Use cliffhangers at the end of sections. Say, a character is about to open a door that they've been warned not to. End the part there and make the reader wait to find out what's behind the door. Also, play with the reader's expectations. You might make it seem like a friendly neighbor is coming to help, but then as they get closer, their appearance changes into something menacing.
Well, the setting can enhance the scariness in multiple ways. If it's set in a fog - filled cemetery, the fog can obscure vision, and you can't tell what's out there. The tombstones and the feeling of death all around add to the horror. A small, claustrophobic room where the character is trapped and the only way out is through the door where the 'let me in' is coming from is very effective. The lack of space makes the character feel more vulnerable. Also, a cold, damp cellar can be a great setting. The cold seeps into your bones, and you can imagine all sorts of things lurking in the shadows.
Using the element of time can be very effective. If you set a deadline or a ticking clock situation, like the protagonist has to get out of a haunted place before sunrise, it creates a lot of tension. Every second that passes makes the situation seem more and more dire, and the reader feels the pressure along with the character in the story.
It builds suspense through its pacing. It might start slowly, introducing the toe in an ordinary way at first and then gradually revealing more and more strange things about it.
Using short, cryptic messages helps build suspense. If the text says 'It's coming for you' but doesn't say what 'it' is. You start to imagine all sorts of scary things. And when the messages keep coming at intervals, like waiting for the next one, it keeps the tension high. For instance, you get one text in the morning and have to wait all day for the next one, constantly on edge.
To build a scary story, start with a normal situation that quickly takes a dark turn. For instance, a family on a road trip decides to take a shortcut through a desolate area. Suddenly, their car breaks down. As night falls, they notice strange lights in the distance. One of the family members goes to investigate and doesn't come back. The remaining family is left in the car, hearing strange growls outside, not knowing what's out there waiting for them in the pitch - black night.
The short story could build suspense by creating false alarms. For instance, the protagonist might think they've escaped the clown, but then they hear a faint jingle of bells that could be from the clown's costume. This back - and - forth of thinking they're safe and then realizing the danger is still there keeps the reader guessing and builds suspense.
There was a haunted hotel. A journalist decided to stay there to write an article about it. In the middle of the night, she heard a piano playing from the empty ballroom downstairs. She went to check it out. As she entered the ballroom, the piano stopped. But then she saw a figure in a white dress sitting on a chair. The figure slowly turned its head towards her, and its eyes were empty black holes.
Sure! Once upon a time, there was an old abandoned house at the end of the street. Everyone said it was haunted. One night, a brave guy decided to explore it. As soon as he stepped inside, he heard strange noises and saw creepy shadows moving.
There was a cemetery where a witch was said to be buried. Every night, a mist would rise from her grave. A girl, curious about the tales, went there one night. As she walked among the tombstones, she felt a chill in the air. Then, she saw a pair of glowing eyes in the distance. She froze. The eyes got closer and closer, and she could make out a figure with a tattered black cloak. It let out a screech that made her ears ring. She ran as fast as she could, never looking back.
Well, a great scary story often has an atmosphere of dread. This can be created by things like a dark and foggy setting, or a very quiet place where the slightest sound seems amplified. The idea of being hunted is also terrifying. For example, if there's a serial killer on the loose in the story, and the main character can't escape. And don't forget the power of the unexpected. A sudden jump scare or a plot twist that you never saw coming can make a story truly scary.