One characteristic is the quick build - up of suspense. In a short horror story, there's no time to waste. For example, in 'The Monkey's Paw', right from the start, the idea of the magical yet cursed paw grabs your attention and makes you wonder what will happen. Another is the use of vivid and often grotesque imagery. 'The Tell - Tale Heart' has the description of the old man's eye which is really creepy. Also, they often end with a twist or a shock, like in 'The Lottery' where the true nature of the lottery is revealed at the end.
Well, they usually have a limited number of characters. This allows the focus to be on creating a really intense and claustrophobic atmosphere. Take 'Carmilla', it mainly revolves around the main character and the mysterious Carmilla. Short horror stories also rely on the power of suggestion. They don't always show everything directly. In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the reader is left to imagine a lot about the woman's state of mind and the things she thinks she sees. And they often play on common fears such as death, the unknown, and insanity.
They often create a sense of immediate dread. For example, in 'The Tell - Tale Heart', the narrator's erratic behavior and his obsession with the old man's eye make the reader feel uneasy right from the start. They also usually have a quick - paced plot to keep the horror intense within a short space.
Full short horror stories are often concise yet impactful. They typically have a quick setup, introducing the characters and the spooky setting very fast. For example, in a story about a haunted house, the first few sentences might describe the dilapidated state of the house and the strange noises coming from it already. Then, there is a rapid escalation of the horror element. Maybe the protagonist starts to see apparitions or feel an unexplainable dread.
One characteristic is a sense of dread. For example, in 'The Haunting of Hill House', the characters constantly feel an impending doom, which is a key element in full horror fiction.
One characteristic is the quick build - up of suspense. Since they are short, they need to grab the reader's attention fast. For instance, they might start with a strange noise or an unexplained event right at the beginning. Another is the use of vivid and often disturbing imagery. This can be things like a dark, shadowy figure lurking in the corner or a strange symbol that seems to hold some dark power. Also, short horror stories often have a twist ending that leaves the reader shocked, like in 'The Monkey's Paw' where the final wish has an unexpected and terrifying outcome.
They are concise. Usually, they quickly establish a spooky or menacing situation. For example, in a short horror story, the horror might start within the first few sentences, like a strange noise in an empty house right at the start.
Typically, they are likely to have elements of the unknown. The fear of the unknown is a common characteristic in horror. For example, an unexplained sound or a shadow that moves on its own.
Often, they create a sense of unease and fear quickly. For example, they might start with a strange or disturbing setting like a haunted house or a desolate graveyard.
They are often filled with suspense. The authors build up tension to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
They tend to be open to a variety of horror sub - genres. This includes things like slasher - type horror, but also more psychological or supernatural horror. A good publisher will understand the different appeals of each sub - genre and try to offer a diverse range of stories. They also usually have an eye for unique and original takes on horror. If a story has a fresh perspective or a new way of scaring the reader, it has a better chance of being published.
Many 1948 horror short stories often had a sense of mystery. They were set in rather ordinary settings which made the horror more relatable. For instance, like 'The Lottery', it was set in a small town that seemed normal at first glance.