Everything you need to know about editing a horror manuscript

Editing a horror manuscript can feel a bit like wandering through a haunted house, scared that you’re going to bump into something unexpected. But never fear! This guide is here to be your torch, illuminating the dark corridors of horror editing. So, grab your garlic and your wooden stake, and let's venture into the world of horror!

Understanding the audience

Horror fans love a good scare. They crave suspense, eerie atmospheres, monstrous threats  and chilling plot twists. When editing your horror manuscript, you can ensure your story sends shivers down your readers' spines by focusing on creating a creepy atmosphere, building suspense, and delivering terrifying moments that will haunt your readers.

Story structure and plot

Horror stories thrive on suspense and fear. The plot structure should build tension steadily, with peaks of terror that lead to a climax where characters confront – or succumb to – the source of horror.

Is your hook sufficiently creepy? Does the suspense build throughout the middle? Does the climax deliver a hair-raising resolution?

Character development

In horror, character development often involves overcoming fear or succumbing to it. Pay attention to whether your characters' experiences with the terrifying elements of your story lead to meaningful and consistent transformations.

Language and dialogue

Horror stories often use sensory, evocative language to create a sense of fear and dread. Dialogue should heighten the sense of terror, with characters expressing fear, confusion, or desperation. Remember, you need to create an atmosphere of fear and also keep things clear and understandable for your reader.

When editing, ask yourself: Is your language chilling and atmospheric? Does your dialogue ratchet up the tension and reveal character fears and conflicts?

Theme and message

Underlying themes or messages in a horror story could be exploring the nature of fear, facing death, or tackling the unknown.

As an editor, make sure these themes permeate the narrative, enhancing the eerie atmosphere and terrifying moments, and provoking deeper thought and emotional response from the reader.

Crafting believable world-building and resolution

Believable world-building and a satisfying resolution are vital in a horror story. Your world should be creepy and consistent, and your resolution should provide a satisfying – if not chilling – conclusion to the fear-filled plot.

In your edit, scrutinise your world-building and resolution. Is your world consistent and engaging? Is the resolution a fitting conclusion to the plot? Remember, believable world-building and a satisfying resolution are the keys to a gripping horror story.

The importance of editing in horror

Editing a horror manuscript is like fine-tuning a haunted house – every element must work together to deliver a story that sends chills down the reader's spine. It's about perfecting every plot point, every character moment, and every piece of dialogue until you have a story that leaves readers sleeping with the lights on.

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