One way is to build up the suspense gradually. Start with small, strange events and then let them escalate. You can also introduce otherworldly elements like portals to another dimension where the ghost comes from. And make the characters more relatable so that the audience cares more about what happens to them in the face of the ghost.
To make an old ghost story more interesting, you can play with the perspective. Instead of just having a third - person narrator, try first - person accounts from different characters. Include some local legends or superstitions related to the area where the story is set. And don't be afraid to add some psychological horror elements, like making the characters question their own sanity as they encounter the ghost.
You can add more details about the ghost's appearance. For example, if it has glowing eyes or a transparent body. Also, create a more complex backstory for the ghost.
Add some vivid descriptions. For example, if it's about a ghostly figure, describe its tattered clothes and pale face in detail.
One way is by using different voices for each character when reading the story aloud. For example, a deep voice for the spooky ghost and a high - pitched voice for the scared kid. Another way is to add some sound effects like creaking doors or howling winds in the background. It makes the story more immersive.
By adding some mystery. For example, the old man could have a hidden past or a secret that gradually unfolds throughout the story, making the young wife question her relationship with him.
One way is to make it completely isolated. If it's in the middle of a dark forest or on a desolate moor, it'll be scarier. Also, add lots of cobwebs and broken furniture.
Use vivid descriptions. Describe the ghost's appearance in a way that is both alluring and spooky. For example, 'The ghost's form was a wisp of white, with eyes that glowed like embers, and a body that seemed to flow like silk.' Also, build up the suspense. Don't reveal the full nature of the relationship between the human and the ghost too quickly. Let the tension grow.
Involve more characters in the coincidence. Instead of just two people having a coincidental encounter, have a group of people all connected by some strange coincidence. For example, in a big city, a group of strangers all end up at the same restaurant on the same day because of various reasons that are all related in some odd way. This multiplies the impact of the coincidence and makes the story more complex and interesting.
By adding some unexpected events. For instance, on the day of moving in, the elevator breaks down and the person has to carry all their heavy boxes up several flights of stairs. This creates drama and makes the story more engaging.
Adding vivid descriptions can make it more interesting. For instance, instead of just saying 'There was a tree', you could say 'There was a large, ancient oak tree with gnarled branches that reached out like twisted arms'.
One way to make a routine love story more interesting is by adding unique settings. For example, instead of the usual city backdrop, set it in a magical forest or on a far - off island. Another way is to give the characters some really odd or endearing quirks.
Add some mystery elements. For example, a kid sketches an old box, and inside the box in the sketch is a riddle or a map leading to a hidden treasure.