You’ve decided to write a horror story. You want to keep your readers up at night, checking under their beds and swearing off dark basements forever.
But where do you start? How do you turn a simple idea into a full-blown nightmare on the page?
In this post, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about writing a horror story that grips your readers from the first word to the last. By the end, you’ll have all the tools you need to craft a tale of terror that will leave your audience screaming for more.
What Is a Horror Story?
At its core, a horror story is about fear—fear of the unknown, fear of the monster under the bed, fear of what lurks in the dark corners of our minds.
But horror is more than just scares and gore.
It’s a genre that explores our deepest anxieties and taps into the primal instincts that drive us.
Whether it’s a supernatural thriller, a psychological horror, or a good old-fashioned ghost story, the best horror stories make us confront what we fear most, and they do it in a way that’s impossible to forget.
Types of Horror Novels
Horror comes in many flavors, each with its own unique way of getting under your skin. Here are a few of the most popular types:
- Psychological Horror: Focuses on the mental and emotional state of the characters, often blurring the lines between reality and madness. Example: “The Shining” by Stephen King.
- Supernatural Horror: Involves otherworldly elements like ghosts, demons, and curses. Example: “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson.
- Gothic Horror: Combines horror, romance, and death, often set in gloomy castles or ancient mansions. Example: “Dracula” by Bram Stoker.
- Slasher Horror: Centers on a killer who systematically hunts down and kills the characters, usually in gruesome ways. Example: “Halloween” (1978) directed by John Carpenter.
- Cosmic Horror: Deals with the idea that humanity is insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe, often featuring ancient, incomprehensible beings. Example: “The Call of Cthulhu” by H.P. Lovecraft.
But the beauty of horror is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can mix and match elements from different subgenres to create something entirely unique.
Which brings us to our step by step blueprint for how to write a horror story.
How to Write a Horror Story That Will Haunt Your Readers Forever
Here are the seven steps I use to write a horror story.
Step 1: Come Up with an Original and Compelling Horror Idea
Every great horror story starts with a spark—an idea that gets your heart racing and your mind churning. But how do you come up with something original and compelling? Start by asking yourself a few key questions:
- What scares you the most?
- What’s the worst thing that could happen in a given situation?
- How can you take a familiar horror trope and twist it into something new?
For example, in The Whispering Pines, the idea began with a simple question: What if a group of childhood friends returned to their hometown and discovered that the forest they once played in was haunted by an ancient, malevolent force? From there, the story grew into a tale of guilt, redemption, and supernatural terror.
Pro Tip: Keep a journal or a note-taking app handy to jot down any ideas that come to you throughout the day. Inspiration can strike at any time, and you don’t want to lose it!
Step 2: Create a Strong Premise
Once you have your idea, it’s time to turn it into a compelling premise. A good horror premise includes:
- Characters: Who are they? What are their fears and motivations?
- Conflict: What external and internal challenges do they face?
- Consequences: What’s at stake?
- Setting: Where does the story take place, and how does it contribute to the horror?
- Ticking Clock: What’s the urgency?
- Escalation: How does the tension build?
Take The Whispering Pines as an example.
The premise could be summarized like this:
In the remote town of Pine Hollow, a group of estranged childhood friends returns for a funeral, only to discover that the forest they once played in is haunted by a malevolent force. As the days pass, they must confront their deepest fears and darkest secrets, or be consumed by the forest forever.
This premise includes all the key elements: compelling characters with a shared history, a haunting setting, a ticking clock (seven days to break the curse), and escalating tension that leads to a climactic showdown.
Step 3: Develop Your Characters
In horror, your characters are everything. If readers don’t care about your characters, they won’t care what happens to them.
So, spend time developing complex, relatable characters with fears, flaws, and desires.
Creating Multi-Layered Characters
Each of your main characters should have:
- A Fear: What terrifies them? This will drive their actions and reactions throughout the story.
- A Flaw: What is their Achilles’ heel? This could be a moral failing, a past mistake, or an emotional vulnerability.
- A Desire: What do they want, and how far are they willing to go to get it?
For example, in The Whispering Pines, Sarah’s fear is losing control, her flaw is her unresolved guilt over her brother’s death, and her desire is to make amends and protect her friends.
These traits make her a compelling character whose actions drive the plot forward.
Example from The Shining:
In Stephen King’s The Shining, Jack Torrance’s fear is losing his sanity, his flaw is his alcoholism, and his desire is to succeed as a writer and provide for his family. These elements create a character who is both sympathetic and terrifying, as his internal struggles are mirrored by the external horrors of the Overlook Hotel.
Step 4: Create a Captive Setting (The Cauldron)
A good horror story often takes place in a setting that is both isolated and claustrophobic—a place where the characters can’t easily escape, and where the environment itself becomes a source of fear.
This is known as the “cauldron” in writing.
Example from The Whispering Pines:
In The Whispering Pines, the cauldron is the forest itself—a dense, labyrinthine place where the trees seem to whisper secrets and lost travelers are never seen again. The forest is not just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing entity that traps the characters and forces them to confront their fears.
Example from The Haunting of Hill House:
In Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, the cauldron is the house—a twisted, malevolent structure that preys on the vulnerabilities of its inhabitants.
The house isolates the characters, amplifying their fears and pushing them toward madness.
Step 5: Establish the Conflict and Consequences
Horror thrives on conflict—both external (the monster, the curse, the killer) and internal (guilt, fear, trauma).
But to make the conflict meaningful, there must be real consequences. What happens if your characters fail? What’s at stake?
External vs. Internal Conflict
- External Conflict: This is the immediate danger your characters face, whether it’s a ghost, a serial killer, or an ancient curse.
- Internal Conflict: This is what makes the horror personal—your character’s own fears, guilt, or desires that complicate their actions.
Example from The Whispering Pines:
The external conflict in The Whispering Pines is the malevolent force in the forest that hunts the characters.
The internal conflict is their unresolved guilt over a childhood accident that fractured their friendship.
The stakes? If they don’t confront their guilt and break the curse, they’ll be consumed by the forest forever.
Example from The Babadook:
In The Babadook (2014), the external conflict is the terrifying monster that haunts a mother and her son.
The internal conflict is the mother’s grief and guilt over her husband’s death, which the Babadook exploits. The stakes are both physical and psychological—survival and sanity.
Step 6: Build Tension with a Ticking Clock
Nothing ramps up the tension in a horror story like a ticking clock—a looming deadline that forces your characters to act quickly, often under extreme pressure.
Example from The Whispering Pines:
In The Whispering Pines, the characters have seven days to break the curse before the forest consumes them.
Each day brings new horrors, escalating the tension and pushing the characters to their limits.
Example from The Ring:
In The Ring (2002), the ticking clock is the seven days the protagonist has to uncover the mystery of the cursed videotape before it kills her. The countdown adds a layer of urgency to the investigation, making every scene more intense.
Step 7: Escalate the Horror
A good horror story doesn’t start at full throttle—it builds, slowly and inexorably, until the tension is unbearable.
Escalation is key to keeping your readers on the edge of their seats.
How to Escalate the Horror and Dread
- Start Small: Begin with subtle, unsettling events that hint at the horror to come.
- Raise the Stakes: As the story progresses, increase the intensity and frequency of the terrifying events. Introduce new dangers, reveal hidden secrets, and force your characters into increasingly desperate situations.
- Push the Characters: Escalation should also involve your characters’ internal struggles. As the external horror ramps up, so should their internal conflicts. The pressure should force them to confront their deepest fears, flaws, and desires.
- Build to a Climax: All of this escalation should lead to a climactic moment where everything comes to a head—where the characters must face the ultimate terror and make impossible choices.
Example from The Whispering Pines:
In The Whispering Pines, the escalation begins with eerie whispers in the forest and strange visions, but quickly ramps up as the forest itself seems to come alive. The characters are hunted by malevolent forces, their own guilt driving them to the brink of madness.
Each day brings new horrors, leading to a final, desperate ritual to break the curse.
Example from Hereditary:
In Hereditary (2018), the escalation is masterful.
The film begins with subtle hints of something wrong—a family tragedy, strange behavior, unsettling dreams. But as the story progresses, the tension builds relentlessly, leading to a horrifying climax where the true nature of the family’s curse is revealed.
Step 8: Create Fear in Your Reader
Fear isn’t just about what happens on the page—it’s about what happens in your reader’s mind.
The best horror stories know how to play with expectations, use the reader’s imagination against them, and deliver unexpected, bone-chilling moments.
Techniques to Create Fear
- Imply, Don’t Show: Sometimes what you don’t show is scarier than what you do. Let your reader’s imagination fill in the blanks.
- Play with Atmosphere: Use setting, weather, and sensory details to create a mood of dread and unease.
- Subvert Expectations: Lead your readers down one path, then shock them by revealing something they never saw coming.
- Build Psychological Tension: Fear often comes from within. Use your characters’ mental states to create psychological tension that resonates with your readers.
Example from The Whispering Pines:
In The Whispering Pines, fear is created not just through the supernatural elements, but through the psychological torment of the characters. The forest whispers secrets, distorts reality, and forces the characters to confront their darkest memories.
The tension is heightened by the claustrophobic setting and the ticking clock, making every moment fraught with dread.
Example from Psycho:
In Psycho (1960), Alfred Hitchcock creates fear by playing with audience expectations.
The infamous shower scene is terrifying not just because of the violence, but because it’s so unexpected—it comes out of nowhere, shattering the viewer’s sense of safety. The film also masterfully uses atmosphere, with the isolated Bates Motel and the eerie, looming house creating an unsettling mood that permeates the entire story.
Step 9: Craft a Satisfying Ending
A horror story is only as good as its ending.
After all the tension, fear, and escalation, your readers need a payoff that feels earned and leaves them thinking long after they’ve finished the last page. Whether it’s a twist ending, a tragic resolution, or a hard-won victory, make sure your ending ties back to the themes and conflicts you’ve built throughout the story.
Example from The Whispering Pines:
In The Whispering Pines, the ending is bittersweet. The characters succeed in breaking the curse, but not without sacrifice.
The forest is defeated, but the characters are forever changed, marked by the horrors they’ve endured.
The final scene, where Sarah and Emma walk away from the forest with the dawn breaking, symbolizes both an end and a new beginning.
Example from The Sixth Sense:
In The Sixth Sense (1999), the ending is a perfect twist that recontextualizes the entire story.
The revelation that Dr. Malcolm Crowe has been dead all along is shocking, but it also ties back to the themes of loss, grief, and communication. It’s an ending that feels both surprising and inevitable, which is the hallmark of a great horror story.
Step 10 (Optional): Use AI to Enhance Your Horror Writing
While horror writing is ultimately a personal and creative endeavor, AI tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, Rytr, Grok, and Gemini can be powerful allies in the writing process.
Here’s how to use AI to your advantage.
- Idea Generation — AI can help you brainstorm unique and compelling horror ideas by generating prompts and scenarios based on specific themes or elements you input. For example, you might ask AI to generate five unique horror plot ideas centered around psychological terror and supernatural elements.
- Character Development — Struggling to flesh out your characters? Use AI to create detailed character profiles, complete with fears, flaws, and motivations. This can give you a solid foundation to build on and ensure that your characters are well-rounded and believable.
- Scene Creation — Need help with a particular scene? AI can generate scene ideas, descriptions, and dialogue that fit your story’s mood and tone. You can then tweak and refine these suggestions to match your vision.
- Overcoming Writer’s Block — If you’re stuck on a particular section, AI can help you get unstuck by offering fresh perspectives or alternative ways to approach a scene. Sometimes all it takes is a little nudge to get your creativity flowing again.
Check out these AI tools that I like:
| AI Tools | Learn More |
|---|---|
| Jasper AI | Learn More |
| WriterSonic | Learn More |
| CopyMatic | Learn More |
| Hoppy Copy | Learn More |
Here’s a complete video I made about how to write a horror novel with AI:
How to Write a Good Horror Story
Writing a good horror story is all about creating an experience that sticks with your readers.
It’s not just about scaring them—it’s about making them care, then making them terrified.
Here’s how to do it:
- Start with a Unique Idea: A good horror story begins with a concept that stands out. Whether it’s a fresh take on a classic monster, a psychological thriller with a twist, or a setting that oozes atmosphere, your idea should grab attention from the get-go.
- Develop Deep, Relatable Characters: Your readers need to care about your characters if they’re going to fear for them. Build characters with real emotions, flaws, and fears. Give them a reason to face the horrors that lie ahead, and let their personal struggles be as compelling as the external threats they face.
- Create a Setting that Breathes: A great horror setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in its own right. Whether it’s an isolated mansion, a cursed forest, or a desolate town, your setting should enhance the mood, contribute to the tension, and trap your characters in a place they can’t easily escape.
- Build Suspense and Tension: Don’t give away all your scares at once. Build tension slowly, dropping hints and unsettling details that make your readers feel increasingly uneasy. Use pacing to your advantage, alternating between calm moments and bursts of terror to keep your audience on edge.
- Use Fear Wisely: Fear is subjective, so think about what terrifies you and how you can translate that onto the page. Whether it’s the fear of the unknown, fear of loss, or fear of something lurking just out of sight, tap into the primal instincts that drive us.
- Craft a Satisfying Conclusion: Endings in horror are crucial. Whether your story ends in victory, tragedy, or a twist that redefines everything that came before, make sure it’s a conclusion that feels earned and leaves an impact.
Common Horror Story Tropes and Mistakes to Avoid
Horror is a genre rich with tropes, but while some are timeless, others can feel overused or cliché if not handled with care.
Here’s how to navigate these common pitfalls:
- The Overpowered Villain: While a formidable antagonist is key to horror, making them too powerful or invincible can make the story feel hopeless or repetitive. Ensure your characters have a fighting chance, even if it’s slim.
- The “It Was All a Dream” Ending: This trope can feel like a cop-out, undermining the stakes of the entire story. If you’re tempted to use it, consider instead how you might ground the horror in reality, or twist the dream concept into something more unique.
- Jump Scares on the Page: In film, jump scares work because of the sudden visual or auditory shock. On the page, these can feel forced or ineffective. Instead, focus on building a creeping sense of dread that lingers.
- Characters Making Dumb Decisions: If your characters repeatedly make foolish choices that lead them into danger, readers will lose patience. Make sure their actions, even when misguided, are motivated by fear, desperation, or believable flaws.
- Relying Too Heavily on Gore: Gore has its place in horror, but over-relying on it can desensitize readers and detract from the psychological aspects of fear. Balance visceral horror with emotional and psychological tension.
How to Start a Horror Story
The opening of your horror story is critical—it sets the tone, introduces key elements, and hooks your reader.
Here’s how to start your tale of terror:
- Begin with a Hook: Start with something intriguing or unsettling—a mysterious event, a shocking revelation, or an eerie atmosphere. Your opening line should make the reader want to know more. In The Whispering Pines, the story opens with the characters returning to their abandoned hometown, immediately setting a tone of unease and hinting at the darkness that awaits.
- Introduce Your Main Character(s): Quickly establish who your story will focus on. Give a glimpse into their life, personality, and perhaps a hint of the fear or flaw that will be central to their journey. In The Shining, Stephen King introduces Jack Torrance as a struggling writer with a troubled past, setting up the internal conflict that will be central to the story.
- Set the Atmosphere: Use sensory details to create a mood. Whether it’s a dark and stormy night or a quiet, seemingly peaceful day, the atmosphere should give the reader a taste of what’s to come. In The Haunting of Hill House, Shirley Jackson opens with a description of the house itself, immediately establishing it as a malevolent presence.
- Hint at the Conflict: Give the reader a sense that something is wrong, even if it’s just a small detail. This creates suspense and makes them eager to see how the story will unfold. In It by Stephen King, the opening scene with Georgie and the paper boat quickly spirals into horror, hinting at the dark force lurking beneath the surface of the town.
Horror Story Plot Templates
While every horror story is unique, there are some common plot structures that have proven effective time and again.
Here are three classic horror plot templates to consider when learning how to write a horror novel:
1. The Haunted House/Location
Plot Structure:
- Setup: A group of people (often strangers) arrives at a haunted location, unaware of its dark history.
- Rising Action: Strange occurrences begin—objects move on their own, shadows flicker, whispers are heard. The group tries to rationalize or dismiss these events.
- Climax: The haunting intensifies, revealing the true horror—whether it’s a malevolent spirit, a cursed object, or the house itself.
- Resolution: The characters must either escape, confront the source of the horror, or succumb to it. The ending often leaves some questions unanswered or hints that the horror isn’t truly over.
- Example: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson follows this template, with the house as the malevolent force that preys on the characters’ vulnerabilities.
2. The Monster in the Shadows
Plot Structure:
- Setup: A community or group is living in fear of an unseen monster. The monster could be anything from a serial killer to a supernatural entity.
- Rising Action: The monster begins to strike, picking off victims one by one. The protagonists must figure out what the monster is, how it operates, and how to stop it.
- Climax: A direct confrontation with the monster, where the characters discover its weakness or face a terrible choice.
- Resolution: The monster is defeated—or not. The resolution can be a triumphant victory, a tragic loss, or a cliffhanger.
Example: It by Stephen King follows this template, with Pennywise the Clown as the monster that terrorizes the town of Derry.
3. The Descent into Madness
Plot Structure:
- Setup: A character begins to experience strange phenomena—either real or imagined—that cause them to question their sanity.
- Rising Action: The character’s grip on reality starts to slip as the phenomena become more intense and disturbing. They may become isolated or begin to distrust those around them.
- Climax: The character reaches a breaking point, where the line between reality and madness is completely blurred. They must confront the source of their fear, which may be internal, external, or both.
- Resolution: The character either succumbs to madness, finds a way to restore their sanity, or discovers a horrifying truth that changes everything.
Example: In The Shining, Jack Torrance’s descent into madness is both psychological and supernatural, driven by the Overlook Hotel’s malevolent influence.
Final Thoughts: How to Write a Horror Novel
Writing a horror story is no small feat, but with the right tools and techniques, you can craft a tale that grips your readers.
Go ahead—explore the darkest corners of your imagination, push your characters to their limits, and create a story that will haunt your readers long after they’ve turned the final page.