by Carl Hose

Created on: October 27, 2009

Horror is a genre with many sub genres. One of the nice things about horror fiction is its universal application factor. You can blend horror with any other genre to create something fresh. The old west is a breeding ground for good horror tales. Ghost towns, old mines, American Indian legends, and bloodthirsty gunslingers are just some of the elements that can be used to create something special.

Combining any two genres to create a hybrid genre requires a writer to know a little bit about both genres and to pay each genre the respect it deserves. This couldn't be more clearly demonstrated than it is with the horror/western combination. Each of these genres has a number of conventions that fans of the genre expect. While it's a writer's job to write originally and without cliches, some conventions that border on cliche shouldn't be ignored on a regular basis. This is true of the conventions within the horror and western genres.

As you write your story, pay attention to the details you know fans of each of these genres will expect. You won't be able to please every purist reader, but by writing true to both genres, you will satisfy a good portion of them. Reading a book or two in each of these genres is a good idea for any writer attempting to blend the two. Ideally, you will be an expert in at least one, if not both genres. If this isn't the case, reading is an essential part of the process. When you've done your fair share of reading, it's time to come up with a story.

Ask yourself what you like about the horror genre and which of the old west elements might go with it. What if one of the fastest gunsins the west got that way because he made a deal with the devil? Is there something from another planet slithering around deep inside the abandoned mine outside of town? What is the town doctor doing to patients when he makes a house call? Are the dance hall girls at the saloon something other than human? Asking yourself questions is a good way to kick start your writing engine, especially when trying to bring together elements from two distinct genres.

A final thought about combining horror with the old west: A western novel is also a historical novel. Do your research. The more authentic your writing is, the better it will come across on the page. Glaring mistakes in historic accuracy won't kill your story, but it can be distracting for some readers, and the last thing you want to do is take them away from the story.

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