Classic Horror Lovers discussion

Guido suggested discussing how authors who want to write old school horror are able to do research so that their writing has that authentic feel.

Readers looking for classic-style horror are doing to be discerning to know if something doesn't feel right.

What tips do you have?

My "Jason Dark" supernatural mysteries all play in Victorian England and I found a number of great sources for my research.

First and foremost, the Internet, of course, with its plethora of information. I also scoured the history book section in my local bookstores to see if they had any works on the period and found one or two really helpful books. One of them was "Victoria London" by Liza Picard, which consists almost entirely reprints of letters and notes of people form the time. It gives you a very good impression how people lived during the era.



One often overlooked great research tool is Google's Timeline, which allows you to search news from a certain time period. This way you can search for what was in the newspapers in 1881, for example. To me that is pure gold because it allows me to add details and actual historic events into my stories.

Great information, Guido. Thanks for sharing!

In terms of research in general I do keep a lot of science magazines around, but also there's the net. Because of my own scientific background if I myself don't know a concept well I at least can narrow down where on the net to look for it.

For horror you're either looking into well studied mythologies, psycholoigcal profiles of criminals or just the types of surroundings that induce certain fear-based behaviors from regular people.

One of the things I think that helps is to read one or two novels, not necessarily genre but general/popular, from the time period you're investigating which are contemporaneous with that time (that is to say, a novel from 1890 set in 1890)

And the good news is many of them are free now!

Also, don't overlook the research potential of your local public library, or any local college libraries in your area. They have a wealth of books at your disposal, and again, using them is free!

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "And the good news is many of them are free now!"

Yup, public domain is a beautiful thing!

Thanks for the shout out to libraries Werner. Librarians can help you to find what you might need that isn't readily available on the internet, at bookstores, or in the open stacks in the library.

I really hate research, but I usually do my searches online, and then head to the bookstore to seek out some real, physical books. I write everything down in a notebook and highlight the different, important parts.

You're welcome, Monique! (I'm a librarian myself, so it comes naturally to me.)

I just finished getting my Master's and am looking for an actual librarian job at the moment, but I work for an academic library as an assistant. It really is amazing the kinds of materials one can access in the library. I did a wiki for school on an original first printing of the Malleus Maleficarum which we actually hold here at our library.

I definitely support libraries and librarians. You have made my life worth living. I don't check out many paper books lately, because of my massive owned collection, but I have started getting audiobooks at the library and it's fantastic.

Lady Danielle and Monique, you ladies made my day with your kind words about libraries! And Monique, I wish you all the best with your job search.

The college library where I work has a paperback English translation of the Malleus Maleficarum (but no first edition!). It was recently checked out by a student researching the witch hysteria of that era.

I didn't really do specific research as such in regards to perfecting that "authentic feel". I studied Gothic literature for several years and I suppose the style seeped into my quill over a long period of time. My advice would be to immerse yourself in the literature of yesterday and allow it to bleed slowly into your psyche. Be patient. Do not try and replicate the style, a seasoned reader would see straight through you; rather make it your own. Bend and reshape the language; alter, but do not try and imitate.

Very good advice, Cornelius.

Werner wrote: "You're welcome, Monique! (I'm a librarian myself, so it comes naturally to me.)"

The local library is in my will. Seriously. I win the library nerd contest ;} LOL

Congratulations, MountainShelby; a library nerd is a pretty good thing to be!

I came across The Literary Gothic today. All I can say is, wow!

The most helpful advice I ever received on researching was don't waste time doing what's already been done for you. The above website is an excellent example.

Very good point, Leah!

Leah wrote: "I came across The Literary Gothic today. All I can say is, wow!

The most helpful advice I ever received on researching was don't waste time doing what's already been done for you. The above websit..."

Thanks for the link! Those of us who are more into the fiction/poetry side of the Gothic may find this useful, as well.

I suppose it first all depends on what specifically you plan on writing about. Then you would research by looking up something similar to what your writing about of course you'd be going way way back since it's classic horror to get a general idea. I know when it comes to my horror blog here on Goodreads, Hundred Year Old Horror I research not only through Goodreads ratings and stats but I also look up the person to get an idea of who they were, what they are famous for and I sometimes even go as far to explain why it is that they are still famous and relevant to our society today. The other big important part would be to go to reputable source to which you can get research from.

if you find the book you love then go to its references or its footnotes.this way, one book will lead you to another.