The sense of impending doom. In real terrifying stories, often there's a feeling that something bad is going to happen and there's no way to avoid it. For instance, in a story where a character is trapped in a haunted place, they know that danger is lurking and they can't escape easily. This creates a great deal of fear. Also, the use of the senses in a vivid way in the story can be terrifying. If we can almost smell the decay or feel the cold touch described in the story, it makes it all the more real and scary.
The unknown is a big factor. In real terrifying stories, when we don't know what is causing the strange events, it scares us. For example, in a story about a haunted place, not knowing what the ghostly presence is or what it wants makes it terrifying.
Isolation also plays a role. If a person is alone in a situation, like the hiker lost in the woods, it intensifies the fear. There's no one to turn to for help. And the feeling of being hunted, like something is after you, that's really scary. Another element could be the violation of the normal. When things happen that shouldn't be possible, like objects moving on their own in a real terrifying story, it sends shivers down our spines. It goes against what we know as normal and safe in our world.
The unknown is a big factor. In a forest, there could be all kinds of hidden things like unseen creatures or dangerous terrains. For example, in many stories, there are strange noises that the characters can't identify. It could be a wild animal or something more supernatural.
The unknown. In demonic stories, we often don't know what the entity really is or what it wants. For example, a shadowy figure that just appears and disappears, leaving you with a sense of unease.
The unknown. In real horror stories, when there are things that can't be easily explained, it scares people. For example, in the story of the Bell Witch, no one could really figure out what the spirit was or how to stop it. It was the mystery that added to the terror.
Well, the use of suspense is a big part. Take a story where a character is being followed but doesn't know by what. It keeps you on the edge of your seat. The unexpected twists are also crucial. Maybe a character thought they were safe, but then suddenly they're in danger again. And the dark settings, like old basements or abandoned asylums in scary stories, add to the overall sense of dread.
The unknown is a big factor. For example, in my camping story, not knowing what was making those rustling sounds and having only a glimpse of the glowing eyes was terrifying. It's the fear of the unseen.
The unknown. In scary flash stories, things that are not clearly defined or understood create fear. For example, a strange noise in the dark. You don't know what's making it, and that scares you.
Isolation also plays a role. In many scary stories, the characters are alone, like in an abandoned building or a desolate forest. There's no one to turn to for help, which makes the situation seem more dire. Also, the use of the supernatural, such as ghosts or curses, adds to the terror because it goes beyond our normal understanding of the world. Another element is the sense of impending doom. The feeling that something bad is about to happen and there's no way to stop it.
The unknown. In full scary stories, not knowing what's going to happen next or what that strange noise is really creates fear. For example, in a story about a haunted house, the creaking floorboards could be just old wood, but the idea that it might be something supernatural is scary.
The unfamiliarity of the past periods is a big factor. For example, in stories set in medieval times, the different beliefs, superstitions, and the harsh living conditions create an atmosphere of fear. People didn't have the modern knowledge we have now, and things like diseases were often blamed on the supernatural.
One factor is the element of surprise. In these stories, bigfoot usually appears suddenly, catching people off - guard. The descriptions of its appearance, with long hair and a large, ape - like build, are intimidating. Moreover, the idea that there could be a large, unknown creature lurking in the woods where people often go for recreation or work makes these stories truly terrifying. For example, a hiker may feel safe in the forest until they have a bigfoot encounter, which shatters their sense of security.