The element of psychological horror can make a scary story truly terrifying. It's not just about jump scares or monsters. It's about getting into the minds of the characters and feeling their fear, paranoia, and despair. For instance, a story where a character slowly loses their sanity can be very disturbing as it makes the audience question their own mental state and what they would do in such a situation.
For a good introduction to a scary story, it can be effective to start with a sudden and unexpected event. Say, 'The phone rang in the empty house, and when she picked it up, all she heard was a deep, raspy breathing on the other end.' You can also set the mood with the weather. 'The storm outside was raging, thunder and lightning crashing as she found herself all alone in the big, dark mansion. It was the perfect start to a terrifying night.'
Sure. 'In a small, forgotten town, there was an old, dilapidated mansion on the outskirts. It stood alone, surrounded by overgrown weeds and gnarled trees. The townspeople whispered that at midnight, strange lights could be seen flickering in the attic windows. No one dared to go near it, but a young, curious journalist was about to change that.'
Well, first, you need to set the scene in a way that makes the reader feel a bit uncomfortable. This could be a dark alleyway filled with shadows. Second, introduce an element of the unknown. It could be a strange object or an unexplained phenomenon. For instance, a door that always creaks open in an empty house by itself. Third, present a character who is either naive or brave enough to step into this potentially scary situation. For example, a new homeowner who ignores the rumors about the haunted house and moves in. By including these elements, you can draw the reader in and make them eager to find out what will happen next in the scary story.
One well - known scary Japanese folklore story is 'Kuchisake - Onna'. She is a female spirit with a slit mouth. Legend has it that she asks people if they think she is beautiful. If you answer no, she'll kill you. If you answer yes, she'll slit your mouth to make it like hers.
Another spooky story is that of the Aka Manto. It often takes place in public toilets. He is a red - hooded figure. If you are in a toilet stall and he asks you if you want red paper or blue paper, choosing the wrong one could lead to a very unpleasant fate, like being dragged into the toilet or something equally horrifying.
One of the scariest Chinese folk stories is the 'Lady in White'. It's about a female ghost often seen in white robes near rivers or old bridges at night. She is said to be the spirit of a woman who died unjustly, and she lures people, especially men, to their doom.
The setting can enhance the scariness of a story by being isolated. An old, abandoned house in the middle of a dark forest, for example, immediately gives off a spooky vibe. There are no other people around for miles, and the main character is all alone with whatever lurks in that place.
Use suspense. Start with a question that the reader wants to know the answer to, like 'What was that strange figure lurking in the corner of the abandoned asylum?' It makes the reader curious and they will keep reading to find out.
One of the well - known Japanese urban legends is the Kuchisake - Onna. She is a woman with a slit mouth. Legend has it that she asks people if they think she is pretty. If you answer no, she will kill you. If you answer yes, she will slit your mouth to make it like hers.