It often creates fear by messing with our sense of reality. In paranormal horror, things like time and space can be distorted. Take a haunted house where rooms seem to change size or corridors lead to places that shouldn't exist. Also, the idea of entities that can invade our minds, like in demonic possession stories, is really terrifying. These elements combine to make the reader or viewer feel vulnerable and afraid. It's also about the anticipation. The build - up to a possible paranormal encounter, with strange sounds or signs before the big scare, gets our hearts racing.
Paranormal horror fiction creates fear in multiple ways. One way is by using elements that are against the natural order. For instance, when a character has premonitions that always come true in a very dark way. This defies our understanding of how the world should work. Another is through isolation. If a person is alone in a place filled with paranormal activity, like an old mansion in the middle of nowhere, they feel helpless. And the use of the supernatural to target our deepest fears, such as the fear of death or the loss of our sanity, is also very effective in creating fear in this genre.
Paranormal horror fiction creates fear through the unknown. For example, ghosts and spirits are often used. We don't really understand what they are or what they can do, so it scares us. Strange noises, apparitions, and things moving on their own all play on our fear of the unexplained.
They often use atmosphere. In 'It', Stephen King describes the sewers and the town of Derry in a way that makes them seem menacing. The isolation, the strange noises, and the lurking presence all contribute to the fear. Also, the use of psychological elements like the characters' fears and traumas. In 'Rosemary's Baby', Rosemary's growing paranoia about her pregnancy adds to the overall sense of dread.
Supernatural horror fiction creates fear in multiple ways. First, it plays on our primal fears. Things like death, the afterlife, and the existence of evil spirits are deeply ingrained in our psyche. By bringing these to the forefront in stories, it scares us. Second, it uses suspense. Writers build up tension, making us wonder what will happen next. For instance, in a story about a haunted house, we keep waiting for the next terrifying encounter. Third, the use of supernatural elements that violate the laws of nature, such as vampires that can't die or witches with powerful magic, makes us feel vulnerable and thus fearful.
An incubus creates fear in horror stories in several ways. Firstly, the idea of a malevolent being entering your most private and vulnerable state - sleep - is terrifying. It can also represent a threat to one's chastity or mental well - being. The unknown nature of what it might do while in this intimate encounter in the dream world adds to the fear. Moreover, the incubus is often part of a larger supernatural world in horror stories, and its presence might signal other, even greater threats lurking in the shadows.
The structure creates fear by starting with the normal. When readers see a normal situation turn bad, it makes them fear for their own normal lives. For example, if a story starts in a peaceful neighborhood and then murders start happening, it makes the reader think 'this could happen to me'. The build - up of suspense also plays a big role. The more the characters discover and the more questions are raised, the more the reader feels on edge.
In the structure, the build - up of events is crucial. It starts with normal things, then slowly adds in abnormal elements. Like first a character has a normal day, but then they find a strange object. As the story goes on, more and more strange things happen around that object, making the fear grow. Also, the way the horror is revealed bit by bit, like a shadow slowly taking shape, is very effective in creating fear.
Well, horror fiction stories create fear by playing on our basic human fears. Fear of death, fear of the dark, and fear of the loss of control are common themes. They also use elements like suspense. By making the reader wonder what will happen next, it keeps us on the edge of our seats. For instance, in a story where a character hears strange noises in an old mansion at night, we start to fear for their safety. The anticipation of something bad happening is a big part of creating fear in horror stories. Also, the use of disturbing imagery, such as a blood - soaked room or a deformed creature, can really send shivers down our spines.
A psychological horror novel creates fear mainly through messing with the reader's mind. It often uses elements like unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Shining', we're not always sure if what Jack is experiencing is real or just in his head. This makes the reader question what's true and what's not, which is scary. Another way is by playing on common fears such as the fear of the unknown. In 'Psycho', we don't really know what Norman Bates has done until later in the story, and that anticipation builds fear.
By its appearance. The distorted face and strange makeup can be really scary.
The unknown entity doing the possessing is also a big factor. We don't know what it wants or how far it will go. For example, in 'The Exorcist', the demon's motives are unclear at first, and its power is terrifying. The grotesque changes in the possessed character's behavior, like unnatural contortions and speaking in strange voices, add to the horror. The idea that this could happen to anyone makes it even scarier.
Paranormal fiction often focuses on the existence of supernatural elements like ghosts, vampires, or magic. It may not always be about scaring the reader. Horror fiction, on the other hand, is mainly about creating fear. For example, a paranormal fiction book might explore a vampire's love story, while a horror story about vampires would be more about their blood - thirsty and terrifying nature.