I'm writing a horror novel. I also enjoy doing satire and comedic things in general. Would it ruin the eerie vibe of a horror novel if you do it too much?
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I don't think so. as long as it adds to the story and doesn't detract from it For example, the idea is not that we laugh all the time, but to have our hearts in our mouths and maybe you see something funny and laugh, but without losing that feeling.
I've found actual comedy can enhance horror. It makes things light hearted enough to surprise people by things that wouldn't ordinarily get them. That's why I enjoy my horror with some comedy be it dark comedy or otherwise.
As with all things, its a matter of execution. If somewhere getting hit in the face with a piece, yea that might take me out of things. But black/gallows humor works well, or if you use the humor to juxtapose something terrible happening, it can really highten the emotions. Without an example it's hard to give a more concrete answer than that.
I think it can work. It’s worth identifying the target of your humor. Horror/comedy often functions as parody, so it’s best to define what you might be satirizing.
I’m writing a mystery between a vampire and a human that has a romance sub plot. We have a lot of gallows humor. Grief both of people and of expectations people had about their lives are themes in my book and both my main characters use humor to lighten and deflect the hard topics that come up.
For my friends and family it’s pretty natural to face really difficult life changing situations with humor so it feels natural to have my characters to it too. I could tone it down in a later edit tho. I’m still just trying to push the story out till it has a full ending
I think it depends on the kind of horror. It works well in "Scream" but I doubt it would fly in a HP Lovecraft story. Cosmic Horror aims for an increasing sense of dread and unease, and I fear jokes would ruin the tension.
My opinion: jokes in a shock style horror story, that hinges on ups and downs in tension, but they're hard to include in a "vibes" type story.
I have a book called I Was A Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones that is horror that has comedic/satiric elements. I just briefly flipped through it so far so I can say if it is good but you might want to check it out.
There are a lot of movies that mix horror and comedy so it can be a good combination if executed well.
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I don't think so. as long as it adds to the story and doesn't detract from it For example, the idea is not that we laugh all the time, but to have our hearts in our mouths and maybe you see something funny and laugh, but without losing that feeling.
I've found actual comedy can enhance horror. It makes things light hearted enough to surprise people by things that wouldn't ordinarily get them. That's why I enjoy my horror with some comedy be it dark comedy or otherwise.
As with all things, its a matter of execution. If somewhere getting hit in the face with a piece, yea that might take me out of things. But black/gallows humor works well, or if you use the humor to juxtapose something terrible happening, it can really highten the emotions. Without an example it's hard to give a more concrete answer than that.
The Scream franchise did well.
i personally liked Horrorstor.
I think it can work. It’s worth identifying the target of your humor. Horror/comedy often functions as parody, so it’s best to define what you might be satirizing.
Talking of horrorstor, also Hendrix's Haunted House book was genuinely funny as well as horrifying.
It wouldn't be parody.
Humor let's humans buy into stories quicker if done right.
Set up humor, and it can enhance the horror.
Comedy at inappropriate times would ruin the horror.
I’m writing a mystery between a vampire and a human that has a romance sub plot. We have a lot of gallows humor. Grief both of people and of expectations people had about their lives are themes in my book and both my main characters use humor to lighten and deflect the hard topics that come up.
For my friends and family it’s pretty natural to face really difficult life changing situations with humor so it feels natural to have my characters to it too. I could tone it down in a later edit tho. I’m still just trying to push the story out till it has a full ending
I don't think so. My serial killer novel has tons of dark comedy. The brutal murders work and the dark comedy worms with it.
I think it depends on the kind of horror. It works well in "Scream" but I doubt it would fly in a HP Lovecraft story. Cosmic Horror aims for an increasing sense of dread and unease, and I fear jokes would ruin the tension.
My opinion: jokes in a shock style horror story, that hinges on ups and downs in tension, but they're hard to include in a "vibes" type story.
Nope. Satirical horror is also a thing. First one that comes to mind is Victorian Psycho
Anything can be done if you execute it right. That's the power of writing.
No, it would elevate it
it depends. you can do anything, as long as you do it well
I have a book called I Was A Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones that is horror that has comedic/satiric elements. I just briefly flipped through it so far so I can say if it is good but you might want to check it out.
There are a lot of movies that mix horror and comedy so it can be a good combination if executed well.
Depends on the humor, how much is added, where it's placed
OP, too much of anything can ruin anything.
You have to balance it out so the comedy/joke doesn't override the tension in the scene.
Braindead is one of the greatest horror films of all time so no, it wouldn't.
Be careful, don't take there more of a comedy than horror.
Horror comedy is a thing
For the answer to this question, check out *The Businessman* by Thomas Disch.
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