Learning how to write psychological horror is not only helpful for this sub-genre, but can help you write more fully fleshed-out characters in any genre. If you’ve read Stephen King’s, The Shining, you know what psychological horror is.
You may have personally experienced the thread of horror throughout a novel, and now you want to learn how to create the same visceral experience for your readers.
In this blog, I share thirteen steps for how to write psychological horror your readers will gravitate to. So, if you’re ready to delve into the specifics of what makes these novels so scary, let’s get started.
Psychological horror: what you learn
- What makes a psychological horror?
- How do I write psychological horror?
- How do I write disturbing horror?
- How do I write a psychological thriller plot?
What makes a psychological horror?
A psychological horror is a sub-genre of horror that capitalizes on using both psychology and emotion to scare readers. Horror in and of itself is frightening for a variety of reasons.
However, psychological horror uses elements of, you guessed it, psychology and emotion to manipulate you into a state of fear. When readers choose to engage with this book genre, chances are high that they know what they are getting into and are eager for the thrill.
Some readers simply love suspense and thriller so much that they want to edge even deeper into the genre, thus entering psychological horror. If this is you and now you want to write it, or you have tried it before and want a more in-depth guide, this post is for you.
How do I write psychological horror?
When writing, it’s crucial to meet certain genre expectations commonly associated with psychological horror. Meeting these expectations will ensure your readers close the book feeling satisfied, rather than disappointed. There are thirteen specific ways to help you effectively write in this genre while meeting expectations.
1. Choose the mental journey for your reader
Now that you have settled on which genre to write, it’s time to create a mental journey for your reader. You may think the mentality of your novel is for your protagonist, but remember, writing is about putting the reader first.
To best serve your reader, choose where you want them to start their journey reading your novel. Do you want them to feel a sense of safety, tinged by foreboding? As they reach the climax maybe you want them to be truly scared. Then, as you resolve the novel, what lesson do you want them to walk away with?
This could be simple or profound. In The Shining, the lesson speaks to how disfunction can destroy families. The movie Get Out satirically tackles the theme of race relations in contemporary America.
2. Identify the emotion you want readers to feel most
What you settle on for your book title can help you identify the core emotion you want your reader to experience throughout the experience. Consider the film, Shutter Island.
Throughout its runtime, there is a growing feeling of confusion. What is reality, and what is false? Is the protagonist shuttered into his own mind?
While you don’t have to complete this step prior to writing, it can help you as you build out your scenes and list of supporting characters.
3. Settle on an unreliable narrator
Next up, choose your protagonist. Much of psychological horror relies on an unreliable narrator (ironic, right?). This plays into the unsettled feeling so common in this sub-genre.
You can choose to delve into the psychology of your character here as well. How does their past influence their present? What choices have been made against them that impact how they see the world?
Everyone has a unique vantage point based on their own family of origin and experiences. Use these same elements to create compelling characters who feel real, but perhaps untrustworthy.
Remember, as a character, an unreliable narrator does not always purposefully mislead audiences. Often, they simply lack the facts or knowledge to adequately assess a situation.
4. Create a unique setting
The setting you choose for your psychological horror goes a long way in establishing the overall tone of your story. To reference Shutter Island once more, the setting directly speaks to the psychological element of the story.
However, you don’t need to be this overt if you don’t want to. Instead, try creating a setting that contradicts your plot. For example, maybe your psychological horror is about a serial killer who never experienced the love of her parents.
You choose to set your story in an urban neighborhood in sunny Florida. This contradiction will create even further unease for your readers. The dissonance between what is expected by the setting and experienced in the plot will be profound.
5. Mix and match plot points
Similar to your setting, feel free to play around with plot points. Include plot points that will satiate your readers’ genre expectations. You may want to also include plot points uncommon to the genre (for example, a romantic sub-plot).
6. Establish your character arc
While psychological horrors don’t always have a dramatic character arc, do consider the positives of including one. When doing so, consult psychologists for help with what is and is not a credible way to go.
For example, it’s highly unlikely someone diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) will be an empath by the last page. That said, you could still seek to create a small aspect of redemption in their arc.
7. Articulate plot points
You now have much of the planning work completed. You can always do more research and planning, but it’s time to get to writing. I find it helpful to use the standard three act story structure as a launching point for the plot.
Essentially, I ask myself:
- Where do I want my story to start?
- What is the key element my protagonist is working toward?
- How do I want my story to end?
Once I establish these three points, I can simply fill in the rest as I go.
8. Use senses to create visceral scenes
Using the five senses is a critical aspect of good storytelling and no less crucial for psychological horror. Your characters can hear the wind screaming. They can taste the dust in the air. They can see the dark figure stepping from the shadows. They can smell the black smoke. They can touch the slippery handle.
9. Avoid clichés
Look up book categories on Amazon and read through the various descriptions on the Amazon details page. Notice the plot points that repeat. Next, consider the various psychological horror genre expectations you want to meet.
Finally, do your best to take an outside look at your writing thus far. Are you writing in such a way that you fulfill expectations but aren’t resorting to clichés?
Jump scares, ghosts under the stairs, women fleeing in high heels…these are clichés. Consider how you can make your psychological horror spellbinding without them.
10. Work your protagonist into a corner
Of course, like most great stories, there needs to be a point where your protagonist has no way out. This is particularly true for psychological horror. If you think about the movie Split, there is a point in which the protagonist has no way of escape. This forces her to use her mind to think of a way to work with what she has in order to escape.
Don’t be afraid of forcing your hero into a scary corner (even literally!). This is where your prowess as writer gets to shine as you find a way out.
11. Play with tension
Tension in psychological horror can be a through line, as can suspense and intrigue. If you think of the film The Quiet Place, tension is heavy throughout. However, there are plenty of action scenes created from jump scares.
If you want an example of how to use jump scares in a way that enhances your story rather than as a cliché, you may want to watch the sequel to the film.
12. Remember what drew you to this genre
It takes a certain type of author to successfully craft a psychological horror, but there’s a reason you are drawn to the genre. I believe that part of what makes a great storyteller is the reason why they write.
Writers write for love of the craft, but often there is a deeper reason as well. If you can articulate your why, to quote Simon Sinek, this will help your psychological horror take on a unique tone all your own.
13. Read psychological horror
Don’t forget to read the best books in this genre for inspiration and help. The best writers are usually prolific readers. You can start with well-known authors such as Stephen King and Frank Peretti, but don’t forget to round your reading list out with lesser-known titles as well.
How to write disturbing horror?
Psychological horror can be disturbing to some readers. It’s important to craft your horror in such a way that you are both creative yet true to the psychological struggles some people face.
When writing in a genre that can at times be disturbing, be sure to do your due research, seek out professional advice on difficult topics, and remember the humanity innate to each character.
How to write a psychological thriller plot?
If you decide to switch from a psychological horror to a psychological thriller, focus more on tension rather than fear. Horror is known for its vice-gripping terror, while thrillers usually take readers on a tension-heavy journey. You can use the same thirteen steps above, simply fine-tuning them to thriller.
Psychological horror: take your next step
Ready to publish your own psychological horror? Take our Free Publishing Path Assessment to discover what author journey is best for you!
