One unusual setting could be an abandoned amusement park. The dilapidated rides, the empty concession stands, and the once - lively areas now filled with silence and decay create a perfect backdrop for horror. Another could be a deep, dark underwater cave system. The unknown depths, the pressure, and the possibility of strange, unseen creatures lurking in the shadows add to the horror. A third unusual setting might be an old, decrepit sanatorium. The history of illness, death, and possible mistreatment within its walls can send shivers down one's spine.
They add to the horror by breaking the familiar. A normal city street doesn't usually evoke fear, but an otherworldly, floating city in the sky that defies the laws of physics? That's a whole different story. The unfamiliarity of such a setting makes it difficult for the characters and the audience to anticipate what might happen next. In an unusual setting like a time - looped town where the same day repeats with small, but increasingly sinister changes, it keeps the tension high as the characters struggle to figure out what's going on.
An interesting plot idea would be to set a short story in a world where time has stopped. The main character is the only one still able to move. They wander through a frozen city, seeing people and things caught in mid - action. As they explore, they find a strange device that might be the key to restarting time. But there are also forces that seem to want to keep time frozen. The character has to figure out how to use the device and overcome these obstacles, all while reflecting on the meaning of time and life.
One common horror setting is the old, abandoned house. It's often dark, with creaking floors and peeling wallpaper. There could be hidden rooms or basements where the unknown lurks. Another is the forest at night. The thick trees block out the moonlight, and strange noises come from all directions. You can't see clearly, and there might be some sort of evil entity waiting in the shadows. Also, the desolate cemetery is a typical horror setting. With tombstones everywhere and a sense of death in the air, it gives off a very spooky vibe.
One overused setting is the abandoned asylum. It has been used so much that when people think of horror, they immediately picture the long, dark corridors filled with rusty beds and strange medical equipment. Another is the old, haunted house on the hill, often with creaky floorboards and hidden rooms. The dark forest at night is also common, where strange noises come from the bushes and the trees seem to have a life of their own.
Abandoned asylums are great settings. They are full of long, dark corridors, empty cells, and a sense of forgotten madness. Another one is the deep, dark forest. The thick trees block out the sun, there are strange noises, and it gives a feeling of being lost and surrounded by the unknown. Graveyards at night are also good. The tombstones, the silence broken only by the wind, and the idea of the dead below create a spooky atmosphere.
You could set your story in a floating city in the sky. The people there have developed unique ways of living, like using clouds as a source of energy. The main character could be an outsider who is brought to this city and has to adapt to its strange customs and figure out how to get back home.
Abandoned asylums are great settings. They are full of long, dark corridors, empty rooms that once held the insane, and a sense of forgotten madness. Another good one is old cemeteries, especially at night with the tombstones casting eerie shadows and the thought of the dead beneath. Dark forests also work well, where the trees seem to close in around you and strange noises come from the thick underbrush.
For horror stories, settings like abandoned hospitals are quite common. The cold, sterile environment that once held so much pain and suffering now lies empty, but the echoes of the past seem to linger. Also, isolated islands can be great settings. Cut off from the mainland, the characters are trapped with whatever horror lurks there. And let's not forget old, dilapidated prisons. The cells that once held criminals now seem to hold something much more sinister.
Try 'The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night - Time' by Mark Haddon. It's set from the perspective of a boy with autism who decides to solve the mystery of a neighbor's dog's death. It's both funny in the way he interprets the world and a great mystery. His unique view of things makes for an interesting read.
An old, dilapidated church in the middle of nowhere. The broken stained - glass windows, the musty smell, and the feeling that something unholy has taken over the once - sacred place. It's a contrast between the holy and the profane, which can be very disturbing.