Horror short stories come in many shapes and styles. Some follow traditional story structures while others experiment with unorthodox forms.
But an aspiring writer has to start somewhere. This guide explains some of the most common story structures used in horror.
First Question: Are You a Plotter or a Pantser?
You might find it helpful to map out the structure of a horror story before you start writing it. Many writers do this. They build the bones first and then add the meat.
Alternatively, you might be one of those writers who likes to dive into a story without a clear plan in place, just to see where it takes you.
To put it differently, you might be a plotter or pantser…
- Plotter: A plotter is a writer who outlines their story in detail before they begin writing. They might create detailed character arcs, plot points, and a complete storyline.
- Pantser: A pantser is a writer who “flies by the seat of their pants.” They dive into the writing process without a detailed plan, discovering the story as they go.
There’s a “hybrid” approach as well, where you map out the basic structure but leave plenty of room for creative detours. I go back and forth, using whichever method feels right at the time.
That’s the great thing about horror short stories, versus novels. The shorter form makes it easier to experiment. You can try different methods to see what works, revising the work as needed.
Even so, you have to think about story structure at some point. Whether you do it before, during, or after the first draft is up to you. But it must be done.
Key Differences Between Short Stories and Novels
When it comes to structure, short stories and novels have some major differences.
Novels are longer, obviously. But there’s more to it than just that.
- Short stories often revolve around a single, focused plot point. The plot is usually linear and moves swiftly toward a climax. The climax happens close to the end, often with very little falling action. Get in, get it done, and get out.
- Novels can have multiple plotlines, subplots, and character arcs. The plot is often more complex and can take longer to unfold. Novels often follow a three-act structure (beginning, middle, end), with multiple plot points and peaks of tension.
A horror short story is a concise, self-contained narrative that typically ranges from 1,500 to 10,000 words. It focuses on a single plotline, a limited number of characters, and usually just one or two main ideas/themes.
Here are some of the ways short stories differ from novels:
1. Limited scope
The plot usually focuses on a single event, a conflict, or a pivotal moment in the character’s life. There’s not much room for subplots or complex backstories. The narrative must stay focused.
2. Tighter pacing
The shorter format requires an economy of language, with little to no filler. Each scene drives the story forward until it reaches a climactic moment. In a short story, the climax comes much quicker than it does in a novel, often within a few pages.
3. Character sketches
Characters in short stories are sketched quickly but vividly. The author might only reveal a few key traits or actions to help us understand the character’s motivations. In horror, the character’s psychology often shapes the story’s mood and direction.
4. Punchier delivery
The brevity of the form often makes short stories emotionally or atmospherically intense.
Short horror fiction delivers an unsettling punch that lingers on after the last word.
5. Less resolution
Short fiction doesn’t have the space to gradually wind down the story and tie up the loose ends. They leave the reader with a powerful impression rather than a neat closure. Horror stories often end with a twist or a shocking revelation, with some degree of ambiguity.
Rather than creating a detailed vision the way a novel does, a horror short story aims to deliver a snapshot—a single, powerful event in the life of a character.
The Basic Structure of a Horror Story
In the next section, we’ll explore some of the structural variations you can use when writing a horror short story. But first, let’s look at the basic model for the short form.
Most horror stories use the same basic narrative structure, which looks something like this:
1. The Hook (Introduction)
- Grab the reader’s attention in some way.
- Introduce the main character and the setting.
- Establish an unsettling tone or hint at danger.
- Set the scene with vivid, sensory descriptions.
- Provide a glimpse of normalcy but foreshadow horror.
Example: A woman moves into a seemingly idyllic old house but notices a cold spot in one room that never seems to go away.
2. The Inciting Incident
- Introduce the event that disrupts “normal life” and sets the story in motion.
- Present something mysterious, threatening, or unnatural.
- Create a sense of curiosity and dread for the reader.
- Increase the stakes for your main character.
Example: The woman finds a diary hidden under the floorboards, describing gruesome events that happened in her home decades ago.
3. The Rising Tension
- Unsettling events become more frequent, intense, or unexplainable.
- The character becomes more fearful or paranoid, or resorts to denial.
- The danger grows and becomes even more of a threat.
Example: She starts hearing whispers at night. The diary’s entries seem to predict her actions. Objects in the house begin to move on their own.
4. The Climax (Confrontation)
- The climax represents the story’s peak moment of horror or danger.
- The protagonist comes face-to-face with the source of the terror.
- It often leads to a life-or-death situation or similar struggle.
- The climax might involve a shocking twist or reveal (especially in horror).
Example: The woman discovers the “whispers” are voices from a hidden crawlspace containing the remains of victims. The house itself seems alive and determined to trap her.
5. The Resolution (Aftermath)
- Conclude the story while leaving a lingering sense of fear or unease.
- The protagonist either escapes, succumbs, or survives with lasting scars.
- Provide closure but allow for ambiguity. Let it linger in the reader’s mind.
- A twist ending or final scare can leave a strong impression.
Example: The protagonist escapes the house but later sees her reflection in a mirror and realizes the house has marked her. She’ll never be truly free.
Remember, short stories are much more compressed than novels. Story writers have to progress through these stages quickly. It takes practice!
10 Structural Variations to Consider
There’s really no right or wrong way to structure a short story, as long as it maintains the reader’s interest and doesn’t confuse them.
When people sit down to read a horror story, they know they’re making a short-term commitment. They also know that short story writers experiment more than novelists do. In fact, that might be part of the reason why they read short stories in the first place.
When compared to novels, short stories offer more room for creative risk-taking. Writers can experiment with unconventional structures without the pressure of sustaining it for hundreds of pages. They can push boundaries and try something new.
Despite this malleability, beginning writers should understand some of the common structures found within short stories. Here are eight of them.
1. Linear Narrative
“Linear” means that the story progresses from start to finish in chronological fashion, without any major detours. You could draw a straight line from the beginning of the story to the end. It’s arguably the easiest structure for novice writers to master.
2. Character Study
The story focuses on an in-depth exploration of a single character, rather than a complex plot. The goal is to reveal something significant about the character, such as their psychological state or moral dilemmas. A lot of “literary” horror stories use this structure.
3. Circular Structure
The story ends where it begins, creating a sense of cyclical inevitability. The character or world might only change slightly from start to finish. But the cycle emphasizes repetition or fate.
4. Epistolary Structure
With this model, the story unfolds through a series of documents like letters, diary entries, emails, or text messages. This structure allows for multiple perspectives and creates a sense of immediacy, as if the writer is watching the events unfold in real time.
5. Flash Fiction
These are extremely short stories (usually under 1,500 words) that focus on brevity and impact. They’re often structured around a single image, moment, or thought. The Deadlands story project is built around flash fiction.
6. Frame Story
With this narrative technique, the main story is told inside of another story. Examples include The Princess Bride and The NeverEnding Story. It creates a nested structure. The “framing” portions usually appear at the beginning and end and provide context for the main story.
7. Single Incident
These stories revolve around one key event, with limited backstory or world-building. In a horror short story, the “incident” might involve a character’s struggle to survive or the revelation of a threat.
8. Snapshot or Slice of Life
This story captures a brief moment in time, with a strong emphasis on mood, atmosphere, or a character’s internal state. Rather than developing a full narrative arc, it offers a “slice of life” feel.
9. Twist Ending
These stories build toward a shocking or surprising ending that changes the reader’s understanding of everything that came before. The original Twilight Zone series was famous for its twist endings and offers great inspiration for horror writers.
10. Experimental or Unorthodox
In a short story, you can get away with things that probably wouldn’t work in the longer novel format. So feel free to experiment. I once wrote a “story” in the form of a pharmaceutical TV commercial that listed a long series of bizarre and horrifying side effects. Why not?
Some Parting Words About Originality
These are not the only ways to structure a horror short story. Other methods and formats exist. But when you’re first starting out, it might help to stick with one of the traditional structures.
And don’t confuse the word “structured” with “formulaic.” Even if you use one of the traditional models, you can still create a unique and original story.
You’re just doing it in a way that makes sense to the reader.