The element of surprise is crucial in a spooky ghost story. If a ghost suddenly appears out of nowhere, like when you open a door and it's right there in front of you, it gives you a shock. And if the ghost can interact with the physical world, like moving objects or leaving cold spots, it makes the story even scarier. It makes the reader or listener feel like they could be in the same situation and experience those strange and terrifying things.
Effective scary spooky stories often have a sense of impending doom. They build up tension gradually. Take the story of the approaching monster in 'Jaws'. You know something bad is going to happen, but you don't know exactly when. Also, the use of the senses is important. Describing strange sounds, like creaking doors or howling winds, or a cold touch can make the reader or listener feel like they are in the story. And characters that the audience can relate to, so when bad things happen to them, it feels more real.
The unknown elements. For example, in a spooky story, if there are strange noises coming from an unseen place, like the attic or the basement. Kids don't know what's making those noises, and their imaginations start to run wild. It could be a monster or a ghost. Also, dark and gloomy settings play a big role. A spooky old house with creaky floors and broken windows immediately sets a scary mood. And the presence of something that's not quite normal, like a talking animal or a floating object, can be really frightening for kids.
A sense of dread and isolation. If the story is set in a lonely place like an old forest or a deserted building, it adds to the scariness. Also, if the characters in the story are alone and helpless, it makes the ghost seem more menacing. For instance, a person lost in a haunted castle with no way to escape and a ghostly presence lurking in the shadows.
Sound plays a crucial role in a scary ghost story. Eerie noises such as creaking floors, howling winds, or disembodied whispers can send shivers down one's spine. In addition, the element of psychological horror, like the slow realization that something is wrong or the feeling of being watched, can make a really scary ghost story. For example, a character in a story who keeps noticing that things in their house are slightly out of place, and then they start to feel a cold presence.
The unknown. When you don't know what the ghost will do next or what it really is, that's what makes it truly terrifying. For example, in a story where a person hears strange noises at night but can't see the source. It could be anything, and that sense of not knowing keeps the fear alive.
The unexpected elements make a Christmas ghost story really scary. For example, when the setting is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration like Christmas, and suddenly a ghost appears. It's a sharp contrast to the warm and festive atmosphere. Also, the idea of a ghost being tied to a place during a time when families gather there can be terrifying. The thought that there could be an unseen presence while you're opening presents or having dinner is spooky.
The sense of helplessness. In a good ghost scary story, the characters usually can't do much to fight against the ghost. Like in the story of the haunted mansion where the people who enter are haunted forever, no matter what they try. It gives a feeling that we are at the mercy of the supernatural, which is really terrifying. Also, the setting plays a big role. If it's a dark, isolated place like an abandoned asylum or a deep forest, it adds to the scariness because it's a place where help is far away.
The way it interacts with the living. If the ghost can touch people, move objects around them, or even enter their dreams, that's really scary. It makes the line between the living and the dead seem so thin. For instance, a ghost that leaves cold spots on your skin when it passes by or writes messages on foggy mirrors.
Sure. There's a story about a cursed cabin in the woods. Years ago, a family was brutally murdered in that cabin. Ever since, those who dare to enter at night say they can feel a cold presence. The lights flicker on and off, and there are strange scratches on the walls as if something is trying to get out. Some have heard blood - curdling screams coming from inside when there's no one else around.
A story can be spooky but not scary when it has elements of mystery. For example, a story about a strange light in the forest at night. It creates a spooky mood as we don't know what the light is immediately. But if it turns out to be a lost camper's flashlight, it's not scary. It's the unknown factor that gives the spookiness without the real threat of danger.