Modern Technology in Your Horror Writing
In the realm of horror stories, the presence of modern technology can sometimes be a double-edged sword. While it offers new avenues for storytelling, it can also diminish the sense of isolation and vulnerability that is so crucial to the genre.
This blog post explores the creative ways authors can circumvent the pitfalls of modern technology to deliver spine-chilling narratives.
The Challenge of Technology in Horror
The ubiquity of smartphones, GPS, and the internet has made it increasingly difficult for horror creators to craft scenarios where characters are cut off from help or information. The classic trope of a broken-down car in a remote location loses its impact when a character can simply call for a tow truck or look up their location on a map. As a result, writers must find innovative ways to either incorporate technology into the horror or explain its absence.
Strategies for Avoiding Technology
1. Setting Precedence: One straightforward approach is to set the story in a time before the widespread adoption of modern technology. Period pieces not only avoid the issue altogether but also add a layer of historical authenticity that can enhance the atmosphere.
2. Location Isolation: Choosing a setting where technology is unreliable or nonexistent can also be effective. Remote forests, desolate islands, or areas with a known ‘dead zone’ for signals provide plausible reasons for technology’s failure.
3. Technological Failure: Sometimes, the story can involve a scenario where technology fails inexplicably or is sabotaged. This can add an additional layer of mystery and paranoia, as the characters (and the audience) try to understand the cause.
4. Human Error: Characters might forget their devices, have drained batteries, or simply lose their gadgets at crucial moments. This approach relies on believable character flaws and actions to remove technology from the equation.
5. Supernatural Interference: In stories with supernatural elements, it’s possible that the presence of an otherworldly force could disrupt or disable technology, adding to the entity’s menacing aura.
The Impact of Technology on Horror
Despite the challenges, technology can also be used to enhance horror stories. For instance, the fear of surveillance and loss of privacy can be exploited to create a sense of dread. Films like “Unfriended” and “Searching” use computer screens and social media as the primary lens through which the horror unfolds, offering a commentary on our digital lives.
Conclusion
The key to avoiding modern technology in horror stories lies in creativity and a deep understanding of the genre’s roots in fear and the unknown. By employing various strategies to sidestep or integrate technology, writers and filmmakers can continue to deliver terrifying tales that resonate with contemporary audiences. For those interested in delving deeper into this topic, articles such as “The dangers of kids using technology. A modern day horror story we like to tell?” and “An Investigation into the Role of Technology in Horror Movies” provide further insights into the intersection of technology and horror.
Whether through traditional means or innovative storytelling, the essence of horror remains the same: to evoke fear and keep audiences on the edge of their seats. As technology evolves, so too will the methods of instilling terror, ensuring that horror remains a dynamic and ever-changing genre.
© Colin Lawson Books