Tips for writing a psychological horror topic

Tips for writing psychological horror:

Build a strong foundation:

 This means developing complex, relatable characters, creating a realistic setting, and establishing a sense of foreboding.

Explore the dark side of human nature:

 Psychological horror is often about the things that scare us most: our own minds, our own desires, and our own potential for evil.

Use suspense and ambiguity to create tension:

 Psychological horror is less about jump scares and more about building a sense of dread and unease. Keep the reader guessing about what’s going to happen next, and don’t be afraid to leave things unexplained.

Use symbolism and imagery to create a disturbing atmosphere:

 Look for ways to use ordinary objects and situations in unexpected and unsettling ways.

Don’t be afraid to go dark:

 Psychological horror is not for the faint of heart. Don’t be afraid to explore difficult and disturbing topics.

Here are some additional tips:

Use unreliable narrators:

 This can be a great way to create suspense and keep the reader guessing. The reader may not be able to trust what the narrator is telling them, which can make the story even more unsettling.

Focus on the inner workings of your characters:

 What are their fears? Their desires? Their secrets? The more you can understand your characters, the more believable and terrifying your story will be.

Don’t be afraid to experiment:

 Psychological horror is a versatile genre, so there are no hard and fast rules. Feel free to experiment with different styles and techniques to find what works best for you and your story.

Here are some common psychological horror clichés to avoid:

The haunted house:

This is a classic trope, but it can be overused and predictable. If you do choose to use a haunted house setting, make sure to put your own unique spin on it.

The possessed child:

 This is another common trope that can be difficult to do well. If you do choose to use it, make sure to give the child a believable backstory and motivation.

The jump scare:

 Jump scares can be effective, but they should be used sparingly. If you rely too heavily on jump scares, your story will start to feel gimmicky.

The most important thing is to write a story that scares and disturbs you. If you can do that, then you’re well on your way to writing a successful psychological horror story.