A Writer's Guide to Gothic Horror

Who doesn’t love a dark and ominous mix of horror and romance in a story? From the scenery and imagery to the most important themes and how to craft them, we are looking at gothic horror from a writer’s point of view. Dive in with us to discover the finer details of what your story should feature to join the greats like Poe, Bronte, and Stoker.  

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What is Gothic Literature?

This genre is a mixture between horror and romance that focuses on setting a dark scene, often revolving around a big, ancient house that hides something or someone sinister. Another hallmark of the gothic horror canon is instilling fear into the reader while maintaining an air of mystery and playing with themes of trauma and psychology. Some authors even pull from elements of the supernatural to achieve the right balance. 

Classic Gothic Literature Examples

1. Bram Stoker’s Dracula. No list would be complete without Stoker’s vampire tale. We have all heard of it, but if you haven’t read it yet, now’s a great time to take a gander and learn from one of the greats. 

2. Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” is a masterclass in depicting paranoia. Whether you’re looking for a good psychological thrill or wondering how to mystify your reader, Poe’s work is excellent fodder for your own nightmarish creations. 

3. Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. Like us, you probably read this in highschool, wrote an essay on it and forgot about it. But can we talk about it as adults now for a minute? We’ve got a Victorian governess story, a romance between Jane and Rochester and a strong female protagonist. This one is worth a reread after graduation.

4. Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto. Here’s our castle backdrop to a gothic romance. Manfred is the hero of this story from 1764 which many cast as the first gothic novel. The story features an enormous helmet of doom. Unlike Bronte’s work, we don’t see many strong females in this piece. I don’t usually advocate throwing books across the room in rage, but this oeuvre has me rethinking that stance. 

5. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein shows us a fallible scientist hyperfocused on making life. Most of us are familiar with adaptations of this story that, put succinctly, don’t do it justice. It’s a quick read that might just stir up some empathy, and I’d argue we’d all benefit from spreading empathy around. 

6. Ira Levin’s Rosemary’s Baby is set in an apartment complex that is beset by a chain of tragic incidents. Rosemary and Guy move in and things get weird after she becomes pregnant. Fans of suspense won’t want to miss this narrative. 

7. Shirley Jackson places The Haunting of Hill House in an isolated and haunted house with four characters Theodora, Eleanor, Dr. Montague, and Luke. Jackson excels at leaving just enough to the reader’s imagination to keep the haunting strong long after setting the tome back on the shelf. 

8. Wilkie Collins’ The Woman in White is for those of us with long attention spans and keen on the Victorian novel. Count Fosco is the villain in this psychologically twisted tale set in the English countryside. Contemporary readers looking for a strong female lead will be disappointed; this is no Jane Eyre. 

9. Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s Carmilla takes place in the woods of Austria in a lonely castle inhabited by Laura and her sick father. One night, a mysterious woman arrives and befriends Laura. Carmilla incorporates queer romance, vampires, coming of age and more. Don’t miss this one!

10. Ann Rice’s Interview with the Vampire divides readers, some of whom are blown away by her immaculate scene setting and others who were less than impressed with her writing. A dark room, a brooding vampire, and romance are all key ingredients here. Pick up a copy and decide for yourself which camp you belong to!

Contemporary Examples of Gothic Horror

1. Daisy Johnson’s Sisters tells the convoluted story of sisters July and September. Their relationship it dark psychology propels this wild narrative forward. Hold on tight!

2. Elly Griffiths recounts a murder story come to life off the page in The Stranger Diaries. Clare is a professor whose colleague is murdered under strange circumstances. Can Clare make sure life doesn’t imitate art before it’s too late?

3. Laura Purcell’s The Silent Companions follows Elsie Bainbridge, a pregnant widow, who moves into her late husband’s country home with his impoverished cousin. The house harbors secrets that Elsie at first believes to be superstitions, but is quickly drawn into their intrigue and finds herself suspected of murder. 

4. Ruth Ware’s The Death of Mrs. Westaway starts with a mysterious letter delivered to Hal, a tarot card reader, who could stand to benefit from the generous inheritance it details. But there’s been a mistake, and at the funeral, Hal starts to piece together the creepy web she’s become entangled in. 

5. Sylvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic gets the ball rolling with a letter to Noemi from a cousin begging her for help. Unsure what she’s getting herself into, Noemi nonetheless heads off to rural Mexico and the dark, foreboding High Place where her cousin lives. She begins unraveling the mysteries hidden within High Place and just might not leave. 

Conclusion 

After all this brooding over bleak old buildings and ominous settings, you’re probably primed to tackle a gothic horror project of your own. Since we cannot peek over your shoulders and follow your every step (or can we?), we will pace our dark dens and low lit hallways while we wait for you to submit your best work here. 

FAQs

What is the difference between gothic horror and horror?

In order to be considered gothic, a horror story needs to feature several key components. It must involve a romance in some way, should take place in a dark and sinister setting like an isolated house, and create a web of mystery for the reader. Readers are compelled by gothic horror’s unique blend of psychological and paranormal themes, which set it apart from mainstream horror. 

What defines a gothic horror?

Gothic horror is defined by its blend of the eerie and the emotional, a mix of dread, mystery, and beauty. It often features decaying settings like old mansions, monasteries, or ruins, where the past refuses to stay buried. Supernatural elements, psychological tension, and themes of isolation or forbidden desire are common, all wrapped in a darkly atmospheric tone.

Who is the father of gothic horror?

Although the genre actually predates him, Edgar Allan Poe is considered the father of gothic horror. His works embody the genre so well that he is usually the first name to come to mind when gothic literature is discussed.