How would you feel about reading a horror novel with some humor thrown in along the way? Just curious.
Humor in Horror
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WIN. I love it when the horror is broken up like that. Makes the next scary part hit even harder.
It really depends on how you use that comedy in the horror and where it's being put. If it's used wisely, then I would definitely read it.The element of terror should never be taken too seriously and it's always nice to see some humor in between pages.
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... it needs to be done right and consistently. If it is, then it's fine and welcome. But if the humor comes out of nowhere and is only sprinkled in, periodically, and at the whim of the author that would be annoying and would ruin the story by making a mockery of it.
Thx, everyone for your input. I'm thinking of a couple in their 60s that are somewhat comical, but not lol funny. Each time they appear in an otherwise dour story (kidnapping > murder > murdered individual returns to confront murderer), bits of humor will accompany them. I'm trying to think of examples in other books or movies, but I'm coming up dry, though I'm sure it's been done. If you can think of an example please post it here. Thx.
My Quentin Dallas pieces are horror laced through and through with humor. A bit of humor added here and there can certainly enhance the overall enjoyment of the story by the reader no matter what genre it is, but horror seems to enhance the effect.
It's the idea of "laughing your way to the gallows", I think.
It's the idea of "laughing your way to the gallows", I think.
That's the way I like it. I don't find too much horror like that, though. So I write my own. It's a tough sell, by the way.
I can't help but write icky bug with humor. As I'm reading my latest, The Factory to my writer's group, I get chuckles all the time. I find that my humor permeates everything I write, no matter how serious or terrifying.
Humor crosses to every genre I write (icky bug, sci-fi, fantasy and adventure/thrillers). It is just part of who I am.
Humor crosses to every genre I write (icky bug, sci-fi, fantasy and adventure/thrillers). It is just part of who I am.
read more horror....most Koontz books include some horror (it sometimes falls flat, sometimes works great--I enjoyed the couple at the center of "The Bad Place", for example), so does a lot of King, although he often uses less of it.
Most solid horror seems to have at least a bit of humor in it. Too much, or done poorly, and it distracts, but many people have a bleak, gallows humor that comes out under stress, and horror "situations" are often a bit silly, and in the "normal" spots, people DO tend to have a sense of humor....there's lots of room for everything from silly humorous banter to humor through irony, hyperbole, etc.
Bret Easton Ellis' "American Psycho" is horror. It's extremely graphic, yet at times you're crying tears of laughter. Same goes with "Yeval" by C. W. Schultz. At times I'm just rolling on the ground laughing, while at other times I've taken aback, saying, "Whoa, this is really messed up."
I'm impressed by this stuff because it is truly horrific to find myself laughing at something I shouldn't or wouldn't ordinarily find amusing in the slightest.
I'm impressed by this stuff because it is truly horrific to find myself laughing at something I shouldn't or wouldn't ordinarily find amusing in the slightest.
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A horror novel that is humorous and that bites in the horror/suspense department is awesome. If this is your style, don't censor it, let it out.
I used to think humour and horror was an odd mix, but then I read the Dean Koontz book 'Ticktock' which was both hilarious and scary in parts and it really worked.
I recommend that as a read, by the way. I loved it
I recommend that as a read, by the way. I loved it
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When speaking with friends and coworkers there is always humor thrown in somewhere. It's natural to have some humor in life and in books about serious things. Maybe a lot of humor isn't needed. But a line or two that is funny or dark humor... why not?
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Same here. I've tried writing straight serious fiction, and it always falls flat. My humor is so much a part of who I am that I can't leave it off the page when I write. I prefer stories that have a bit of humor in them, too. A horror novel that is all dark and foreboding, all the way through, is tedious for me and I'm likely to put it down.
How about the flip? Humor with horror sprinkled in? I'm thinking Christopher Moore's novels (His vampire series, beginning with "Bloodsucking Fiends" is especially good.). His work is hysterically funny, even when writing about vampires, demons, and other nasties.
Shaun of the Dead is another good example.
Jeff Strand's work often combines humor with horror. And while JA Konrath's Jack Daniels books are considered thrillers with comedic moments, they get about as grim as any horror novel.
Writing humor is difficult. Writing horror is difficult. Combining the two is a quality not many writers have.
Writing humor is difficult. Writing horror is difficult. Combining the two is a quality not many writers have.
I've had success with humor/horror but that's in the way I approach it, I write horror-lite. I think it can definitely work but subtlety is key, otherwise it looks like you're trying too hard.
I think it can definitely work but subtlety is key, otherwise it looks like you're trying too hard.
Pretty much any story benefits from a little humor. Just make sure with horror that you don't do it at the wrong moment if you don't intend it to be campy.
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Agree 100%! My villain in Ink has a wry sort of humor, but it's an aspect of his personality. It's not a device to make the reader laugh out loud, but perhaps elicit a small smile now and again, even while they're cringing.
Too much humor dilutes the tension, in my opinion.We need more people writing humor in the horror genre. Sometimes we horror authors can take ourselves too seriously. Some of the bizarro writers have funny things going on, too.
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Humor and horror go hand in hand for me. A scary book doesn't also have to be a laugh riot, but life is funny so there should be something in there to lighten the mood occasionally. I can find something to laugh about in the most bleak of situations.
Although, I read "John Dies at the End" last year. I adored it because it's so different, it's scary as hell, it's smart, and it's completely hilarious. This one was just pure joy to read. I'd read much of it online before it had a major publisher, but now it's out in paperback along with the original hardback, and apparently Paul Giamatti has been signed on for the movie, playing the reporter. The book's fairly gory, which I don't find necessary in horror but have no real probem with, so I suspect the movie's going to be pretty gross. It's just such an original and goofy story, I love it.
I also read as much of the sequel as he had online for a while--not sure if it's still there--but he's currently working on that for publication. Can't wait.
Funny, funny and scary stuff.
Although, I read "John Dies at the End" last year. I adored it because it's so different, it's scary as hell, it's smart, and it's completely hilarious. This one was just pure joy to read. I'd read much of it online before it had a major publisher, but now it's out in paperback along with the original hardback, and apparently Paul Giamatti has been signed on for the movie, playing the reporter. The book's fairly gory, which I don't find necessary in horror but have no real probem with, so I suspect the movie's going to be pretty gross. It's just such an original and goofy story, I love it.
I also read as much of the sequel as he had online for a while--not sure if it's still there--but he's currently working on that for publication. Can't wait.
Funny, funny and scary stuff.
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