Oh! and to add a little bit more to this point -- don't be afraid to peek into genres or stories you don't always read. It actually helps improve our story-telling abilities. Now, this doesn't mean you have to take do a famous storyline and replicate it. But it does help to look at the types of story-lines genres are known for and see how they can fit within the genres you use. Deconstruct them, pull them apart and go "hmmm -- what do and don't I like about this? What draws me in? What pulls me out?"
For example, I'll deconstruct Romeo and Juliet, which is in the tragedy genre. Two young people are infuriated with one another, but their families tear them apart because of an old feud. It gets to the point where the two decide to commit a lover's suicide, and it's only then do both families realize how horrible this feud was.
Now -- how could I use this in horror? Well, when looking at the base structure of Romeo and Juliet, the theme is loss, and the lesson is "misguided pride only results in misfortune". Both of these families experienced loss, and they allowed their pride get in the way of what was important -- their children. While the infatuation of Romeo and Juliet takes lead in in this story, it's really the actions and reactions of their family that makes it all the more sad. But it's these types of reactions and motives that could equally fit within my horror stories and provide more depth.
That's the kind of deconstruct that can help our stories. It's less about taking formulas and decorating them and more about breaking them down to take the ingredients we want.
I hope this little tip help someone!
