How to Research a Horror Novel: Unearthing Real-Life Horrors for Authentic Writing Inspiration

Are you a horror writer looking to add realism to your stories? Discover how documentaries and real-life experiences can elevate your horror fiction. These are a few of the techniques I employed when writing my first novel, Hysterical. Pre-order your copy now.

Dive into Documentaries: Unearthing Real-Life Horrors for Writing Inspiration

Are you a horror writer seeking to ground your stories in realism? Delving into documentaries and historical records can be a game-changer, offering insight into the darker sides of humanity. Documentaries capture real-life horrors—infamous crimes, disasters, and psychological studies—that inspire deeper, more terrifying narratives. By exploring documentaries focused on serial killers, tragic events, and psychological profiles, writers can create complex characters and authentic stories that evoke genuine fear.

Drawing Psychological Insights from True Crime Documentaries

True crime documentaries provide valuable windows into the motivations behind real-world atrocities. Films like The Ted Bundy Tapes and Making a Murderer reveal chilling psychological nuances that shape individuals capable of heinous acts. Lesser-known documentaries, like The Keepers and Evil Genius, dive into dark narratives that highlight trauma, manipulation, and the reverberating effects of violence on communities. These insights can guide horror writers in crafting layered, multidimensional characters who are both believable and terrifying.

Practical Writing Tip: When translating these documentary insights into your writing, experiment with the “interview” or “found footage” format for character backstory or plot development. This style can lend an air of unsettling realism to your horror fiction.

The Top 3 I used when writing Hysterical:
1. Don’t F**k with Cats
2. Conversations with a Killer: The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes
3. Eli Roth's History of Horror

Exploring the Atmosphere of Horror: Museums of Death and Crime

Visiting museums dedicated to crime and death offers an exceptional, tangible experience for writers eager to explore society’s relationship with violence. Institutions like the Museum of Death in Los Angeles and the Jack the Ripper Museum in London offer preserved artifacts, crime scene photos, and firsthand accounts of infamous cases. These collections are powerful sources of inspiration, presenting visitors with real-world horrors that can elevate a horror novel’s authenticity and atmosphere.

By immersing yourself in these environments, you can absorb details that bring realism to your writing: the sensation of seeing a notorious weapon, the eerie quiet of an exhibit hall, or the haunting stories of lives affected by crime. These elements can be invaluable when developing character motivations, societal fears, and macabre settings that resonate with readers.

Practical Writing Tip: As you explore exhibits, take note of textures, colors, and even sounds to create a multi-sensory experience in your writing. Describing the coldness of metal or the faded color of an artifact can evoke a visceral response in your readers, deepening the sense of dread and suspense.

The Museums I visited when writing Hysterical
1. The New Orleans Museum of Death
2. The Museum of Death in Los Angeles

Reading Manifestos for a Glimpse into the Disturbed Mind

Manifestos and personal writings by those who have committed notorious acts offer unique insights into twisted motivations and psychological complexities. For horror writers, studying the common themes in these documents—such as victimization, anger, and delusions—can help shape villains who feel disturbingly real. The writings of criminals, while deeply unsettling, reveal how trauma and warped self-perception can lead individuals down dark paths, allowing writers to construct antagonists with believable motivations rather than one-dimensional “evil” figures.

Practical Writing Tip: When creating an antagonist inspired by these documents, consider juxtaposing rationality with irrational beliefs. This approach can make characters appear both relatable and monstrous, pushing readers to question the fine line between humanity and monstrosity.

The Manifesto I read when writing Hysterical
Industrial Society and Its Future by Theodore John Kaczynski

Balancing Classic and Contemporary Horror Literature for Inspiration

In horror literature, understanding both the classics and contemporary voices is essential for crafting fresh yet timeless stories. Classic works by Edgar Allan Poe, like “The Tell-Tale Heart,” and Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House, explore psychological horror and delve into the human psyche. These works demonstrate the enduring power of setting, atmosphere, and character conflict in horror.

Modern authors like Stephen King and Paul Tremblay, as well as new voices like Carmen Maria Machado and Silvia Moreno-Garcia, bring fresh perspectives that address current societal anxieties. King’s character-driven horrors and Tremblay’s reality-blurring narratives show how horror can evoke empathy while maintaining suspense. Machado’s and Moreno-Garcia’s works weave cultural and feminist themes into horror, showcasing the genre’s versatility in reflecting diverse experiences.

Practical Writing Tip: Analyze how each author crafts horror that resonates with their era’s fears. By blending classic themes with contemporary anxieties, you can create stories that feel both timeless and relevant.

Top 5 Books I was inspired by when writing Hysterical
1. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
2. You by Caroline Kepnes
3. Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite
4. Haunting on Hill House by Shirley Jackson
5. Turn of the Screw by Henry James

Conclusion: Using Real-Life Horrors to Shape Fictional Fears

Documentaries, museums, manifestos, and literature offer horror writers a treasure trove of authentic details, emotions, and themes that elevate horror fiction. By exploring these sources, writers gain not only story ideas but a deeper understanding of the fears that lurk within humanity. As you craft your next horror story, let these real-life horrors inspire characters, plots, and atmospheres that challenge readers to confront their own fears.

Call-to-Action: Start your research by watching The Ted Bundy Tapes or visiting a nearby murder museum if you can! Have a favorite true crime documentary or museum experience that sparked your writing? Share it in the comments and let’s inspire each other’s horror journeys.