The idea is the foundation of any story. Ensure it is original captivating, and able to sustain a full plot.
2. DEVELOP COMPLEX CHARACTERS
Readers will not just be interested in the suspense, but also the characters. This is why they must be well-developed and relatable.
3. CREATE A SENSE OF ATMOSPHERE
It's not just the plot and characters that matter, but also the setting. Where is the story taking place? What time period? What is the weather like?
4. BUILD SUSPENSE
The story should be fast paced and should be sprinkled with moments of suspense and action.
5. DON'T BE AFRAID TO BE DARK
Horror should be thrilling, but it shouldn't be afraid to explore the darker aspects of human nature and emotion.
6. KEEP THE ENDING IN MIND
Make sure you know how the story is going to end before starting to write. Having an end goal will help you keep your story on track.
7. USE DIALOGUE SPARINGLY
Too much dialogue can slow the pace of a story. Use it to reveal character and advance the plot, but do not let it dominate the story.
8. AVOID CLICHÉS
While they may be easy to write, they are overused and can make the story feel too predictable.
9. GET FEEDBACK
Once you've written your story, get feedback from friends, family, and other writers. This will help you identify any areas that need improvement.
10. REVISE AND EDIT
A good horror story should be carefully edited. Review your work, fix spelling, grammar, and syntax errors, and ensure the flow and pacing are consistent throughout.