You can do it by describing the setting in detail - the sights, sounds, smells. Mention local customs and landmarks to make it feel real.
Cruise ship fiction often uses detailed descriptions of the ship's layout, from the grand ballrooms to the tiny cabins. For example, in many books, they'll describe the luxurious dining areas with crystal chandeliers and fine china, which helps create a vivid sense of place.
They often use detailed descriptions. For example, in a historical fiction mystery set in Victorian London, the author might describe the foggy streets, the gas lamps, and the horse - drawn carriages. This immediately gives the reader a sense of the time and place. Also, the language used can be period - appropriate, like using archaic words or phrases common in that era.
You can use vivid verbs and descriptive language. For example, instead of saying 'he walked', say 'he strode purposefully'.
Historical horror fiction often uses the unfamiliarity of the past. The settings, which are different from our modern world, can be very spooky. For example, old castles or abandoned asylums in historical periods. It also uses the beliefs and superstitions of the past. If a story is set in a time when people believed in witches, it can play on those fears. The limited knowledge of the past, like in medicine or science, can also create dread. People couldn't explain certain things, and that mystery is used to build horror.
They often use the unknown. For example, in 'The Turn of the Screw', the governess isn't sure if the ghosts are real or just her imagination. This uncertainty creates fear. Also, descriptions of spooky settings like in 'The Haunting of Hill House' help. The old, creaking house with its cold hallways makes the reader feel uneasy.
Supernatural horror fiction creates fear in multiple ways. First, it plays on our primal fears. Things like death, the afterlife, and the existence of evil spirits are deeply ingrained in our psyche. By bringing these to the forefront in stories, it scares us. Second, it uses suspense. Writers build up tension, making us wonder what will happen next. For instance, in a story about a haunted house, we keep waiting for the next terrifying encounter. Third, the use of supernatural elements that violate the laws of nature, such as vampires that can't die or witches with powerful magic, makes us feel vulnerable and thus fearful.
One way is through the use of setting. A spooky old house or a fog - covered forest can immediately create an atmosphere of mystery and suspense. Also, withholding information from the reader. For example, not revealing the true identity of a monster or the cause of strange events right away.
Well, it also does it by playing with our ideas of identity. In body horror, a character might lose their sense of self as their body changes. For instance, in 'The Fly' the scientist slowly becomes less human and more fly - like. We as humans rely on our physical form to define who we are in a way. So when that form is radically altered, it makes us feel very uneasy. Additionally, the often - graphic and visceral descriptions of these body changes are a big part of it. Just the thought of flesh melting or bones reshaping in unnatural ways is enough to make most people squirm.
It creates a sense of wonder through its use of unknown technology. For example, if there are devices in the room that can manipulate time or space, it makes the viewer or reader wonder about the possibilities. Also, if the room has strange alien artifacts, it piques our curiosity.
Authors can use cliffhangers at the end of chapters. This makes readers eager to turn the page and see what happens next, creating a sense of forward movement.