How do monster stories and home invasion stories create suspense?

It often uses the element of the home as a safe haven being violated. When the invaders enter the home, it shatters the sense of security. For example, in 'The Strangers', the fact that the couple thought they were safe in their own house but then were suddenly targeted by strangers creates immediate suspense.

In monster stories, transformation can be a theme. Sometimes the monster was once a human or can transform a human. In home invasion stories, the theme of the breakdown of security is important. It shows how something we take for granted, like the safety of our home, can be shattered in an instant.

Well, there was this case where an elderly couple had their home invaded. The invaders entered through an unlocked back door. They stole valuable items and also physically threatened the couple. The couple was too scared to move at first. In another instance, a family on vacation returned home to find that their house had been invaded while they were away. The burglars had taken electronics and some jewelry. These real home invasion stories show how important home security is.

One important step is to be aware of your surroundings. If you notice any suspicious people or activities near your home, report it to the police immediately. Additionally, don't advertise your absence from home. For instance, don't post on social media that you are going on a long vacation. Also, consider joining a neighborhood watch program. Neighbors can look out for each other and report any strange happenings.

Time skip stories create suspense through the element of change. For instance, if a story is set in a small town and there's a time skip of several years, we don't know how the town has changed. Has it been hit by a disaster? Has it thrived? In addition, when it comes to characters' fates, if a character was in a race against time before the skip, after the skip we don't know if they won or lost. This uncertainty makes the story full of suspense.

Suspense in horror adventure stories is often created by setting. Take 'The Shining' for instance. The isolated hotel in the middle of the snow - covered mountains is a perfect backdrop for a sense of unease. The characters are cut off from the outside world, and as strange things start to happen, the reader is on edge. Also, the use of foreshadowing helps. In 'Dracula', the early mentions of the count's strange powers and the disappearances in the area foreshadow the horror to come.

Espionage stories often create suspense through secrecy. The main characters are usually involved in hidden operations, and the readers don't know all the details. For example, in 'The Spy Who Came in from the Cold', the motives of the characters are not clear at first. This keeps the readers guessing.

By using vivid descriptions of settings and characters. A hooked horror story might describe a dark, decrepit house in great detail, with creaking floorboards and peeling wallpaper. The description of the menacing character, like a figure with a menacing grin and glowing eyes, adds to the suspense. The reader is constantly on edge, waiting for the character to make a move.

Well, in tvtrope ghost stories, the setting plays a big role in creating suspense. If it's an old, abandoned asylum or a cemetery at night, just the location itself gives off a spooky vibe. The characters' reactions also contribute. If they are constantly on edge, looking over their shoulders, it makes the viewers feel the same. And the use of music is crucial. A slow, creepy melody can heighten the sense of suspense. For example, as the ghost is about to appear, the music builds up, making the audience hold their breath in anticipation.

The ticking clock is a common device. In many kidnapping fiction stories, there's a time limit to find the kidnapped person alive. This adds urgency and suspense. Like in 'Taken' (if we consider it in a fictional written story sense), the hero has to rescue his daughter within a short time frame. Also, the withholding of information about the kidnapper's motives and identity can be very suspenseful. We might not know if it's a random act or part of a bigger, more sinister plan.