could potentially explain supernatural events like ghosts or other paranormal events. You might, for example, research things related to time travel or parallel universes to create a more scientifically plausible explanation for a supernatural event in your story.
It’s important to establish rules and limitations for supernatural elements to help make them more believable. Vampires, for instance, have a set of well-established rules associated with them which you can draw on (or even dispel). The point of these is that most people who read that type of fiction accept that angle of the story.
The key to creating plausible supernatural elements is to strike a balance between realism and fantasy. That’s not always an easy thing to do.
Incorporating Accurate Science and Technology
Many amazing horror stories rely on science and technology to create frightening and suspenseful scenarios. However, good research is invaluable for writers looking to incorporate science and technology into their horror stories in a believable and accurate way.
Let’s say you’re incorporating a disease outbreak into your story. It is important to research the science behind how diseases are spread, as well as the symptoms and treatment of the specific disease being portrayed. Without it you can’t hope to create a realistic scenario that your readers will believe.
Science and technology can also be great to explore a wide range of ethical and moral implications within your story. You don’t have to dumb everything down and bedding your story in some hard facts can certainly make it much more believable and engaging for the audience.
Studying the Art of Suspense: Why Research in Horror Writing is Vital
Research isn’t just about the plot of the story you are writing. It can help you in many other ways.
Suspense is a key component of effective horror writing. The ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next, is what makes the genre so compelling. However, creating suspense requires careful study and practice.
One approach is to study the techniques used by other writers and filmmakers to create different kinds of suspense. For example, you might want to analyse the use of sound and music in a horror movie to understand how these elements create tension and anticipation. Or maybe it’s worth looking at how different authors manipulate the emotions of their readers and the techniques they use to them engaged throughout the story. Learning more should lead you to experiment with different narrative techniques, playing with pacing and structure in ways that improve your writing technique.
Developing Authentic Settings and Environments
Creating an authentic and immersive setting is crucial for any story but it’s vitally important for horror stories and novels. The environment and atmosphere of your story will have a significant impact on the reader’s experience, making it important to pay close attention to the details of the setting.
For example, if a writer is setting their story in a historical location, researching the architecture and fashion of that time period can help create a more vivid and immersive environment.
Researching the local geography and natural features should also help you create a more realistic and engaging setting. If you are setting your story in a forest, researching the types of trees and animals that are native to that area can help create a colourful and immersive environment.
Of course, you can also draw on personal experiences and emotions when developing settings for your stories. Tap into your own memories and feelings, create settings that feel authentic and emotionally resonant to you and that should draw readers deeper into the world of the story.
Avoiding Clichés and Stereotypes
Horror is a genre that is often associated with certain clichés and stereotypes, such as the “final girl” trope or the haunted doll or house. While these elements can be effective when used in the right way, relying too heavily on them will probably make your story feel predictable and uninspired.
To avoid falling into these traps, it is important that your research in horror writing covers not just the genre but its many tropes thoroughly. This can help you understand which elements have been overused and need to be left alone or it can give you ideas on how to use them in fresh and unexpected ways that breath life into them.
If you want to amaze your readers, it’s important to develop unique and complex characters that break away from traditional horror stereotypes. For example, instead of relying on the trope of the helpless victim, you might want to create a character who is resourceful and takes charge in the face of danger.
Our Top 10 Tips for Using Research in Horror Writing
- Understand the psychology of fear: Study how fear works on a psychological level to create stories that evoke a visceral response in readers.
- Research real-life horror for inspiration: Draw from real-life events and experiences to create stories that feel authentic and emotionally resonant.
- Craft realistic and believable characters: Develop characters that are relatable and three-dimensional, avoiding common horror stereotypes.
- Navigate cultural and historical taboos: Be mindful of cultural and social sensitivity when creating stories that deal with sensitive subjects.
- Create plausible supernatural elements: Research supernatural and paranormal phenomena to create elements that feel grounded and believable.
- Incorporate accurate science and technology: Use research to create plausible scientific and technological elements that add to the story’s believability.
- Study the art of suspense: Develop a strong understanding of pacing and tension to create stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
- Develop authentic settings and environments: Research the physical and cultural characteristics of a location to create a detailed and immersive environment.
- Avoid clichés and stereotypes: Be mindful of horror tropes and stereotypes, and work to create unique and fresh stories that break away from tradition.
- Experiment with different forms of research: Consider using a variety of research methods, such as interviews, surveys, and personal experiences, to create stories that are unique and engaging.
By using these tips and techniques, you can create horror stories that are both entertaining and emotionally impactful. It’s better to draw on research to develop believable characters, plausible supernatural elements, and immersive environments, because then you will create stories that not only feel authentic and engaging but draw readers deeper into the world you have created.
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