So I actually read this in a book from the book fair that has nothing to do with Fanfics, but it probably could be applied. When your horror story starts with something crazy happening and huge plot points on only page 14, then you have a problem. Especially when you have another horror plot point two pages later with someone dying of a completely different event. Unless you're Clue, or there's a real reason for you to have MULTIPLE horror points in the first few pages or first chapter, please don't start the excitement too early.

A way to avoid this is to remember to let the characters develop a little before you go killing them off or giving clues to what's going on. Make the reader feel bad that they've died. Introduce the setting and suspected plot before you throw a horror wrench in your character's world.

Now if you start off your story IMMEDIATELY with a death, than that's a good plot. I'm more trying to point out stories that have a scene, something scary, and then someone dies a little later. Their death doesn't really mean much then as you got to know them a little, but not that much that their death means something emotional. I probably sound really confusing right now, so sorry if you don't get it.

Happy Holidays!
-Ellie

A/N: Does anyone think I should start grading characters or books for cliches? Or should I just save it for another book? Please let me know what you think!