What makes a great short scary story?

Good scary short stories also use the setting effectively. In 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs, the dark and stormy night, along with the isolated cottage, sets the mood. The cursed monkey's paw that can grant wishes, but with dire consequences, is a classic horror trope. The story plays on the characters' greed and the fear of the unknown, making it a great example of a scary short story.

The setting is crucial too. A spooky old house, like in 'The Haunting of Hill House', with its creaking floors and dark corners, sets the mood for a great scary story. It becomes almost like a character itself, adding to the overall sense of dread.

A great scary story often has relatable characters that you care about, so you feel their fear. And a build-up of tension that explodes into terrifying moments makes it memorable.

A great scary campfire story often has an element of the unknown. For example, a mysterious figure that no one can fully explain. It could be a shadowy man seen on a lonely road at night. This creates suspense and makes people wonder what it could be.

A great short short story often has a concise and engaging plot. It can quickly draw the reader in and make them care about the characters or the situation in just a few paragraphs. For example, in 'The Gift of the Magi', the simple yet selfless acts of the couple are presented in a very short space but still manage to touch the reader's heart.

The use of atmosphere can make a short story really scary. If you set the scene in a dark, abandoned place like an old cemetery or a deserted house, it immediately gives off an eerie feeling. Additionally, having relatable characters who are in danger makes the reader more invested in the story. When bad things start to happen to them, the reader can imagine themselves in that situation, which is terrifying. For instance, a story about a person alone in a haunted forest at night, lost and hearing strange howls. The combination of the setting, the vulnerability of the character, and the mystery of the howls all contribute to the scariness.

One factor is the atmosphere. A dark, gloomy and tense atmosphere can immediately put the reader on edge. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', Poe uses descriptions of the old man's room at night and the slow, stealthy movements of the narrator to create a sense of dread. Another is the element of the unknown. When the reader doesn't know what's going to happen next or what the true nature of the horror is, it's much scarier. Like in 'The Call of Cthulhu', the vast and incomprehensible nature of the cosmic horror is what makes it so effective.

A great short story typically has well-developed characters that you can relate to or find fascinating. The story should have a beginning, middle, and end that feel complete within a short space. And it often has a twist or some element of surprise that makes it memorable.

A great short story usually has a compelling plot that grabs your attention from the start and keeps you engaged till the end. It also has well-developed characters that you can relate to or find interesting.

A great short story usually has a compelling plot that grabs the reader's attention from the start. It also has well-developed characters that the reader can relate to or find interesting.