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@PaperHats February 03, 2020

Hey friends!

I have a question.

Recently, I’ve been smacked with inspiration for writing a psychological horror/thriller. I know a few tricks, aka: agonizing detail, unrestricted sentence structures, gothic vocabulary palette, etc. However, as a comedy writer, it’s terribly hard for me to write in an air of solemnity. I’ve had the urge to write this thriller, and unfortunately, there’s no room for any comedic release. It would make the storyline less dire and more of a dull concept.

Does anyone have any tips as to how I could go about this? With character development, how to describe horrific images, and the breaking point of those within the world? This is all in general, I do not have a set sub-genre.

Thanks!!

@SpookyScarySnoteleks February 03, 2020

A while ago, I was talking with some friends about what makes a good horror book, and we all agreed that the level of detail is a key component. If you put in too much detail, it actually becomes funny, because you know exactly what it looks like. If you have too little, you can't get a grasp on anything. If you have just the right amount, your mind will fill in the blanks, and being horror, it usually imagines it as scary as possible. I'm not really a horror writer, but I'll give you an example:
Too much: 'His rotted flesh was hanging off his face, the pinks and browns swarmed with flies and maggots.'
Too little: 'His rotted flesh hung off his face.'
Just enough: 'His rotted flesh, swarmed with insects, hung off his face.'

hope I could help!

@PaperHats February 03, 2020

Thanks for the info! I’ll make sure to apply that :)

@Cassiopeia February 03, 2020

Hi, @Acie!

I hope you don't mind my swinging in to add my two cents! :)
As someone who has dipped their feet in writing horror, and has DEFINITELY read some; A tip that perhaps you've heard, but could stand a repeat is that less is more. Like Ash said, don't give away all of the details. The unknown is terrifying, so be sure to use it as well as you can in your story. There's a reason why people are afraid of the dark, the ocean and deep space! :)
That being said, sometimes, even within a horror story, you can relax a little. Your character(s) don't have to be in high intensity situations for the entirety of the book, and the fact that you write comedy would be perfect for those moments where your reader needs a breather (or a laugh!) So don't be too afraid of bending the rules. Many authors in the horror genre didn't, and oftentimes that's why their work is considered great!
I hope this helped at least a little, and I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors!
–L.C.

@PaperHats February 03, 2020

Thanks so much @Cassiopeia! That does help a lot! I’ll make sure to try it out :)

On the subject of horror...