What do you think makes scary stories scary?
I was thinking of getting into writing some short scary stories, but I want to know what makes them so scary. What are you the most afraid of? :)
I was thinking of getting into writing some short scary stories, but I want to know what makes them so scary. What are you the most afraid of? :)
mushi!!!
Favorite Answer
Good tip for WRITING scary stories is to include a lot of chilling detail. ex: Her hair stood on end. Her spine tingled with a frightening sense of familiarity and fear. The thing--whatever it was--that haunted her for so long, was near, and it was angry.
Or something of the sort. Just...detail detail detail. Force the reader into the protagonists shoes. Make your reader FEEL the fear, and not just READ it...if that makes any sense at all.
I agree though, people are most afraid of the unknown. The less they know, the more afraid they are. Even in the end if you leave whatever is causing fear, vague, it can increase fear.
Read the short story 'The Raft' by Stephan King. He does an excellent job of scaring his readers.
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To me, it's ALL about the anticipation. I love scary stories and movies, but the blood and gore doesn't do it for me. What scares me the most is the unknown...The dark stranger outside that keeps banging on the door and disappearing, not knowing what he wants or when he will make his move. I have to be "built-up". It's is so much more frightening when the scene builds and you're on the edge of your seat, rather than something popping out and grabbing someone. I hope you understand what I mean. I can't think of any examples for books/stories, but two examples of movies that do this are "Strangers" and" Vacancy". They are somewhat similar. In the first, a couple is terrorized by 3 strangers outside of their house. They are wearing masks and banging on the door, etc. They also are somehow getting in the house without the couple realizing it, but then the couple notices that something has been moved or taken, etc. The second movie is basically the same...A couple gets stranded when their car breaks down, and the end up at a motel in the middle of nowhere. Then some people start doing the same to them that the strangers did in the other movie. I find that sort of thing very terrifying! I can watch slasher movies all day and not flinch. GOOD LUCK!
Jo Spumoni
Most people are afraid of the unknown. That's why in classic horror movies, you don't see the monster until the end. But it's also why most scary movies have to do with death, darkness, and mystery.
Jennifer
I think when scary movies deal with everyday objects, it get scary. The Ring: Phone + TV,
Mirrors: Mirrors.
They haunt the person when the see the everyday object. Or at least that's what I think. :) Hope it helps
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Most of the time, it is the suspense -- who will die, or who will experience fear or pain?. Who or what is going to sneak up on you and GRAB you?