To create suspense in a horror story, you could have sudden twists and turns in the plot. Let the characters think they're safe and then throw them into danger unexpectedly. And use slow pacing at times to build anticipation.
You can start by building up tension slowly. For example, introduce mysterious elements or strange noises that make the reader or viewer wonder what's coming next.
Well, one way to do it is to give hints and clues but keep the full picture hidden. Maybe have characters discover creepy things but not understand their significance right away. Also, playing with the setting and lighting can add to the suspense. Like a dark, abandoned house with strange shadows.
Use of foreshadowing is key. Drop little hints in the preview about something bad that might happen. For instance, a character might mention a local legend that seems to be coming to life.
Conflict creates suspense by making the reader wonder who will win. For instance, when the hero is facing a powerful demon in a horror story, we don't know if they will survive. This uncertainty builds suspense. If there's an internal conflict like a character trying to resist the urge to open a cursed box, we're on the edge of our seats waiting to see if they'll give in.
When a bleat is described in a horror story, it can be associated with the unknown. For example, the characters might be in a spooky old barn. They hear a bleat but can't see the source. As they search for the origin of the bleat, the suspense builds. Every step they take towards the sound could lead them to danger, or it could be a false alarm that just makes them more paranoid for when the real horror arrives.
First, you need to understand your audience's fears. Are they more afraid of the supernatural or real - life terrors? Then, create a strong protagonist that the readers can root for. Next, use the setting effectively. A spooky forest or an old asylum can set the mood. Also, don't be afraid to play with the readers' minds, for example, by making them doubt the sanity of the characters. And finally, end with a satisfying and often unexpected conclusion.
By withholding information. For example, if the framing story is about a character approaching the vault of horror, not revealing what's inside right away builds suspense.
You can create suspense by leaving the reader in the dark about certain crucial details or by introducing time pressure for the characters.
Transformation in horror stories creates suspense mainly by introducing the unknown. When a character starts to transform, we don't know what the end result will be. This uncertainty makes the reader or viewer on edge. For example, if a person's eyes start to change color and their body trembles, we wonder what hideous form they will take. Also, it can disrupt the status quo. If a previously normal situation suddenly has a character transforming, it shatters the sense of safety and makes us anticipate more bad things to come.
Horror mysteries create suspense through their settings. For example, in a spooky old mansion like in 'The Haunting of Hill House', the creaky floors and dark corridors immediately make you feel on edge. The unknown also plays a big part. When the characters don't know what's causing the strange noises or disappearances, it makes the readers or viewers wonder and be in suspense.
Horror thriller stories create suspense by playing with the reader's or viewer's expectations. In 'It', the shape - shifting nature of the monster means you never really know what form it will take next. This uncertainty is what creates suspense. Also, the pacing of the story is important. A slow build - up, like in 'The Birds', where at first it's just a few strange bird behaviors and then it escalates into a full - blown attack, keeps the audience in a state of anticipation. And the use of unreliable narrators, like in some horror thrillers, can also add to the mystery and suspense.
Slasher horror novels create suspense in multiple ways. One important aspect is the building of the killer's character. Even if the identity of the slasher is hidden, the hints about their motives and their modus operandi create suspense. For instance, if the killer seems to target a specific type of person, the readers will be on edge whenever a character fitting that description is in the scene. The limited point of view of the characters also helps. We only know as much as the characters do, so when they are in the dark about the danger, so are we. And the use of false alarms, where it seems like the killer is about to strike but doesn't, is another effective technique to keep the suspense high.