How to make a scary story scarier?

Use creepy settings and atmospheres. Dark places, abandoned buildings, or foggy nights can add to the scariness. Also, describe sounds and smells in detail to make the scene more vivid and terrifying.

You can use sound effects. For example, play some creaking door sounds or howling wind noises in the background while telling the story. It'll add to the spooky atmosphere.

Add more details about the spooky setting. Like if it's set in a cemetery, describe the broken tombstones, the mist hovering over the graves, and the cold wind that seems to whisper. This will enhance the scariness.

You can use a really quiet and suspenseful voice when telling the story. For example, when you get to the scariest part, slow down your speech and lower your voice to a whisper. This can make the listeners feel more on edge.

Use a spooky voice. When you tell the story in a low, raspy or trembling voice, it adds to the fear factor.

You can make the clown scarier by giving it an abnormal appearance, like a crooked smile or eyes that glow in the dark.

You can also use props. If you're telling a story about a monster in the woods, have some fake branches or leaves around. Maybe even a fake claw or something. And as you tell the story, use the props to enhance the description. For instance, if the monster is approaching, move the branches like it's pushing through them. This will engage the listeners' senses more and make the story seem scarier.

Make it personal. If you can relate the story to the people around the campfire. Say things like 'this could happen to any of us here'. For instance, a story about a spirit that haunts campers. Point out that we are all campers right now, so we should be careful. This makes the listeners more engaged and scares them more effectively.

Build suspense. Don't give away the scariest parts too soon. Describe the setting and the characters in detail first. For instance, if it's a haunted house story, talk about how the old floorboards creak, how the walls seem to be closing in, and how the air is cold and musty. Then gradually introduce the spooky elements one by one.

Use sound effects. For example, when you tell a part about a creaking door in the ghost story, you can actually make a creaking sound with your mouth or by rubbing two sticks together gently. This will add a lot to the spooky atmosphere.