He uses foreshadowing. King drops little hints early in the story about what might come later. This makes the reader anticipate and be on guard for something bad or strange to happen.
The characters' reactions also contribute to the tension. King creates characters who are often in a state of confusion or fear when faced with the strange happenings in Haven. Their uncertainty and the danger they sense but can't fully understand add to the overall feeling of tension in the short stories.
Stephen King often plants little hints and foreshadowing throughout the story. These small clues make the reader aware that something bad is coming, but not exactly what it is. And he also plays with the readers' emotions. He might make us feel sympathy for a character and then put that character in a terrifying situation, which heightens the tension.
He uses vivid descriptions. For example, in 'The Boogeyman', he describes the dark corners and the unknown lurking there. This makes readers feel the unease.
He uses details. Every creak of the floorboards in the room, every shadow in the corner can be a source of suspense. By describing these small things in a vivid way, he makes the reader feel as if they are in the room too and are on edge.
He uses the unknown. The mist itself is a big mystery. We don't know what's in it at first, which creates immediate suspense. Also, the slow revelation of the creatures. He doesn't show all the terrifying things right away. Instead, he gives little hints and glimpses, like the tentacles at the beginning. This keeps the reader on edge, wondering what else is lurking.
Stephen King builds suspense by creating complex characters. The shooter isn't just a one - dimensional villain. He might give the shooter some relatable qualities or a backstory that makes the reader feel a sense of unease. We start to wonder how someone who could have some good in them could do such a terrible thing. Also, he may use the setting of the school. The familiar and usually safe environment of a school turned into a place of danger creates a lot of suspense.
The character of 'It' itself is a great suspense - builder. Since 'It' can take different forms, the readers are always on edge, not knowing what form 'It' will take next. Also, the pacing of the story helps. There are slow, tense moments where the characters are just waiting for something to happen, and then sudden, terrifying events.
In 'Elevation' by Stephen King which has two stories, he creates suspense in multiple ways. One is by gradually revealing the reactions of the townspeople. As they start to notice the main character's odd transformation, their different responses add to the suspense. Also, the main character's own internal struggle with his condition makes us wonder how he will cope and what the final outcome will be for him.
One way is to create a sense of time pressure. Make the characters have a limited amount of time to achieve their goal.
Yes, he does. Stephen King has written numerous short stories. His short - story collections are very popular and showcase his talent for concise yet impactful storytelling.
Stephen King has said that his dreams can be a rich source of inspiration for his stories. Maybe his subconscious mind weaves together various elements during sleep, like strange characters, eerie settings, and unique plot ideas. Then, when he wakes up, he can recall and start to develop these dream - inspired concepts into full - fledged stories.