I’ve spent years studying, editing, publishing, and even writing horror, and after my recent Shadows & Ink books, it didn’t take too long for me to realize what to write about next: The Psychology of Horror Fiction. The first draft is done, so it won’t be long now. This book won’t just be about telling scary stories—it’ll be about why they work, how they tap into our deepest fears, and how we, as writers, can use psychology to craft truly unforgettable horror.
I’ve analyzed fear responses, psychological horror techniques, and the way horror fiction has evolved alongside societal anxieties. I’m also exploring how horror helps us process real-world fears, from childhood nightmares to existential dread. This book is designed to be both insightful and practical—giving you the tools to not only understand horror on a deeper level but to use that knowledge in your own writing.
For now, I’d like to share a bit of this with you.
Here are five key ways to incorporate psychological horror into your writing:
🔹 Create Relatable Fears – The most terrifying stories are those that hit close to home. Instead of relying on vague fears like “death” or “monsters,” explore deeply personal anxieties—losing a loved one, being trapped, or losing control of your own body or mind. Make your horror feel personal, and it will resonate more with readers. A lot of classic monsters tropes were symbolic of more personal fears.
🔹 Use Slow-Building Dread – Fear doesn’t always need to be immediate. The most unsettling horror creeps in gradually, building tension with small, eerie details before striking. Instead of relying on shock value, create an atmosphere of unease. Take the readers on a journey which slowly spirals into full-blown terror.
🔹 Play with Perception – Psychological horror thrives on uncertainty. Is your protagonist haunted, or are they losing their mind? Is the town cursed, or are they being manipulated? Keeping readers second-guessing reality makes for an immersive and unsettling experience. There should always be more than just one level to your story.
🔹 Make the Horror Personal – True horror doesn’t just come from monsters—it comes from within. Characters should struggle not just with external threats, but also with guilt, trauma, or repressed emotions. If your protagonist is fighting a demon, make sure they’re also battling their own internal darkness. Your protagonist needs an ARC, and to apply that, you need to know where they start and which aspect of that back story caused this mindset or even worldview. Only then will you know how to challenge them and move their ARC along.
🔹 Let the Fear Linger – A good horror story doesn’t wrap things up neatly. Endings that suggest unresolved danger, lingering dread, or unanswered questions stay with readers, forcing them to process the horror long after they’ve finished the book.
This is just a glimpse into what I cover in The Psychology of Horror Fiction. I’ll share more the closer we get to launch.
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