Well, you need to focus on the atmosphere. Use descriptive language to make the reader feel the coldness, the darkness, and the sense of dread. Also, play with the unknown. Instead of showing the monster clearly, give glimpses and let the readers fill in the blanks. And don't forget about pacing. A horror novel should have moments of tension followed by short breaks to keep the reader on edge.
One key tip is to play on fears that are common among people, like the fear of the dark or being alone. Another is to use vivid and disturbing descriptions. For instance, describe a blood - red moon casting an eerie glow over a desolate graveyard.
Build suspense slowly. Don't reveal the horror all at once. Start with small, strange events like a door that mysteriously opens by itself and gradually increase the tension as the story progresses. Also, develop interesting and complex characters. The reader should care about them so that when the horror strikes, it has more impact. If the character is a single mother trying to protect her children in a haunted place, the reader will be more invested in the story.
First, create a really spooky setting like an abandoned asylum or a haunted forest. This immediately sets the mood. Second, develop interesting and diverse characters that readers can relate to, so they feel more involved in the story. Third, have multiple endings, some really terrifying and others with a bit of a twist. For example, in one ending the main character could be devoured by the monster, while in another they could outwit it but at a great cost.
One tip is to focus on creating a truly menacing atmosphere. Use descriptive language to set the scene, like 'The old, creaking house was shrouded in a thick fog that seemed to seep into every crack.' Another is to develop complex and relatable characters. When readers care about the characters, they'll be more scared for them. Also, don't be afraid to play with the unknown. Leave some things to the reader's imagination, it can be far scarier that way.
Read a lot of novels to understand different styles and structures. Start with an outline to organize your thoughts. Find a quiet and inspiring place to write.
Writing a novel is a creative activity. There are many techniques and tricks that can help improve your writing skills. Here are some tips for writing:
Decide on the basic elements of the story: Before you start writing, you must determine the basic elements of the story such as the protagonist, enemies, goals, conflicts, etc. These elements should be clear and help to build the plot and advance the story.
Keep it simple: Keep your novel as simple as possible. Using short sentences and simple words can make the story more lively and interesting.
3. Practice writing: Practice writing is the key to improving the level of novel writing. Through continuous writing, one could become familiar with the use of language and the construction of plots.
4. Stay coherent: Keep the plot coherent during the writing process. To avoid logical loopholes or contradictions in the story.
5. Revise repeatedly: Writing a novel is a process of repeated revision. After the first draft was completed, it was necessary to constantly revise and polish the story to ensure that it was logical and coherent.
Creating interesting characters: Creating interesting characters for a novel is the key to increasing the appeal of the story. He wanted the readers to be able to like and pay attention to these characters and worry about their development.
Use appropriate segments: Use appropriate segments to organize the plot and character development of the story. This would make it easier for the readers to understand the plot and characters of the story.
Writing a novel requires constant practice and exploration. By sticking to the above tips, you can improve your writing skills and create more interesting stories.