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It is my belief that horror fiction is one of the most misunderstood genres of writing, both by potential readers and particularly by those aspiring to write to same. The impressions and misconceptions that it contains nothing but multiple decapitations, people being possessed and subsequently transformed by supernatural beings or poltergeists hurling objects around a room and absolutely nothing else are all too common.

The reality is of course that horror novels do frequently contain such graphic imagery as described above but to suggest or believe that said events constitute all or even the majority of a quality piece of horror writing is wholly misguided. In order to write an effective horror novel or short story, the writer has to pay particular attention to suspense, probably even more so than to his graphic representations.

The best horror novels all begin with ordinary people going about their everyday lives. We are introduced to the characters in this respect and get to know something about them. This serves to help us appreciate better how and perhaps why they relate to later horrific events in a certain way and perhaps how they influence these events. The writer in the first chapter or two at least should concentrate on his setting and his background and leave the horror aspect of the story - in most instances - until later.

The horrific events which do transpire in many horror stories have a grounding in actions taken or which were not taken by one or more of the characters in the story. If this be the case, the writer should begin his plotting by determining how and why this was the case and ensure that he includes the said actions in the build up that is his first few chapters. Just like any novel, a horror novel tracks a chain of events and circumstances and the reader ultimately has to be satisfied that there were no missing links in the chain and that no loose ends have been left untied.

When it comes to the writing of the horror scenes, the writer has to be very careful that he includes only that which is necessary to the plot of the story. Yes, it is good and even on occasion essential to provide what are frequently gruesome details of someone's hideous demise but gratuitous violence for the sake of it which bears no relation to the story or the events which it portrays will turn even the most blood-thirsty reader off the writer's work.

There are horror novels which have the "happy" ending demanded in other works of fiction and those which don't but what is essential is that the novel does have at least a definite ending. It may be that the writer intends to write a sequel to the novel and clearly wishes to create this impression among his readers. Even in this instance, however, he must ensure that a chapter in the tale if nothing else can be seen to have been closed and that what will subsequently transpire will have to wait for another day.

Learn more about this author, Gordon Hamilton.
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