What makes a story scary?

The unknown. When there are things that are not fully explained or shown, it scares people. For example, in a haunted house story, if you just hear strange noises but don't see the source clearly, it creates a sense of fear. You start imagining all sorts of terrifying things.

What makes a scary story truly scary is the element of the unknown. When there are things that are left to the imagination, it scares people more. For example, in a story where there's a strange noise in the attic but you don't know what's causing it. It could be anything, and that uncertainty is terrifying.

The appearance. A clown with a grotesque face paint, like smeared red lipstick and blackened eyes, can be really scary. Also, their costumes. If it's tattered and dirty, it gives an eerie vibe.

Well, a dog can be scary in a scary story for several reasons. One is if it has some kind of supernatural element attached to it. Maybe it's possessed by an evil spirit, like in some stories where the dog can talk in a menacing voice or has the ability to disappear and reappear suddenly. Another aspect is the setting. If the dog is in a spooky place like an old graveyard or a haunted house, it adds to the scariness. And its actions towards people, like stalking them in the dark or attacking without provocation, can be really terrifying.

Another factor is the backstory. If there are rumors or a known history about the mama that involves dark magic, death, or some kind of curse, it adds to her scariness. Maybe she was once a kind mother but then something tragic happened that changed her into a malevolent being. This transformation and the mystery behind it can send shivers down the reader's spine. For example, if she was cursed by an evil witch because she didn't pay a debt, and now she's out for revenge on the world around her.

The unknown. When you see something in a reflection that you don't expect or can't explain, it's terrifying. For example, seeing a face that isn't yours or a figure that has no physical presence in the room.

The patterns can be really creepy. For example, if it has distorted faces or strange creatures hidden within the design. Like in a story where the wallpaper had a pattern of vines, but among the vines were small, devil - like figures that seemed to come alive at night.

The sharpness of the claw is what makes it scary. A really sharp claw can easily cut through flesh, which is a very terrifying thought. Just imagine a claw that can slice open your skin with a single swipe.

The appearance can be a big factor. For example, if it has a distorted face or a menacing pose. In some stories, statues with blank eyes seem scarier as it's hard to tell what they are thinking.

Well, in a scary story, a skeleton can be scary for several reasons. First, its appearance. Those empty eye sockets seem to be staring into your soul. The rattle of its bones as it moves is also quite terrifying. And it often has some sort of dark backstory. Maybe it was a victim of a horrible crime or a cursed soul. All these elements combined make the skeleton a very effective scary element in a story. For example, if it's a skeleton in an old, haunted place like a graveyard or a decrepit castle, the atmosphere adds to its scariness.

For me, a scary story often has elements like unexpected twists, creepy settings, and mysterious characters. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes your heart race.