Good horror stories are not just about scares and horrifying monsters. To write a good work, it is necessary explore palpable fears to create a terrifying atmosphere — that convinces the reader that she is terrifying.
This may not be such a simple task. In an interview with CNN the best-selling author Riley Sager renowned in the literary universe of horror, spoke more about how he thinks about his works, giving tips for those interested in writing good stories in the genre.
The author published a new work in Brazil in September. Titled “The Hope Family Massacre” features a plot inspired by a 19th century true crime, as well as drawing on some influences from Sager’s works, such as Mike Flanagan, another horror star. In addition to this, he owns the books “The House on the Other Side of the Lake” and “The Survivors”.
How to build a good horror story
Inspirations
Some of horror director Mike Flanagan’s most popular works feature houses and mansions as major protagonists in the story. This is just one name on Riley Sager’s list of inspirations. He also emphasizes that he uses other works of the genre to inspire him — and that this can be essential for a good plot.
“He is very, very good. ‘The Haunting of Hill House’” was a fantastic show. ‘The Fall of the House of Usher’ was really, really good. He is excellent at creating tension, surprise and giving a sense of dread. When I watch any horror work, I try to learn lessons from all of them”, comments the professional.
“I like to really sit down and think analytically. How are they doing this? How are they scaring me now? And what lessons can I apply to my books to do the same thing for readers? That’s how I get into it,” explains Sager.
The source of the author’s inspiration comes precisely from works he watches and real-life cases.
“I’m usually inspired by movies or real-life cases. But usually when I get inspiration, I’ll be watching a documentary. I’ll see it and think, this would turn into a great book.”
“Everything has been done before”
Riley Sager highlights that it is important to think that there are few original ideas today. “Everything has been done before,” he says. “One thing I do particularly well is that I don’t necessarily try to come up with original ideas. I I try to build on what came before . When you think about what came before, it comes with its own set of expectations. And then I can use them to apply to the works.”
According to Sager, you can also look at what has already been done and think about how you can use that to surprise readers and give them something completely new and different. “It’s always trying to have a conversation with the reader because I know my readers have read a lot of things before and so they know what they’re getting into.”
“And then my job is to deliver some of that and then give them more than they think they’re going to get.”
The plot twist
Riley Sager is well known for his plot twists, that is, unexpected changes in the story for the reader. Other classic authors of the genre, such as Agatha Christie and Joël Dicker, also use this device to hook the reader.
On how to construct a good plot twist, Riley advises: “It’s always a matter of playing with the reader. You have to be fair, you have to plant clues along the way, but you also have to be very good at hiding the truth.”
“Sometimes I drop hints along the way, sometimes I reveal things a little early. But sometimes there is a great mystery that is kept until the final pages”, he reveals.
“What I try to do with all my books is come up with a big twist very early on. When I start a book I invent the plot, the character, the location and the time period. What’s the twist? Sometimes I like to think about a big twist and then an even bigger plot twist. That’s where the best directions for stories come from,” he adds.
However, it is essential to think that the twist needs to be “plausible”. “I think the key to a good plot twist is, yes, surprise, but also making it relatable, making it not so far away that it couldn’t realistically happen,” says Riley Sager.
Message for beginners in the world of horror
Regarding what he would say to a beginning horror writer, Riley emphasizes not to give up when there are obstacles along the way, but that the middle is not an easy task.
“This is a very difficult business to get into and it comes with a lot of ups and downs, a lot of rejection. People are surprised to hear this. By the time I got a literary agent, I had already been rejected by 100. I’m still with her now and, you know, I’m an international bestseller now, so weird things can happen. It’s just that it requires a lot of hard work and a little luck. Me, I benefited from some lucky breaks along the way”, concludes the actor.
This content was originally published in How to build a good horror story? Best-selling writer gives tips on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m Robert Neff, a professional writer and editor. I specialize in the entertainment section, providing up-to-date coverage on the latest developments in film, television and music. My work has been featured on World Stock Market and other prominent publications.
