Ask The Girl
How to Write Horror Scenes that Terrify
A horror scene is a very important part of any terrifying horror or paranormal story. If you’re looking for tips on how to write them, then this blog post has just what you need! First, let’s talk about the three main categories of horror scenes: psychological, physical, and visceral. The next thing we’ll cover is tone and atmosphere – these two go hand-in-hand because they both decide whether or not your audience will be scared by your story. Finally, we’ll talk about how to develop suspense so that your readers stay interested until the end!
Three main categories: Psychological, Physical, and Visceral.
These three categories are derived from Don Norman’s three levels of design. These three levels are different, yet connected and influence our experience of the world around us in a particular way. He names his levels: visceral, behavioral (physical), and reflective (psychological).
The visceral category “concerns itself with appearances”. This means how the visual qualities of the object and how this object makes the person feel. The best example is a grandfather clock. The grandfather clock doesn’t do anything more than a small alarm clock. It tells and keeps time. But a grandfather clock is perceived as an heirloom, mysterious, traditional, and a symbol of wealth. What could be a visceral element of your story? Well, it could be the old abandoned house on the hill, or the mysterious antique wee-gee board found in the attic.
The physical or behavioral category consists of usability. In other words, what you can grab, hold, steer, pull, and feel around you. So the physical will be how you physically feel about the situation. Sweaty palms, cold sweat, or your stomach-wrenching when in a terrifying predicament. Also, the use, appearance, smell, sound, and feel of a weapon your attacker uses or your main character uses to protect him or herself.
The reflective or psychological category is what we use to rationalize the environment around us to influence the behavioral level. We use this to weigh the pros and cons of a situation and determine the best or rational solution. A common psychological theme in horror is no one can see the ghoul, zombie, ghost, or monster except for the main character. It’s all in his/her head. They didn’t get enough sleep or it was a shadow or animal mistaken for the creature.
Tone and Atmosphere
The atmosphere or setting needs to have a dire, haunting feel, or tone. I recommend reading some horror or paranormal novels paying attention to the verbs and adjectives used to describe the setting. Besides the setting be aware of the tone of voice of the main character. Most horror stories use a voice that is melancholy, sad, mysterious, or angry. There are always exceptions to the rule but generally, your reader will be searching for this creepy tone.
Here is an example of the tone I used for my book, “Ask the Girl”:
“I love my sister.
I love my father.
Both have betrayed me.”
Did I set the tone for hopelessness and sadness? Do you feel the mystery and want to learn more?
Here is another example I used in “Ask the Girl” of creating atmosphere :
“Katy can smell every flower that has ever bloomed, hear every whisper of the leaves that ever rustled in these trees, and feel every cool breeze that has ever swept through this forest. Yet, she doesn’t know why.”
Does the setting feel creepy, or ominous? Do you wonder why Katy is here and why she can smell, hear, and feel every tree, flower, and breeze, yet doesn’t know why?
Suspense
Suspense is the core element you want to incorporate into your horror or ghost story. Suspense can be added everywhere. In chase scenes, dialogue, mood, tone, atmosphere, and voice of your main character. Suspense is knowing when not to tell the reader too much but not withholding too much. “What?” you say. You want the reader to wonder why your main character is not telling the truth about his or her past but you don’t want to frustrate the reader or confuse the reader by withholding too much. My favorite advice I used to help me add suspense to my novel came from Masterclass Blog “10 Tips for Amplifying Suspense in Your Writing“, which recommends starting a ticking clock (the MC has only so much time to solve the mystery or someone dies) and to use third-person omniscient if you want your readers to see what’s coming before your main character, building suspense through dramatic irony. Likewise, if you want your reader to see everything through the main character’s perspective, only finding things out when the hero does, use first-person POV or third-person limited. Other techniques are to foreshadow what’s to come and set up a false sense of security.
I hope these tips will add some horror and suspense to your next story. As always, keep writing and share your story with a group of writers. The best stories derive from painless, terrifying hours of revisions and edits. But that’s another nightmare for another blog.
Kim Bartosch writes young adult paranormal mysteries and thrillers. Her debut novel “Ask the Girl” is available at all major booksellers. When Kim is not writing, she is spending time with her family and teaching English as a second language online to children in Asia and Europe. Follow @kimbartosch on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.
About the Author:
Kim is a young adult writer of paranormal mysteries and thrillers. She is fond of ghost stories and has experienced many hauntings during several paranormal investigations. She has contributed many articles regarding travel, hauntings, and more on various sites. Kim has been on several ghost hunts across the U.S. with her sister. She photographed a ghost at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
As an advocate for Autism and Bipolar Disorder, Kim offers her support to many charities and programs, such as Joshua Center and Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Kim feels there aren’t enough programs for mental disabilities. Her goal is to give as much help to set up these organizations for success so individuals, such as her autistic son and bipolar sister, will have the support they need.
Kim is an avid member of the Society of Children Book Writers & illustrators (SCBWI.org) contributing her time to many events and conferences.
Website: https://www.kimbartosch.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KimBartosch/
Blog: https://kimberlybartosch.wixsite.com/blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimbartosch/
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bewitching book tours, blog tour, guest post, kim bartosch, standalone
Thank you for sharing your guest post, bio and book details, Ask the Girl is a must read for my teen aged granddaughters and I. I will be sure to let you know if any scenes from the story terrify me