Humor And Horror: The Art Of Writing Horror Comedy
by Blog Contributor | December 21, 2023 | Writing Tips | 0 Comments
Photo by Ricardo Díaz on Unsplash
Being entertained is worlds apart from being frightened, but when it comes to literature, there’s beauty in combining both, as found in horror comedy.
When consuming media, stories, or movies, people want to be one with their emotions. They wish to sit with their feelings and truly experience the sensations that come with them. But what happens when there’s an all-too-sudden shift from one emotion to another? How would they react to it?
Humor and horror go hand in hand, and it’s not as surprising as it sounds. Both genres may seem at the extreme ends of the spectrum. Humor is at the peak of happiness, while horror lies at the depths of human fears. Despite this disparity, an interesting balance is found when both are merged. People have common fears but are at complete separation regarding their humors. Yet, when they find humor in what’s horrifying, it gives anyone a sense of fulfillment and joy.
When combined well, horror comedy makes for a great impression.
Why Horror Comedy Works
Horror comedy is one of the popular genres in literature and mainstream media. It’s both a surprising yet expected complement, a mix of what seems like opposite emotions. People laugh and scream at different things, but when they’re combined in a singular story, it also produces a satisfyingly amusing piece. While extremely contradictory, screaming and laughing help individuals release tension – a rewarding human reaction.
Perhaps it’s embedded in humans to find amusement in horror comedy. As much as they desperately grapple for positivity within negative situations, people also seek humor in horror.
It’s a universal experience to laugh at something serious or when hearing a horrible story. While it’s a disturbing reaction that makes people question their morality, it’s still deemed pretty natural. Laughing at sobriety is a natural part of humanity. In fact, it’s a defense mechanism that kicks in to protect people against overwhelming stress, the body’s natural reaction to anxiety.
At first glance, horror comedy is a recipe for tonal mess. Horror is frightening. Comedy is hilarious. The former builds tension while the latter releases this. Yet, the combination of both somehow works. Horror comedy makes light of scary situations, downplaying what’s supposed to make people feel threatened. And it’s this relief amid dangerous situations that make the genre work.
Finding The Right Comic Timing In Between Screams
The Graveyard Society book by Everett Wair Sr. is a horror comedy that found the perfect balance of humor and horror. The story follows a woman who turns into a ghost and traverses the world as a spirit on a mission to rescue her daughter, who has lived life under a pimp.
It’s a well-balanced narrative that highlights the best of both horror and comedy, a combination of perfectly timed screams that blend into laughter. While Everett showcases her expertise in this genre, getting the balance right can be tricky.
Horror comedy should be a balance of both.
This means that the story should be equally frightening as much as it’s funny. It shouldn’t be a comedy parading itself in a monster suit. An imbalance is why some authors fail to craft a captivating story – they’ve either not focused on fear or have too much of it to be considered a healthy balance of both. Hence, when writing in this genre, authors must start and focus on what’s scary.
In hopes of creating space for humor, they can’t neglect fear. Focusing on what’s frightening and building it first ensures this element won’t be forgotten. Authors can start by mining their nightmares and spending time writing about what honestly scares their audience. Once isolated and highlighted, they can devise a humorous release for this tension.
Scaring the audience before suddenly cutting it off is the best way to prepare for good laughter. This sudden release in tension and shift from the suspense can easily make people laugh and be satisfied with the said shift.
