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5 Horror Writing Mistakes That Kill Your Chill Factor—and How to Fix Them
- darkholmepublishing
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
Writing horror that truly scares and captivates readers is an art form — and one that many writers struggle to master. If your stories aren’t sending chills down spines or lingering in minds, you might be falling into some common traps. Avoid these five classic horror writing mistakes that kill your story’s chill factor, and discover practical ways to fix them, so you can craft horror that haunts readers long after the last page.
1. Telling Instead of Showing: Why It Drains the Fear
You’ve probably heard the advice “show, don’t tell” in writing circles, but why is it so crucial for horror? Simply telling your readers “She was scared” leaves little room for imagination and emotional investment. Horror thrives on immersive experiences—your readers want to feel the terror through vivid, sensory details and character actions.
How to Fix It:
Use physical manifestations of emotion: trembling hands, shallow breaths, a pounding heart.
Incorporate sensory details—sounds, smells, textures—that evoke fear.
Replace bland adjectives with active descriptions that paint a vivid picture.
Discover our comprehensive Show, Don’t Tell Workshop here.
2. Overexplaining the Horror: Let the Unknown Do the Heavy Lifting
One surefire way to kill suspense is by overexplaining your horror scenes. Readers want mystery and the thrill of the unknown—details spoon-fed to them destroy the tension and leave your story feeling flat.
How to Fix It:
Hint at the terror without spelling it out—use shadows, sounds, and fleeting glimpses.
Leave space for the reader’s imagination to fill in the blanks.
Use ambiguous descriptions that create unease without clarity.
3. Flat Characters Who Don’t Feel Real: Why Readers Need to Care
No matter how terrifying your monsters or situations, if readers don’t connect with your characters, the scares won’t land. Horror hits hardest when readers care about who’s in danger.
How to Fix It:
Develop multi-dimensional characters with clear motivations and fears.
Show how your characters react emotionally and physically to threats.
Give characters relatable flaws and quirks to build empathy or tension.
4. Relying Too Much on Jump Scares: Cheap Thrills Aren’t Enough
Jump scares have their place, but overusing them turns your story into a rollercoaster of fleeting shocks instead of lasting fear. The best horror sticks around in the reader’s mind, haunting their thoughts.
How to Fix It:
Build atmosphere gradually using pacing and sensory detail.
Use subtle hints and foreshadowing to create underlying tension.
Let moments breathe to deepen unease instead of rushing for the next scare.
5. Ignoring the Power of Setting: Make Your Environment Work for You
A creepy setting isn’t just decoration—it’s an essential tool in horror writing. A chilling environment can amplify your story’s mood and give readers a visceral sense of dread.
How to Fix It:
Use setting details that reflect your story’s tone and themes.
Incorporate sensory elements—sounds, smells, textures—to bring settings alive.
Let the environment influence character behavior and plot development.
Final Thoughts: Master the Chill Factor
Avoiding these mistakes is the first step to writing horror that grips readers and refuses to let go. Want to dive deeper? My Show, Don’t Tell workshop offers hands-on exercises, real-world examples, and expert tips to elevate your storytelling.
And don’t forget to grab your copy of Dark Descent: Whispers From Beyond, the anthology packed with over 100 bite-sized horror stories from some of the sharpest voices in indie horror today.
Ready to sharpen your horror writing skills and deliver chills that last? Start practicing these fixes now and watch your stories transform.
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