When you think of writing a romance novel, you likely think of images of love, happiness, happily ever after. Romance is a love story, after all, and centers on heartfelt connections. You probably aren’t thinking about the common elements of horror. Horror evokes feelings of fear, suspense, and the spooky unknown.
These genres feel worlds apart at first glance, but there’s a fascinating interplay between these two writing styles that warrants exploration. As authors we can and should learn from the elements of different genres to enhance our work.
Here are five key insights romance writers can gain from horror writers:
1. Building Suspense and Tension
Horror excels at creating visceral feelings of suspense and tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. In a well-written horror novel, the gradual build up of fear keeps the audience waiting for the big moment. In romance, conflict and tension are also essential elements. The reader is waiting on the edge of their seat awaiting that sweet (or spicy) romantic payout. By adopting some of horror’s techniques for building suspense and tension in storytelling, romance writers can grow their ability to hold the reader’s attention.
2. Exploring Fear, Vulnerability, and Emotional Resonance
Both of these genres are deeply emotional, albeit in very different ways. Horror explores the darker side of the human experience, tapping into primal fears, anxieties and intense vulnerability. Romance, on the other hand, explores elements of emotional connection, intimacy, and the vulnerability of relationships. By addressing fear and being willing to explore the duality of the human experience, both light and dark, romance authors will be able to create more relatable and multidimensional characters that deeply resonate with their readers.
3. Mood, Atmosphere, and Setting
Horror writers are known for creating scenes and unique settings that dictate the emotions and fuels the nightmares of their reader. When the heroine is traveling down the abandoned forest road towards the shack in the middle of the storm, that atmosphere and setting is letting the reader know that something is going to happen. It is full of sensory details that evokes fear of the unknown. Will that person in the shack help our heroine or hurt her? What’s in the woods? Is someone following her? Will she get lost? By learning how to build unique settings, romance writers can enhance intimacy and tension that reflect the emotional landscape of their readers.
4. Complex Characters & Embracing the Art of the Villain
No one wants to write a flat character, no matter what your genre. In horror, characters are often driven by their fears or desires. Villains are written in a way that is intensely memorable. They are depicted as embodiments of fear and malevolence, crafted in such a way that they wiggle into the reader’s psyche. But where they really get you is when you start to understand their motivations or backstories. You don’t necessarily need to write an iconic killer into your romance novel to learn from this character development. But understanding how to craft a character who is both relatable and threatening is important. You want an antagonist who is complex – with their own backstory, motivations, and vulnerabilities. By developing your character this way, it will give you more depth for your romance plot.
5. Subtext and Symbolism
Horror frequently employs symbolism and subtext to convey deeper themes, such as the fragility of life or the nature of evil. This allows readers to engage with the story on multiple levels and enhances their emotional connection to your characters. In romance, you can use elements such as internal conflict, setting, and emotional motivations to convey the deeper themes of your story.
Conclusion
While romance and horror may seem like opposites, there’s a wealth of knowledge and creativity to be gained from crossing genre boundaries. Stepping outside your comfort zone can inspire creativity and spark fresh ideas. You don’t have to write dark romance or horror to benefit from some of the same strategies that horror writers use when crafting their novel. By seeking out cross-genre resources, all romance authors can deepen their emotional storytelling, build suspense, develop complex characters, and experiment with new themes and styles.
If you’re a romance writer looking to take your craft to the next level, consider starting with Nightmare Fuel: How To Write Horror that Guarantees Sleepless Nights. You just might find inspiration lurking in the shadows.
