Essential Questions Answered Heather Sykes

–How do authors hook and hold readers in the horror genre? Some of the elements of a good horror novel: Suspense - People want to be kept on the edge of their seats, wondering what will happen next. A fast-paced, action-packed story. Just the right amount of gore. Too much unnecessary violence and people get turned off of the story; the same applies for too little. A good, unexpected twist ending. No one wants an obvious ending – that’s boring. [“How to Write Today's Horror” writing- world.net]

–How might authors try to steer you towards an obvious answer to a question, only for that answer to be revealed as untrue? By introducing a character who seems like the perfect villain, and then killing that character off [As in The Cobra Event by Richard Preston] By revealing that Something or everything you thought was true from the get-go, really isn’t true at all [Scream 3, Randy]

–How do Science Fiction writers persuade their readers? By introducing morals, to get a strong emotional response from their audience. [As in Prey By Michael Crichton] By putting characters in a tense emotional situation or dilemma where both sides are explained, so readers will be swayed one way or another [as in Bag of bones by Stephen King]

–What is the relationship between horror and truth? Some horror novels are based on true events or experiences, or build off of true events to create a chillingly plausible scenario. [As in Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton and Velocity by Dean Koontz]

–What truths are best communicated through the science fiction genre? We still don’t know what the heck we’re doing when we go poking around in things we don’t understand. [As seen in Jurassic Park.] Despite, or perhaps because of, how advanced we are, we don’t realize the mistakes we’re making until they’re made and the damage is done. When we make mistakes, we make BIG ones. [As in The Lost World by Michael Crichton]

–How will the science fiction/horror books of today affect how we write science fiction/horror in the future? AS WE MAKE NEW DISCOVERIES, SCIENCE FICTION AND HORROR WRITERS WILL BUILD ON AND BUILD OFF OF THOSE FINDINGS, CREATING WORLDS AND SITUATIONS THAT ARE EITHER PLAUSIBLE OR POSSIBLE, DEPENDING ON THE COURSE HISTORY TAKES IN THE FUTURE. [“Writing a novel – Science Fiction” Suite101.com]

What is it about science horror that keeps readers captivated? –HORROR SPEAKS TO THE MOST PRIMAL EMOTION IN US - FEAR. EACH NEW, WELL-WRITTEN HORROR NOVEL IS AN ADRENALINE RUSH WAITING TO HAPPEN. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS CRACK OPEN THAT BOOK. [“Directory of Horror Links” horrorgenre.net]

Why would authors of science fiction/horror books choose to write these books? –THEY LOVE WRITING HORROR, FOR ONE. AND FOR TWO, AGAIN, THEY WANT TO INSTILL FEAR IN OUR MINDS, GETTING US EXCITED AND ON EDGE So THAT WE'RE THIRSTY FOR MORE. [The Top 20 Greatest Horror Writers of All-time - Mania.com]

Sources The Top 20 Greatest Horror Writers of All-time - Mania.com “How to Write Today's Horror” writing-world.net “Writing a novel – Science Fiction” Suite101.com [“Directory of Horror Links” horrorgenre.net The Cobra Event by Richard Preston Jurassic park, The Lost World, Prey by Michael Crichton Velocity by Dean R. Koontz Bag of bones by Stephen King Scream 3