Well, in many famous ghost stories, there's a sense of helplessness. For instance, in the story of the Amityville Horror, the family feels they can't escape the hauntings no matter what they do. The ghosts seem to have power over the environment and the people. And often, there are unexplained events like doors slamming on their own or strange apparitions suddenly appearing, which all add to the scariness.
Isolation is often present. Take 'The Woman in Black'. The main character is often alone in that spooky old house. Being alone with the possible presence of a ghost makes it scarier. Also, the atmosphere in these stories, like in 'The Haunting of Hill House', is usually dark, cold, and full of strange noises. This combination of elements makes the ghost story really scary.
The setting plays a crucial role. Take 'The Amityville Horror' for example. A large, old, and isolated house provides the perfect backdrop for a scary story. The creaking floors, dark hallways, and the feeling of being alone in such a place add to the fear.
The historical context often makes them interesting. For example, in the ghost stories related to old hotels like the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, the history of the building and the people who once lived or worked there add depth. If there was a real - life tragedy, like the bride's death, it makes the story more engaging.
One element is the history associated with the roads and areas that truckers travel. If there have been a lot of accidents or tragedies in a particular place, it adds to the spookiness. For example, if a trucker passes by a site where a fatal accident happened years ago and then experiences something strange, it's easy to connect it to the past event. Another aspect is the large, empty spaces. The vastness of the highways and the darkness at night create an atmosphere of unease. And when something out of the ordinary occurs, like a mysterious light or a phantom sound, it stands out in that desolate setting. Plus, the fact that trucks themselves can be a bit intimidating, so when there are ghostly happenings around them, it's even more terrifying.
The power of suggestion. Once we hear a ghost story, especially if it's about a place we know or can imagine, our minds start to play tricks on us. We might see something out of the corner of our eye or hear a strange noise and immediately think it's related to the ghost. This self - perpetuating cycle of belief and suggestion makes these stories spread and become more popular.
There were many famous ghost stories, among which the more famous ones included Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio and Yuewei Cottage Notes. Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio had many horror and strange stories, such as The Peony Pavilion and The Legend of Liu Yi, which were regarded as the pinnacle of horror novels in ancient China. Yuewei Cottage's Notes was one of the representative works of the Qing Dynasty. It recorded many bizarre and strange stories, such as " The Stone Official " and " The Newlywed Goodbye." It was also known as a masterpiece of ancient Chinese horror novels.
One element is misdirection. For example, when you think it's a real ghost but it's actually something mundane like a cat knocking things over in a spooky - looking old house. Another is the reaction of the characters. If they overreact to a non - ghostly situation, it can be both scary at first and funny later. For instance, when someone screams at a floating balloon thinking it's a spirit in a haunted place.
One key element is the atmosphere. A dark and quiet place with a sense of isolation, like an abandoned asylum. This makes the reader or listener feel vulnerable. The element of surprise is also crucial. For instance, when a character thinks they are safe and then suddenly the ghost appears. And the backstory of the ghost, if it has a tragic or malevolent past, adds to the scariness.
The unknown is a key element. When the reader or listener doesn't know what the ghost is going to do next, it creates fear. For example, if a ghost is just described as a shadowy figure lurking in the corner, the lack of clear details makes it scarier.
One key element is the appearance of the tiger ghost. For example, if it has glowing eyes or a strange color like white which is often associated with the supernatural. Another element is the setting. A dark, lonely forest or a spooky valley makes the story scarier. Also, a backstory of why the tiger became a ghost, like it was wronged or killed brutally, adds to the scariness.
The unknown. When there are things that can't be explained, like strange noises in an empty house. For example, if you hear creaking floors but no one is there. Also, a sense of being watched. It gives you the feeling that there's something there that you can't see. And apparitions, like seeing a figure out of the corner of your eye that vanishes when you look directly at it.