What makes best voiced scary stories so effective?

The characters in jezebel's best scary stories are relatable. When we can see ourselves in the shoes of the protagonist, it makes the scares more personal. For example, if the story is about a normal person like us who stumbles upon a haunted place. Also, the unexpected twists. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, the story takes a completely different turn. This catches the reader off - guard and amps up the scariness factor.

They are effective because they create immediate fear. In just two sentences, they can set a spooky scene and introduce a threat, like a sudden grab in an empty house or a menacing face in a mirror.

Their simplicity. Just one line can create a sense of mystery and fear. For example, 'The old doll's eyes followed her across the room.' It gives you a quick jolt of horror without a lot of explanation.

They often play on our deepest fears. Take 'The cellar door opened on its own. Something dark and formless slithered out.' It taps into the fear of the unknown in a very short space. The brevity makes it even more impactful as there's no time for the mind to rationalize. It's just pure fear hitting you.

The brevity of short scary stories makes them effective. They quickly get to the point. There's no time for long - winded build - up, so the scares hit hard and fast. For example, in a short story, a single sentence like 'The face at the window had no eyes' can send chills immediately.

The setting plays a big role. When you're sitting around a campfire, in the dark, surrounded by nature, it already sets a spooky mood. And the stories often involve things that are unknown or hard to explain, like ghosts or monsters, which tap into our fears of the unknown.

The sense of the unknown. In many shocking scary stories, there are things that can't be easily explained. For example, a door that leads to a different dimension. This makes people feel uneasy because they don't understand it. Also, the use of vivid descriptions of terrifying things like blood - soaked rooms or disfigured creatures can really send shivers down one's spine. These elements combined create an effective scary story.

The brevity. They quickly set a spooky mood without over - explaining. For example, in 'The well was deep. A voice called from below. I peered in. A pale face stared back', it gives just enough to make you shudder.

The brevity. They quickly hit you with a spooky idea and leave it lingering. For example, a sudden glimpse of a strange face in a mirror for two seconds.

The element of the unknown. In actually scary stories, not knowing what's going to happen next creates fear. For example, in a story about a haunted attic, you don't know what the ghostly presence will do.