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What makes writing horror scary?

Moth_Crazy's profile picture

Posted by Moth_Crazy

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Details.


Either a lot of details of the monster/killer or few details.

However, for some tension building its better to not focus on the thing (Monster/killer) directly. Try describing how the surroundings look or feel, maybe it's raining hard so it's harder to hear anything incoming. Or maybe it's so silent, even taking a breath might be too loud. Or the sound of their (protagonist's) heartbeat can be heard so loud they might think the monster/killer can hear it too.


Any ways that's all I've got for right now!! Let me know what you think makes written horror scary.


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iiheartliv's profile picture

Reply by iiheartliv

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This is so true! In horror writing specifically I like to focus on 'showing not telling'. Depending on the genre of horror you're going for it's so cool to describe the seemingly minuscule details. Your antagonist has 'scary' teeth? WRONG! They have 'sharp, saliva coated' teeth! I find this holds true in body horror based writing especially. 


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