3 page horror short stories

Guilt also features often. A character may have done something wrong in the past and now they are haunted by it, like in some psychological horror 3 - page stories. Death is another typical theme. It could be a sudden and unexpected death or the fear of one's own impending death that drives the horror narrative.

Another is 'The Yellow Wallpaper' which can be considered a horror short story in a sense. A woman is confined to a room with yellow wallpaper for her 'rest cure'. As time passes, she becomes obsessed with the wallpaper, seeing disturbing patterns and figures in it, and her mental state deteriorates horribly.

A '1 page horror short story' could be 'The Monkey's Paw'. In this story, a family comes into possession of a magical monkey's paw that can grant wishes. But each wish comes with a terrible price. Their first wish for money results in the death of their son at work, and as they try to use the paw to undo the tragedy, more horror unfolds. It's a story that plays on the idea of being careful what you wish for in a very spooky way.

One horror story could be about a haunted house. In the '5 page horror stories', there might be a description of an old, dilapidated mansion on the outskirts of town. People who enter it start to hear strange whispers and see shadowy figures. The atmosphere is thick with dread, and as they explore further, they find old portraits with eyes that seem to follow them, leading to a terrifying discovery at the end.

One important element is the pacing. In just one page, the story needs to build tension quickly. It might start with a normal situation, like a person walking home at night. Then, little by little, strange things start to happen - a shadow that seems to be following, a strange smell. By the end of the page, it should reach a crescendo of horror. Also, strong, vivid imagery helps. Describing a grotesque monster with details like 'its eyes, glowing red, and its slime - covered tentacles' can make the horror more palpable in a short space.

They usually have a small number of characters. Since there is limited space, the author can't develop a large cast. In 'A Rose for Emily', the main focus is on Emily and the townspeople's perception of her. Also, 5 - page short stories tend to have a quick - paced plot. There's not much room for long, drawn - out build - ups. They often start near the inciting incident and move rapidly towards the climax and resolution, like in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' where the woman's mental state deteriorates quite quickly.

They are concise. In just 10 pages, they need to convey a complete plot. For example, they usually have a focused theme, like in 'The Necklace' by Guy de Maupassant, which is about the consequences of vanity.

Often, 20 - page short stories tend to have a limited number of characters. This allows for in - depth exploration of the main characters' personalities and motives. In 'The Cask of Amontillado', the two main characters are explored thoroughly in a relatively short space, making the story full of tension and mystery.

Often, 3 - page short stories focus on a single theme or idea intensely. Take 'The Yellow Wallpaper' as an example. In those few pages, it delves deeply into the mental breakdown of the female protagonist due to her confinement and the lack of agency she has. It's all about the exploration of her psychological state.

Writing 3 4 page short stories requires careful planning. Decide on the genre first, whether it's a mystery, a romance, or something else. If it's a mystery, drop hints early on. For instance, in the first page, mention a strange object or an out - of - place event. Develop the characters with just a few strokes. A character's name can also give a clue about their personality. As you write, read it aloud to check the flow. Cut out any unnecessary words or phrases. End with a twist or a thought - provoking conclusion.