What makes a story truly scary in 'scary scary scary stories'?

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.

Well, for me, what makes a scary story really terrifying is when it plays on our deepest fears. Like the fear of death or the loss of a loved one. Stories that involve a loved one turning into something evil or being in danger are often very scary. And the atmosphere is crucial too. If the story can create a really creepy atmosphere, like a fog - filled graveyard at midnight, it'll be terrifying.

Well, it could be the unknown. In a telebone story, if there are strange noises or voices coming from the other end that can't be explained. Maybe it's like a disembodied voice whispering things that don't make sense at first but as the story unfolds, it reveals something truly terrifying.

The element of psychological horror can make a scary story truly terrifying. It's not just about jump scares or monsters. It's about getting into the minds of the characters and feeling their fear, paranoia, and despair. For instance, a story where a character slowly loses their sanity can be very disturbing as it makes the audience question their own mental state and what they would do in such a situation.

A really scary story often has elements like unexpected twists, lurking threats that are hard to predict, and a sense of helplessness for the characters.

A scary story can be 'delicious' when it has a great build - up of suspense. For example, a story that slowly reveals the presence of a malevolent ghost in an old mansion. The details about the creaking floors and cold drafts add to the unease.

The element of surprise and the unknown often make scary stories scary. When you don't know what's coming next, it heightens the tension and fear.

A scary story can be 'delicious' when it has well - crafted suspense. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart' by Edgar Allan Poe, the slow build - up of the narrator's madness and the mystery around the old man's eye create a delicious sense of dread. It's the kind of story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages to find out what will happen next.

It might be the way the story is told. If it has a slow - building tension, starting from a seemingly normal situation and then gradually introducing elements that are more and more disturbing. Also, if it has details that are so real - life and relatable, like it could happen to anyone, that makes it all the scarier. For instance, if it's about a haunted house that looks like any ordinary house on the street, but inside holds terrifying secrets.

The unknown elements usually make a scary story truly terrifying. When there are things left to the imagination, like a strange noise in the dark with no clear source, it scares people. For example, in many classic horror stories, the fear of the unseen monster lurking just out of sight is what gets the heart racing.