Horror is a genre that consistently aims to startle, scare, or even repulse audiences, but achieving this sense of dread and fear is not easy. You need to take advantage of the fear of the unknown and build suspense —a tool one must master in their horror story if they want to send the audience into a frenzy.

In this blog, we will peek into the darkness, explore the various components that make up spine-chilling tales and study the art of suspense.

Characters

The core of any grand horror narrative is a cast of compelling, relatable individuals, including the reckless Joe, who would take their torch to see “what’s” in the attic instead of running the other way when something unusual happens.

Readers must be invested in the characters’ outcomes. Emotional investment in the characters’ survival helps build suspense.

Setting

The setting matters—the atmosphere and aura you cultivate will directly influence the potency of the scene itself. Be descriptive in your writing, and develop an environment that keeps the reader immersed and guessing —forcing them to turn the page despite the creeping dread.

Storyline

This component is the foundation of a good horror read. It’s not all about dramatic sequences and jump scares. Like any other genre, the depth of the storyline matters the most. For suspense to flourish, there needs to be a strong narrative it can fall back on; otherwise, it would be hard for the reader to care.

The Unknown  

Here is where things get fun. If we think about the agenda of a horror story, it is supposed to cultivate fear. Hence, it is a good idea to understand the human psyche and what terrifies them the most, which, inherently, is the fear of the unknown. Don’t be too literal with your writing; try to leave more to the imagination. Let the audience navigate through the read.

Tips for Building Suspense

Now that we know some of the vital components of horror, let’s look at a few helpful tips for creating suspense in your writing:

  • Devil Is in the Details: Prioritize detailed scenes; the more, the better. The agenda is to set your creativity ablaze. Readers should vividly imagine the unsettling scene; the more invested they feel in the narrative, the more significant the suspense’s impact will be.
  • Pacing: Play around with the story’s tempo. Suspense can be maintained using a gradual dramatic buildup followed by unexpected, heart-pounding moments.
  • Foreshadowing:  Give early cues that something horrible is happening. Readers will be hooked in anticipation of the impending catastrophe thanks to the foreshadowing’s sense of suspense.
  • The Effect of Silence: Learn when to keep things quiet. Your plot doesn’t require a terrible discovery at every turn. Between frights, silence and quiet can be just as effective.
  • Turns & Twists: You can keep your readers guessing by including narrative turns and surprises. Suspense can be effectively created by utilizing the element of surprise.

Another effective way to embody the art of suspense and the development of fear in your story is to study a book that exudes mastery in such elements. But the question is, which book to choose?

Prolific author Juju presents a delectably disturbing read that embodies the art of horror, demonstrating a masterclass in pacing, character development, and suspense.

The Costly Wish features Maggie, who returns home after the death of her husband. But little does she know, home isn’t so sweet anymore. Little by little, as the cards unfold, so does the unnerving truth that will cause her to question everything.

The Costly Wish is a masterfully written piece of horror that is a treat for readers and writers. Click on the link to make a wish you certainly won’t regret.