Horror often involves a creature (vampire, werewolf) or a possessed person, common thing or unusual object. It is often set in certain places where darkness literally sets the mood. I’m talking about dimly lit rooms, basements, cellars, woods or castles. It can also include caves or other places where “it” hides. But there may be more than one.
The basic formula is that whatever “it” is may be someone you know or some supernatural being or possessed object. Generally, there are a few strange things or events that are brushed off as imagination or someone is found dead. Law enforcement gets involved and little by little, “it” is identified. Or, it lives in your home. It could some strange carving you found in an antique shop that comes alive and attacks you and/or your family, or a character becomes mentally imbalanced and ‘the voices’ tell him to do bad things. Hopefully, the police and/or his family, realize this before he strikes again and is killed.
Generally, tension is created by having things that attack a town raising the fear factor for everyone. Time is of the essence to stop “it/them” from attacking again. This is contrasted by more level-headed people who prepare to defend themselves or join search parties.
For situations that are in-home, a victim might not be believed at first, especially if they claim a thing came to life and hurt them. This will create anxiety in the victim and concern from the family members who fear for the victim’s sanity. That is, until the attacks continue. Or the family finally gets a look at “it.”
Timing, pacing, a range of emotional reactions, fear, determination. But definitely no buckets of blood, gore or graphic detail. Overcoming and defeating evil is one story. Saving a person who has gone off the deep end is another, even though he has done horrible things.
Peace,
Ed
