The unknown is one of the scariest elements. In a ghost story, when you don't know what the ghost looks like or what it will do next, it creates a sense of fear. For example, in a dark room, just hearing strange noises but not knowing the source.
One classic scary horror ghost story is 'The Bell Witch'. It's said that in Tennessee, a spirit haunted the Bell family. It would make strange noises, pull people's hair, and even slap them. The family endured terrifying events as this unseen entity tormented them.
There's the story of the haunted cemetery. A young boy once went there to prove his bravery. As he walked among the tombstones, he heard strange whispers. Suddenly, a hand emerged from one of the graves. He ran as fast as he could, but the feeling of being chased didn't go away until he was far from the cemetery. Legend has it that a vengeful spirit resides there, angry at those who disturb the peace of the dead.
Scary stories are broader. They can be about things that are disturbing or create a sense of unease. It could be a situation like being lost in a dark forest where every sound makes you jump. They don't necessarily have to involve the supernatural, but they play on our fears of the unknown or dangerous situations.
The atmosphere they create. Dark, cold, and silent settings like old mansions, cemeteries, or abandoned places are common in ghost stories. These settings immediately put us on edge. And when combined with strange noises, like creaking floors or whispering voices, it heightens the sense of horror. It's as if we are transported into a world where the rules of the living don't apply and the dead can have their way.
The unknown. In real horror ghost stories, we don't know what the ghost is capable of. It could appear at any time, in any form. For example, in stories where people see a strange figure in their bedroom at night. We don't know if it will harm them or just watch, and that uncertainty is terrifying.
Yes, many of them are. There are some really talented storytellers in the podcast world who can create a very spooky atmosphere with just their voices and the right sound effects.
One ghost story is about a haunted house. A family moved into an old mansion. Every night, they would hear strange noises coming from the attic. When they finally mustered the courage to check, they saw a shadowy figure. They quickly moved out.
Since we don't know the exact nature of these '2017 ghost stories', it's difficult to determine their scariness. Some might be based on real - life experiences which could make them more terrifying as they seem more believable. Others could be fictional stories that use common horror techniques to create fear. Some might be scary to those who are easily spooked by the supernatural, while others might not find them so bad.
It depends. Some might find them extremely scary as ghost stories often play on our fears of the unknown and the supernatural. If these stories are well - written and full of suspense, they could be terrifying.