Online short horror stories tend to focus on a single, terrifying concept. They might explore themes like death, madness, or the unknown. They also rely on the reader's imagination. Since they are short, they don't spell out every detail, making the reader fill in the gaps and thus making the horror more personal. For instance, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman's slow mental breakdown is left somewhat ambiguous, allowing the reader to imagine the full extent of her horror.
One characteristic is their ability to create a strong sense of atmosphere in a short space. They use vivid descriptions of spooky settings, such as the decaying mansion in 'The Fall of the House of Usher'. Also, they often end with a twist or a shock, leaving the reader with a lingering sense of dread. In 'The Monkey's Paw', the unexpected outcomes of the wishes are a prime example.
Good online horror short stories often have a strong sense of atmosphere. They can quickly draw you into a spooky setting, like a dark and abandoned house or a fog - covered graveyard. For example, in 'The Woman in Black', the desolate marshland setting adds to the overall horror. Another characteristic is the creation of a sense of dread. The story builds up tension gradually, making you feel that something bad is about to happen.
Typically, they are likely to have elements of the unknown. The fear of the unknown is a common characteristic in horror. For example, an unexplained sound or a shadow that moves on its own.
Often, they create a sense of unease and fear quickly. For example, they might start with a strange or disturbing setting like a haunted house or a desolate graveyard.
They are often filled with suspense. The authors build up tension to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
They are concise. Usually, they quickly establish a spooky or menacing situation. For example, in a short horror story, the horror might start within the first few sentences, like a strange noise in an empty house right at the start.
Many 1948 horror short stories often had a sense of mystery. They were set in rather ordinary settings which made the horror more relatable. For instance, like 'The Lottery', it was set in a small town that seemed normal at first glance.
One characteristic is the sense of the unknown. They often feature entities or forces that are beyond human understanding. For example, in Lovecraft's works, the cosmic entities are so alien that just looking at them or learning about them can drive a person insane. Another is the use of isolation. Characters are usually in remote or desolate places, like in the middle of a dark forest or on a lonely planet. This isolation heightens the sense of dread.
They are often full of suspense. Since they are short, every scene and description has to count towards building the horror. For example, the description of the vampire's lair might be brief but very eerie.
One characteristic is the use of superstition. For example, many stories involve ghosts, spirits, and traditional Chinese beliefs about the afterlife. This adds an air of mystery.
Most of the top 10 horror short stories have vivid descriptions. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', Poe's detailed description of the rooms and the figure of Death creates a terrifying atmosphere. They also play with human fears. 'The Yellow Wallpaper' taps into the fear of confinement and madness. Additionally, they can use elements of the supernatural, as seen in many of these stories such as 'The Monkey's Paw' with its magic and cursed object.