11 Killer Horror Writing Tips from Stephen King
Want to write horror that makes readers sleep with the lights on?
Stephen King knows a thing or two about that. His stories stick with you, still creeping into your thoughts years after you’ve finished the book or movie.
So, how does he do it? Let’s break it down with some key takeaways on better writing from the master of horror himself.
Stephen King’s Best Horror Writing Advice
Let’s get right into how you can be a better writer through learning about Stephen King’s writing process!
1. Write What Scares You
If it gives you chills, it’ll give your readers chills, too.
King believes that tapping into your own fears makes your horror feel personal.
Maybe it’s the deep ocean, the sound of footsteps behind you at night, or the idea of losing your mind.
Whatever it is—lean into it. Your fear is fuel.
Example: King himself was terrified of childhood bullies, which inspired the terrifying Henry Bowers in It.
2. Don’t Over-Describe
Too much detail kills suspense.
King keeps his descriptions sharp and minimal, letting the reader’s imagination do the heavy lifting.
Horror is all about what’s implied—the things lurking in the shadows, just out of sight.
Example: In Pet Sematary, King doesn’t fully describe the resurrected cat’s eerie transformation – he just lets the unnatural silence and glowing eyes do the work.
3. Let Your Characters Drive the Story
Good horror isn’t just about the scares—it’s about the people experiencing them.
King spends a lot of time developing his characters, making sure they feel real before throwing them into terrifying situations. The more we care about them, the more we’ll fear for them.
As Stephen King notes in On Writing, “Stories are found things, like fossils in the ground… The job of the writer is to give them a place to grow.”
Example: In The Shining, Jack Torrance’s descent into madness is terrifying because we see his struggle as a flawed but well-meaning father.
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4. Engage the Senses
Horror isn’t just about what we see—it’s about what we hear, smell, taste, and feel.
King excels at pulling readers into his worlds by making them experience the terror firsthand.
Example: In Misery, the crunch of Paul Sheldon’s shattered legs being “fixed” is more horrifying than any visual description.
5. Plot with a Loose Grip
King famously doesn’t outline. He lets his stories evolve naturally, following his characters wherever they lead.
In On Writing, Stephen King states, “I distrust plot for two reasons: first, because our lives are largely plotless… and second, because I believe plotting and the spontaneity of real creation aren’t compatible.”
That said, he always writes with intention. Whether you’re a plotter or a pantser, know the heart of your story—why it matters—and build from there.
Example: King started The Stand without a clear plan, letting his characters shape the post-apocalyptic world.
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6. Rewrite, Then Rewrite Again
First drafts are messy. King says the real magic happens in revision.
Cut the fluff, tighten the tension, and make every sentence count. If a scene doesn’t serve the story, kill it (even if it hurts).
As King himself says in On Writing, “when you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story”
Example: King rewrote Carrie multiple times – and almost threw it away – before it became his breakout novel.
7. Keep Them Turning the Pages
King is a master of suspense. He ends chapters on cliffhangers, drops shocking twists, and keeps tension simmering.
If you want readers to need to know what happens next, make every chapter an invitation (or a dare) to keep going.
Example: Salem’s Lot builds dread with short, punchy chapters that compel you to read just one more page.
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8. Surprise Your Reader
Predictability kills fear. The best horror stories keep readers guessing.
Subvert tropes, mislead expectations, and don’t be afraid to shock your audience.
King discusses subverting expectations in Danse Macabre, where he emphasizes terror as the highest form of horror because it relies on imagination and unpredictability.
Example: In It, Pennywise isn’t just a clown – he becomes whatever his victims fear most, making each encounter unpredictable.
9. Don’t Hold Back
Horror should feel dangerous. If you’re hesitant about pushing boundaries, your readers will sense it.
King never shies away from the brutal, the unsettling, or the deeply personal. Neither should you.
Example: Gerald’s Game forces readers into the deeply disturbing reality of psychological trauma.
10. Know Your Audience
Who are you writing for?
Psychological horror fans want slow-burning dread. Slasher fans crave action.
Understand your audience to deliver the most effective scares.
Example: While King doesn’t explicitly state this advice in his writings or interviews, his body of work shows an understanding of tailoring stories to different audiences — Doctor Sleep leans into psychological horror, while Christine thrives on supernatural thrill.
11. Take Feedback Seriously
King collected rejection slips before becoming a legend.
Criticism isn’t failure—it’s growth. Listen to feedback, but don’t lose your voice in the process.
Example: Early publishers rejected Carrie, but King learned from their critiques – and it became his first bestseller.
in the end, Stephen King doesn’t just write horror—he lives it.
He trusts his instincts, explores the darkness, and never shies away from what scares him.
If you want to master horror, take his advice—but more importantly, find your own voice. Because at the end of the day, the scariest stories are the ones only you can tell.
