I was surprised by how many of these I’ve actually read. I never considered myself a horror reader but apparently I am. Definitely would love to try writing some horror but have no idea where to begin as someone who writes fantasy.
The great thing about horror is that it's in EVERY genre. There can (and should be) horror in fantasy because they are the villain. How villainous you make them is up to you. Voldemort in Harry Potter (as an example) gives off definite horror vibes even though it is classified as YA Fantasy.
The fact that you write Fantasy means you are PRIMED to write horror just as easily as anyone else. The only genre I can think of where horror might be slightly difficult to pull off is Romance, especially if you are going for a happy ending. Otherwise, every genre can have horror mixed in.
I write fantasy and mystery and YA but all of the are prefaced with horror. So really, I write Horror Fantasy, Horror Mystery, and YA Horror.
I appreciate your encouragement. After reading your post, I started going through my bookshelves and realized, I’ve read a lot of horror. I’m going to revisit my favorites to see if I can get some ideas flowing. Also, can I suggest a short story for your horror study? Butterflies by Samantha Schweblin. Years after reading it, I still think about it.
I was surprised by how many of these I’ve actually read. I never considered myself a horror reader but apparently I am. Definitely would love to try writing some horror but have no idea where to begin as someone who writes fantasy.
The great thing about horror is that it's in EVERY genre. There can (and should be) horror in fantasy because they are the villain. How villainous you make them is up to you. Voldemort in Harry Potter (as an example) gives off definite horror vibes even though it is classified as YA Fantasy.
The fact that you write Fantasy means you are PRIMED to write horror just as easily as anyone else. The only genre I can think of where horror might be slightly difficult to pull off is Romance, especially if you are going for a happy ending. Otherwise, every genre can have horror mixed in.
I write fantasy and mystery and YA but all of the are prefaced with horror. So really, I write Horror Fantasy, Horror Mystery, and YA Horror.
I appreciate your encouragement. After reading your post, I started going through my bookshelves and realized, I’ve read a lot of horror. I’m going to revisit my favorites to see if I can get some ideas flowing. Also, can I suggest a short story for your horror study? Butterflies by Samantha Schweblin. Years after reading it, I still think about it.
A poem that definitely delivers a spooky chill, and one of my favorites: "The Nine Little Goblins," by James Whitcomb Riley.
https://allpoetry.com/The-Nine-Little-Goblins
Thank you for this suggestion! I will add it to the list right away!
This essay made me so happy, I loved it!