Hello, lovelies! I know I've asked this before, but being that it was on Twitter I've lost all the mentions. So it's no secret that I'm writing a YA gothic horror retelling. (Well, the story it's based off of is a secret. muhahaha) Anyway . . . It's my first go in this sub genre and I'm seeking your advice. I'm a huge fan of horror, obviously, but gothic horror is proving to be much different than I anticipated.
Here's where you come in. I want to know what it is YOU love about gothic horror. What is it about the world and mood that you love so much? I want ALL THE DETAILS. I want to be able to look back at this post and really grasp what it is the readers are looking for. So how about it? Tell me what you think!
i think my favorite part of gothic horror is the way the architecture often mirrors the mood--that's more a mark of class/romantic gothic, but i think its still a super important part.
ReplyDeletewhat might be cool is to see you mess with/undermine the classical character archetypes: the virgin/the hero...maybe even the location itself!
i can't wait to read whatever you come up with!
The beautiful imagery that reflects the darkness and light of the characters.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely agree with Lauren. I love how the setting always plays such an important role. The weather, the creepy house/castle (because there's always a creepy house/castle), and how all the action seems to take place only at night, oh, and there always seems to be a monk or a friar or something, right? My most, most favorite thing about gothic romance is the play on the mind and how you don't know what's really real and what's in the character's head. It's fun to play with the unreliable narrator.
ReplyDeleteI did a class on gothic romance when I was in Wales and it was sooo fun! We read The Monk, The Castle of Otranto, and Mysteries of Udolpho.
I always like the menacing male characters in Gothic Romance, or at least find them intriguing. I also like when there are mysteries locked inside the house-- like Jane Eyre's madwoman in the attic.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on your book!
I love the architecture. It sets the mood and tone. I love the romance with spirited heroines and dark handsome men. There is always a mystery to be solve whether it is murder or a haunting. The villain is usually insidious and the setting seems to be placed at night. It usually is foggy or raining. Have fun. I probably repeated a lot from the others but that is all I know. :)
ReplyDeleteI know it sounds odd, but the scenes I've enjoyed most in gothic horror have been A) the scenes which give a real insight into the time in which the novel is set and B) rain. Not sure why specifically, but I love the atmosphere of a large, twisted castle and rain.
ReplyDeleteThe buildings and weather play such a part of the story, and I adore that. I like the dark, broody affair that is usually Gothic horror. It's crushing almost in how much the setting defines what happens. It's the equivalent of the soundtrack in a horror film. I really like that villains can be a bit larger than life in GH too. Everything is a big overdone, covered in moss and makes you a little weary about what's around the next corner.
ReplyDeleteThe mood and atmosphere of a gothic horror is what I love the most. Something about a horror story happening in the past -- back when there weren't as many convinces that can generally solve a lot of problems in a horror -- is just so entertaining. World building is extremely important in a gothic horror. You have to create a vivid world that the reader can believe.
ReplyDeletePlus, the fashion in a gothic horror is always interesting. Have you read The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shepherd? It's a retelling as well (of the Island of Dr. Moreau). It's a gothic thriller, but the atmosphere is in it simply amazing. She has the tone set from the first chapter and just builds on throughout the rest.
Gothic horror is about atmosphere, setting and anticipation. It's usually gore-less. The setting itself becomes a character.
ReplyDeleteI'm writing a YA Psychological horror, which has elements in common with gothic. Good luck!
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