Well, in a horror story, you'll usually find a spooky location. It might be a fog - covered cemetery at midnight or a decrepit asylum. There are often monsters, which could range from werewolves with their sharp teeth and menacing growls to zombies that slowly shamble towards the living. A sense of dread is also present. This is the feeling that something bad is going to happen, and it keeps you reading. And don't forget about the strange symbols or markings that seem to hold some sort of dark power. These five elements are often what make a horror story so terrifying.
First, there's the setting of a horror story. It could be a desolate forest where people get lost easily. Then there are the grotesque creatures, like the demon with horns and a forked tail. Thirdly, there are the disturbing events. For instance, people disappearing without a trace. Another thing is the feeling of being watched. The characters always feel like there are eyes on them. And finally, there are the prophecies or omens that signal doom. These are all typical elements in horror stories.
Dark and isolated settings. For example, an old, abandoned mansion deep in the forest where no one has been for years. Ghosts or other supernatural entities are also common. They can appear suddenly and create a sense of dread. Then there are strange noises, like creaking floors or howling winds that seem to have no natural source. Another thing is a sense of impending doom that the characters feel throughout the story. And often, there's a mystery that needs to be solved, which adds to the scariness as the characters and the reader try to figure it out.
One of the things you find in a horror story is a mystery. There's always something that the characters and the readers are trying to figure out, like what's behind the strange disappearances in the town. Then there's the use of the unknown. The writer often leaves things to the imagination, which makes it scarier. For instance, when you hear a strange scratching sound but don't know what's causing it. Strange weather can also be a part of it. Dark, stormy nights or sudden fog that descends without warning. And not to forget the element of death. Whether it's a recent death that haunts the place or the threat of death that looms over the characters.
You often find creepy locations like abandoned asylums or old haunted houses. Dark and shadowy figures are also common, lurking in the corners, waiting to strike. And there are usually strange noises, such as creaking floors or howling winds that add to the spooky atmosphere.
Unsettling psychological states. For example, the main character gradually losing their grip on reality, not sure if what they are experiencing is real or a hallucination. Another is the use of everyday objects in a menacing way. A simple doll that seems to move on its own or a mirror that shows something other than your reflection. Third, a sense of being trapped not just physically but also in a cycle of events that keep repeating in a nightmarish way. Fourth, a distortion of time, where minutes feel like hours and the characters are disoriented. Fifth, an invisible presence that you can only sense through small changes in the environment like a sudden drop in temperature or a strange smell.
Ghosts. They are often the main source of fear, lurking in old houses or dark corners.
Things like a full moon are common in scary stories. It gives an eerie glow and is often associated with werewolves. Also, there are mysterious objects, for example, a cursed doll that seems to have a life of its own. And don't forget the fog, which can hide all kinds of terrors.
Five things to write about could be a cursed object that brings bad luck to whoever possesses it, a creepy abandoned town with a dark history, a monster lurking in the basement, a possessed mirror that shows disturbing images, and a series of unexplained disappearances in a small community.
The full text of 'Old Things in the South of the City' included the following five things: Camel Xiangzi's Enlistment: It tells the story of Camel Xiangzi, who joined the army in order to escape war and exploitation during the warlord era and experienced many hardships and difficulties in the army. 2. Yingzi's Marriage Story: It tells the story of Yingzi and Camel Xiangzi's relationship and what happened at their wedding. The Life and Death of Little Blessing: It tells the true story of Little Blessing. She is a girl living in poverty who chose to commit suicide in order to protect herself and her child during the war. Teahouse Story: tells the story of the teahouse, including the story between the teahouse owner and the customers, as well as the time that Camel Xiangzi and other customers spent in the teahouse. The story of the old things in the south of the city, including the history and culture of the south of the city, as well as the life experience of Camel Xiangzi in the south of the city.
Murderers. The idea of a deranged person on the loose, hunting down victims, is truly terrifying.