Well, a common theme is struggle. People in these stories often struggle with poverty, illness, or difficult relationships. Another theme is despair. They may feel hopeless and not see a way out of their bad situations. And then there's the theme of change, usually for the worse, like a sudden turn in fortune that leaves them in a terrible state. For example, someone who was doing well in life but then got into an accident and became disabled, and had to face a completely different and difficult life from then on.
One terrible life story could be about a person who lost their family in a natural disaster. They were left all alone, with their home destroyed. Struggling to survive both physically and mentally, having to face the harsh reality of starting from scratch without the support of their loved ones.
The story of the Screaming Skull at Bettiscombe Manor is quite terrifying. Legend has it that there is a skull in the manor that screams when something bad is about to happen. People who have visited the manor claim to have heard the most blood - curdling screams coming from nowhere.
Some are too intense. For example, if a story is full of loud noises and sudden, violent actions in the plot, it can over - stimulate a child before bed. They might end up more excited or even scared rather than calm.
One of my terrible day stories was when I woke up late for an important exam. I rushed to get dressed and skipped breakfast. On my way to school, I got a flat tire. I had to call for help but no one was available quickly. By the time I reached school, the exam had already started. I was so flustered that I couldn't focus well and ended up doing poorly.
One reason could be poor writing. If the grammar is all over the place and the sentences are hard to follow, it makes the reading experience really bad. Also, if the characters are not well - developed and seem flat, it can ruin the whole story.
Well, it could be the plot. Maybe it's full of holes and doesn't make any sense. For example, the story might jump from one event to another without proper transition.
It could be because the plot is full of holes. In a good Harry Potter fanfic, the plot should be somewhat consistent with the original series. If this 'raven' fanfic has a really disjointed plot, that would make it terrible.
My terrible first date story involves going to the movies. My date talked throughout the whole movie, spoiling it for everyone around us. After the movie, they were really rude to the staff at the theater. It was a nightmare.
Another is the case of Adam Walsh. In 1981, he was abducted from a Sears department store in Florida. His father, John Walsh, became a well - known advocate for missing children. Adam's body was later found decapitated. This tragic event led to significant changes in how missing children cases are handled in the United States, such as the creation of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.