The key to writing a “dark” story is…

Sports is more White On White Morality

There are two types of "dark" stories that I prefer:

• Dark Tale in a Light World
  • The world is generally a pleasant, or somewhat pleasant place. The fate of the world isn't at stake, mass raping, pillaging and murder isn't happening. And there's indication that there IS good in this world. Just not for our protagonist(s). For them, life sucks. Though they suffer, fail, and/or struggle, the world beats along merrily ignorant. Perhaps that is the cruelest part of all.

Examples: Fallen, (500) Days of Summer, Cast Away

• Light Tale in a Dark World
  • This world is genuinely crappy. People die regularly. The villains rule the land. Glimmers of hope and the victories of good seem rare or non-existant. However, the story focuses primarily on an example of such a victory. While it may be true that the world mostly sucks, this story focuses on the light in the darkness, or the recreation of hope.

Examples: Schindler's List, Children of Men, Sin City

I define my work as "dark erotic fantasy" because I love magical creatures doing wicked things in a sensual world. I love Byronic heroes and bdsm and the concept of Hell as a dark paradise. I like my demons better than my angels; I have to deliberately TRY to give them weaknesses so mortals can actually stand a chance.

Darkness is about taboos, things we fear or are ashamed of. Eroticism is about the senses and how our perceptions inflame our bodies and souls. Fantasy is about magic, pure and simple, but how terribly beautiful magic can be only the imagination knows.

I define my work as art and myself as an artist. I think in terms of metaphors and emotions, sights and sounds and all the sensations that make hearts race. I believe in the power of language and its sacredness even makes it difficult for me to lie in daily life. My soul sings and my song is dark because I am dark.

If you don't have that in your work I don't think it'll feel authentic, and that's a key element in dark fiction. At least in my opinion (which is not at all humble right now lol).