What are the elements that make really good scary ghost stories?

The unknown makes really scary true ghost stories frightening. When things happen that can't be explained by normal means, like objects moving on their own or strange noises in an empty house. It plays on our fear of the unseen.

One element is the unknown. When there are things that are not clearly explained, like a strange noise in the dark, it creates fear. For example, in a story where there's a noise in an empty attic but no one knows what's making it.

The unknown is a key element. For example, in a story where there is a strange noise in an empty house on Halloween night, not knowing what is making the noise creates fear. Darkness also plays a part. A lot of scary Halloween stories are set at night, like when a person is walking alone in a dark forest on Halloween and senses something lurking. Another element is the supernatural. Ghosts, witches, and demons are common in these stories as they go against the normal rules of the world and are unpredictable.

The unknown is a big factor. When you don't know what the demon looks like exactly or what it can do, it creates fear. For example, in many stories, the demon is just a shadow or a presence that can't be clearly defined.

One key element is the setting. A spooky place like an old cemetery, abandoned house or a dark forest immediately sets the mood. Another is the presence of unexplained phenomena, such as strange noises or objects moving on their own. The characters' fear and vulnerability also play a big role. If the main character is alone and has no way to escape easily, it makes the story scarier.

The atmosphere plays a crucial role. A really scary story will often have a dark, gloomy atmosphere. This can be created through descriptions of the environment, like a thick fog covering a graveyard. Fear of the dark is also a common element. Many scary stories use the dark as a hiding place for the unknown terrors. And the idea of losing control is scary. When the characters in a story lose control of their situation, like being trapped in a haunted place, it makes the story more effective.

Surprise is a key element. For example, in a short story where a character seems to be in a safe situation, like sitting in their living room, and suddenly a hand reaches out from under the couch. It's unexpected and scares the reader. Another element is the unknown. When there are things that are not fully explained, like a strange noise in an empty attic that the character can't identify, it creates fear.

The unknown nature of bigfoot makes the stories scary. We don't really know what it is, if it's real or not. Just the idea that there could be a large, ape - like creature out there in the woods that we don't understand is spooky.

The setting plays a crucial role. Take 'The Amityville Horror' for example. A large, old, and isolated house provides the perfect backdrop for a scary story. The creaking floors, dark hallways, and the feeling of being alone in such a place add to the fear.

It depends on your tolerance for spooky things. Some might find the stories in '2012 ghost stories' extremely frightening, especially if they involve elements like sudden apparitions or unexplained noises. However, others who are more used to horror might not find them as scary.