For his scariest novels like 'It', the ability to tap into universal fears is key. Fear of the unknown, fear of something lurking in the shadows. Pennywise represents that unknowable evil that can be anywhere. Also, the detailed descriptions of the town and the sewers where It hides make it seem more real and thus scarier.
For his scariest novels like 'It', the fear of the unknown is a big factor. We don't fully understand the true nature of It. Also, the vulnerability of the children characters makes it scarier as we naturally want to protect the young. And the fact that It can be anywhere, hidden in the sewers or disguised as something friendly, is truly terrifying.
In 'The Shining', the setting plays a huge role. The large, empty, and haunted hotel. The long corridors and the feeling that something is always watching. Also, Jack's transformation from a normal father and husband to a crazed killer adds to the horror. It shows how isolation and the power of the hotel's evil can break a person.
For novels like 'Salem's Lot', it's the transformation of a normal town into a place full of vampires. The slow takeover, the people you know turning into blood - sucking creatures, and the feeling of being trapped in a place where evil is spreading. Also, King's vivid descriptions make it seem so real, as if it could be your own town that gets infected.
For many of his scariest stories, it's the way he taps into our deepest fears. Like in 'It', the fear of the unknown and of things that go bump in the night. He also creates really vivid and disturbing characters. In 'The Shining', Jack Torrance's transformation is both believable and horrifying.
The way he creates a sense of unease. His vivid descriptions of ordinary places turning into something menacing. For example, in some stories, a simple small town becomes a place full of hidden horrors.
The psychological depth. Stephen King has a knack for getting into the minds of his characters. In his scariest short stories, he often explores the darkest corners of the human psyche. For example, in 'The Mist', the fear of the unknown and the breakdown of society under extreme circumstances play on our deepest insecurities.
The idea of being trapped in a small room with an inescapable horror. You can't just run away easily.
Take 'It' for example. It's scary because it targets children. Children are often seen as innocent and vulnerable. And Pennywise can take different forms, exploiting the fears of each individual. It's also set in a small town, which gives a sense of familiarity, making the horror more real.
The way it plays on common fears. The shape - shifting Pennywise can take on many forms that are disturbing, like a creepy clown. It preys on children, which is a very vulnerable group, and the idea of a hidden evil in a small town is also quite scary.
Take 'The Boogeyman'. It's terrifying because it taps into a very common childhood fear - the fear of the monster in the closet. King has a way of taking these simple, relatable fears and making them seem very real. The way he describes the boogeyman's presence, the sounds it makes, and the sense of helplessness of the characters makes it a truly scary read.