Supernatural Storycraft: Guidelines for Introducing Mystical Elements in Detective Tales
In a captivating conversation, we delve into the world of mystery and the supernatural with the renowned author, who is set to release their upcoming novel, Asylum Hotel. This chilling tale is rumoured to unfold within the walls of a historical asylum, promising a thrilling blend of the unknown and the eerie.
The author's fascination with the supernatural is evident in their work, drawing inspiration from classic ghost stories like Stephen King's The Shining. Unlike the book's frequent apparitions, the author prefers to build a mounting sense of dread, subtly weaving the supernatural into the narrative to heighten tension and keep readers on the edge of their seats.
When it comes to incorporating supernatural elements into mystery novels, the author follows a set of guidelines. They deepen the atmosphere with richly described, natural or uncanny settings that evoke dread and tension. They use subtle clues and odd behaviours to unsettle both protagonist and reader, without overtly revealing the supernatural too early. The author also blends folk horror or supernatural traditions to create a unique sense of place and unease that complements the mystery.
The author's approach is to ground the supernatural in the novel's framework, ensuring it contributes to the mystery being solved. They advise against showing too much of the paranormal world on the page too soon, instead encouraging readers to envision the worst and manipulate emotions. The supernatural aspects of a story can reflect troubling current events, much like Jordan Peele's use of pervasive racism in Get Out.
Scary does not necessarily equal evil; facing fears may lead to healing and redemption. The author suggests subverting expectations and leaning into the not knowing when dealing with supernatural elements in literature. They also reference Steven Spielberg's decision to not show the shark in Jaws as a way to let the audience's imagination create more vivid images, and suggest a similar approach when dealing with supernatural elements in literature.
The author's upcoming novel, Asylum Hotel, is a testament to their mastery of the supernatural in mystery writing. It promises to ratchet up suspense around human crimes and the not knowing, anchoring the supernatural in human history and everyday behaviour. Everyday people can "experience" hauntings, vision, or demons due to afflictions such as sleep paralysis, psychosis, memory loss, poisoning, and carbon monoxide overexposure.
The author's work also explores the implications of a very human crime in a paranormal reality. They are captivated by the possibility of life beyond the veil and the limits of human knowledge, a theme that has been explored by authors such as Mary Shelley in Frankenstein, who exploited suspicions about early science and technology to create a terrifying monster.
James George Frazer, in his work The Golden Bough, argued that all human belief systems are rooted in the attempt to interpret and make sense of the world, including the fear of the human dead. The author's work continues this tradition, anchoring the supernatural in human history and everyday behaviour, making it a chilling and thought-provoking read.
The author's upcoming mystery novel, Asylum Hotel, promises to layers suspense within intricate human narratives, following the author's trademark approach of subtly weaving the supernatural into the story. This new book, set in a historical asylum, draws inspiration from classic mystery novels and haunting tales, offering readers an enthralling blend of mystery, the unknown, and the eerie that harkens back to Stephen King's The Shining.
