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.

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.

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.

Well, first of all, the atmosphere plays a big role. A really scary short story often has a tense, foreboding atmosphere. This can be created through the use of descriptive language, like 'the air was thick with a musty smell and an unspoken dread'. Second, the characters should be relatable so that the reader can put themselves in their shoes. When bad things start to happen to them, it makes it more terrifying. And third, the element of surprise. A sudden, unexpected turn of events can send shivers down the reader's spine.

The sense of helplessness makes really scary nightmare stories terrifying. In these stories, the characters often find themselves unable to escape or fight back. The girl in the attic couldn't run away, and the camper in the woods was trapped in his tent. This lack of control over the situation taps into our deepest fears, as we all like to feel in control in real life.

Well, the atmosphere plays a huge part. If a story is set in a dark, isolated place like an old abandoned house or a desolate forest, it immediately makes it scarier. The unpredictability of events in these stories is also a factor. You don't know when something bad is going to happen next. And when there are elements of the supernatural involved, like in stories about demons or curses, it takes the scariness to another level because it goes beyond our normal understanding of the world.

The physical and mental transformation of the sick. When people in these stories get sick, they might change in horrible ways. Their appearance could become grotesque, like their skin melting or their eyes turning black. Mentally, they could go insane, doing things that are completely against their normal nature. For example, a kind person might start attacking others due to the illness. This transformation is scary as it shows how the sickness can destroy a person's humanity.