What are some good elements of horror?

Read books of accomplished horror authors, such as Stephen King, Joyce Carol Oates or David Morall. The story must be realstic, there should be some suspense involved, unnatural events, unexpected twist. Give more importance to disturbing qualities rather than fear factors. Make stories from urban legends or myths. I had read that the story of Mary Shaw from the movie “DeadSilence” was inspired from an old urban legend of Bloody Mary.Try to add details that can create fear in the readers heart.

Element of surprise, spark of originality, but above all, true horror ignites a fear long since dormant in our subconcious. Great horror makes the fear real/tangible.

Anticipation is always a plus, and subtlety. Let the readers mind think of the consequences of what’s coming.

What are your inspirations?

A Steven King-like story is much different than a Clive Barker story, and both are a far cry from H.P. Lovecraft.

It depends on what kind of horror you are writing.

For “splatter horror” (involving a lot of death and gore), you can make up something that can kill (like monsters, scary aliens or even a lunatic serial killer) and let it/them roam around somewhere (like a city or a house). Your “killing” something can just go around and kill indiscriminately, or is/are aiming at (a) certain victim(s).
If you are into something more psychological, then make up a scenario that is not obviously scary in the beginning, then try to develop the plot into a more horrifying way (for example, your character is in a well-lit room. Suddenly all the light go out. A wind blows into the character’s face, and right after that he/she sees a figure in white seeming to be holding up a knife). It is essential that the character(s) is/are isolated most of the time. They don’t necessarily fear of something scary-at-the-first-sign like the splatter horror theme, but of something less obvious yet potentially horrifying like a teddy bear which can kill at night fall.

But most of all, the element every horror story needs is “the fear”. Whatever you write, try to describe the fear of your character(s) at the story’s events. Make it as realistic as possible so that your readers can feel it with your character(s).

Good luck with your story :)

I’m always more of afraid of what I can’t see or hear (the unknown). The element of suspense keeps you on the edge. The longer you wait to reveal the source of menance, the better.

A missing person or pet. Blood on a stove. In a pot boiling.

Plausibility.

You should read M R James. His stories have ordinary settings; a school room, a church, a boarding house by the sea which makes the horror all the more effective when it does appear.

Surprise, mystery, fear.

Check out this article:
25 Things You Should Know About Writing Horror

I loved some of the elements of horror they used in the old black and white horror films. Lighting techniques creating elongated shadow across the walls were deliciously eerie. They made more usage of camera angle to represent a scene that is slightly off balance, out of focus or oddly morphed by circumstance. The music is an important element. They used to incorporate more moody, melodic, poignant pieces of music that wrapped around one like a velvet cloak, drawing one into the darkly emerging events of both the macabre and human perversion.

I think the element of suspense is one of the most frequently utilized tools still used today. Fearing the unexpected, not knowing, waiting for the shoe to drop. Slow panning is still unsurpassed in the creation of this edge of your seat experience.

Now with all of the CGI capabilities, there are more bloody, surrealistic, explosive, gory, out of this world elements being incorporated.

There is however, also the growing fascination with the supernatural and the concept of documentaries made by ordinary people experience extraordinary things. Personally, I am not too fond of that.

It is the lazy way to make such a film. It lacks creative sensitivity, & synergy of elemental structure. It lacks the artistry and talent of a film maker who has the gene for film making. It robs the audience of artful intelligence. As well, it is nerve wracking with all of the fumbling of the camera amidst the meaningless garble and reactions from those in attendance.

It is effective when scenarios in the film are truly relatable and touch upon a nerve shared by the collective unconscious of humanity. What’s under the bed, in the closet, in the dark? There is a plethora of fears suffused within our species: insanity, imprisonment, being alone, being tortured, being toyed with by a more powerful, malevolent force. Now we have aliens, gory flesh eating Zombies clomping around, leaving a trail of decomposing body chunks behind them as they clamor for fresh human meat. Is this truly artful horror? I see it as an unfortunate side track. Again, it is easy. Being chased throughout the whole film….easy, mundane, a cop out. We need more intelligent horror.

Horror can address situations that are a part of our reality. That is pretty frightening.

I quite honestly feel that horror is in the eye of the beholder. I am sad that so many filmmakers are dropping the ball on some of the techniques prevalent in the 30s, 40s. & 50s. Of course no one is too excited about seeing a bat wobbling on a string. But lights, angles, music, human emotion, even more black and white could once again embellish an industry that I feel is losing sight of the mystery of horror for all the blood, guts and gore in the atmosphere.

@Seek_Kolinahr . . . I have to disagree. All three of those authors use the exact same elements of horror. They only differ, slightly, in the presentation.

Great!! So you’re writing a story on horror. I think the most horror place ever a dark store room & unwanted voices there.