The collective consciousness of society is shaped by social and technical factors, which naturally has an impact on the storytelling around us. Some type of evil appears in all horror stories, but this concept is continuously redefined with each cultural or socioeconomic advancement. What we see now is the technological advancements taking the center stage in the waves of horror genre. As horror is culturally shaped, this development makes it interesting to explore how our anxieties are and can be portrayed in technological horror stories.
Although, writing doesn't come easy, even for seasoned writers. Creating a good story is a task many of us struggle with, a skill that takes years to develop. So, if you're a writer who wants to get a grasp of writing a technological horror story, in this post, we will give you some tips on how to go around creating a good, engaging storyline.
The scientific horror story that feels real
The science horror genre, sci-fi for short, blends science fiction's concept with the horror genre's heart-pounding terror. Over the years, the genre has produced a slew of intriguing tales and science horror stories have been gaining momentum even more recently. However, there are a lot of uncharted territories here and many stories waiting to be told. So, tap into your imagination in this genre that offers a blank slate to work with.
The best ideas for a science horror story will come from you. And naturally, you will care more about writing down the ideas that are yours. They will be the easiest to bring to life since they are the concepts that you care about the most. Although, keep in mind that science horror, just like any other genre, needs an emotional core. The more developed the story and the characters, the deeper is the reader's engagement.
What is the link between technology and the horror genre?
As we get increasingly entwined in the web of social media, the horror genre grows to be infused with the horrors of technology. In recent years, fiction writers have attempted to establish the computer screen as the dominant narrative setting. This type of stories show a significantly altered version of the horror genre in the current digital environment. As a consequence, if our current technological anxieties revolve around a loss of control and privacy due to our failure to fully understand the capabilities of modern technology, these fears may easily be turned into a horror narrative. What makes these stories successful is how much of an impact they have on readers. Many of us have imagined about a future in which we lose control of our technical accomplishments as they turn against us. So when these fears are realized, it resonates better with the audience, making it a truly frightful horror story.
In general, the horror genre plays on the audience's fears by creating a story that may be linked to social worries. The traditional horror tropes still hold true, however the newness of the style of technological infusion with the horror genre is piquing the readers' interest. It serves as a constant reminder of how much technology reveals and how much it conceals, and how much of what we think or wish to be private may be exposed in a flash.
How to fuse technology with horror
Suspense is what sets a scientific horror story apart. You make the reader wonder, "What happens next?" by building the drama and instilling uncertainty and anxiety. So, what does this have to do with horror? Fear is instilled in this subgenre by the way readers are lulled into a sense of familiarity by observing acts that we engage in on a daily basis. Each technological advancement results in a replacement or modification of the previous one. As a writer, this offers you the freedom to create a suspenseful environment by playing on our genuine worries about technology. It not only represents a new theme to be explored within the horror genre, but also a new method of presenting this subject.
A protagonist to root for
This aspect goes for every fiction story. Think thoroughly about designing your character. You only have a limited amount of time to show your readers who your main character is, and you won't be able to do so if you have no idea who they are. Explore your characters' interests and motives as the story proceeds. This will make your character feel more genuine, and keep the reader drawn in.
This level of intimacy and proximity to the protagonist allows us to empathize with them while also making us fearful that something terrible might happen to them. Without empathy, no matter how frightening the storyline is, the terrifying events that characters experience later in the story will leave no impact on the reader.
Particularly in the horror genre, the characters do not have to be likeable. However, we must at the very least comprehend their motives. We can't truly connect with a protagonist until we understand their agendas. The more genuine your characters are, the more their mishaps and poor decisions will resonate with an audience.
Find the balance between horror and science fiction
Most science fiction horror stories begin with the science fiction elements before moving on to the horror. It begins by introducing the characters, place, and science fiction elements. The true terror occurs once the reader is firmly planted in this new environment. You may either follow this pattern, reverse it, or start with a combination of the two. It all relies on your narrative ideas. You might also start with the horror part of the story and work your way through the world-building and characters.
When creating a technological aspect of a horror novel, bear in mind that the laws of worldbuilding should be simple to understand for the reader. This is a common mistake that results in a jumbled, messy storyline. Avoid giving a lot of infodumps, especially at the start of the novel. As the story progresses, you may reveal how the technological sides interact with the characters piece by piece.
Mind the pacing
A fast pace is essential for a technological horror story. However, make sure to keep the tempo up. It's critical to keep moving at a quick pace. As the hero approaches the last showdown, the pace usually picks up. If you are working on a shorter, it must throw the reader right into the action from the first page. Although, if you begin your technological horror novel or narrative with a large action section, it will be difficult to go higher from there. As a result, you should tread cautiously here, such that the start is engrossing but not so much that it overshadows the story's climax.
Editing is the key
Most writers go through multiple drafts before the final version is eventually molded together. Don't be discouraged if your first draft doesn't look anything like what you had in mind. This is your time to delve further into your ideas and find out what your story is about.
The second draft is for substantial structural modifications as well as clarification of your novel's narrative and characters. If you're not sure about the structure, you can follow the classic five-stage plot structure: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Begin by setting the scene for the narrative, including any contextual information the reader requires, but most crucially, the inciting event. In the climax, follow up with a major turning point. It's the highest moment of tension, followed by a quiet phase succeeding the climax. And conclude with the story's resolution, which includes tying up of loose ends.
Don'ts
On a different note, don't get lost in too much detail, since this will put the reader off. Give some backstory about how the technological aspects in your story work and touch on their origins, but don't go into great detail. If the layout of the story takes up more space than the plot itself, it is time to rewrite.
Do not spend much time polishing your early drafts as they will be changed over time substantially. Set aside the specifics and concentrate on the overall narrative and framework you wish to present. Once you have the skeleton of the story ready, you can go into the intricacies.
Resist the urge to make things perfect because that isn't your objective right now. Instead, make sure the story is told in its entirety and that it is simple to follow. Continue revising until you have a complete picture of the story in your mind. Even if you read all of the manuals and observe your favorite writers for insider secrets, your writing may not be up to your expectations right away. Practice makes it better. This phrase is overused all the time, yet it couldn't be more accurate in this situation. Continue to write until your story is as captivating on paper as it is in your imagination.
To wrap it up, experiment with various story writing processes, narrative concepts, and tale structures to see what works best for you. Writing a story, no matter the length and the subgenre is a learning process. We all believe that we'll get it right the first time, but that's not how it works. Many drafts, research, several rewrites, developmental edits, and editing go into some of the best writings you enjoy. This is the only way to transform your ideas into a compelling story.