For an abandoned asylum setting, describe the cold, damp hallways and the peeling paint on the walls. Mention the sounds of doors creaking and the feeling of being watched. In a forest setting, talk about the branches that seem to reach out like arms and the strange howls in the distance.
When using an old mansion as a setting, detail the broken staircases, the cobwebs in every corner, and the portraits on the walls that seem to have a life of their own. For a cave, emphasize the claustrophobic feeling and the dripping water that echoes in the silence. Also, for a graveyard, describe the old tombstones and the sense of the dead being restless.
Abandoned asylums are great settings. They are full of long, dark corridors, empty cells, and a sense of forgotten madness. Another one is the deep, dark forest. The thick trees block out the sun, there are strange noises, and it gives a feeling of being lost and surrounded by the unknown. Graveyards at night are also good. The tombstones, the silence broken only by the wind, and the idea of the dead below create a spooky atmosphere.
You can use creepy street names as the setting of your horror story. For example, if your story takes place on 'Shadow Lane', you can describe how the shadows seem to move on their own, and how the main character feels a sense of unease as they walk down the lane. It sets the mood right from the start.
They add to the horror by breaking the familiar. A normal city street doesn't usually evoke fear, but an otherworldly, floating city in the sky that defies the laws of physics? That's a whole different story. The unfamiliarity of such a setting makes it difficult for the characters and the audience to anticipate what might happen next. In an unusual setting like a time - looped town where the same day repeats with small, but increasingly sinister changes, it keeps the tension high as the characters struggle to figure out what's going on.
Horror settings enhance horror stories by creating an atmosphere of unease. For example, an old, dark forest with gnarled trees can immediately make the reader feel a sense of danger. The setting can also act as a source of mystery. In a spooky old mansion, there are so many nooks and crannies that could hold secrets, which adds to the tension. It gives the unknown a physical place to exist.
You can also use the events of the great time periods to drive the plot. Let's say the time period is the American Civil War. You can have a story about a family divided by the war, with one side fighting for the Union and the other for the Confederacy. This creates a lot of conflict and drama.
Just use a really strong sentence starter like 'A blood - curdling scream echoed through the forest...'. This will make the reader want to know who screamed and why. It creates instant intrigue.
You can start by reading through the free werewolf narratives you've found. Then, pick out the elements that interest you the most, like the werewolf's transformation process or its relationship with other characters. Incorporate these elements into your own story, maybe changing some details to fit your unique plot.
One way to use 'I can use my words' in social stories is by creating scenarios. Let's say you're writing a story about a child at school. 'I can use my words to ask for help. If I don't understand the math problem, I can say to the teacher, 'I'm having trouble with this problem. Can you help me?' It emphasizes the positive behavior of using words instead of getting frustrated or acting out.
Use them sparingly. For example, if you keep saying 'A terrifying figure lurked everywhere', it loses its impact. Instead, place it at key moments like when the protagonist is about to open a mysterious door. So you can write 'As she reached for the doorknob, a terrifying figure lurked in the shadows just beyond her vision'.
Use them as a starting point. For example, if your prompt is a haunted house, start by describing the exterior in a spooky way. Then, introduce the characters who are about to enter it. Just jump right into the action.