Stephen King has a talent for quickly establishing a mood. In a very short story, he can make the setting seem menacing. His descriptions, though concise, are vivid. He might describe a shadow in a way that makes it seem alive and threatening. Also, his short stories often have a sense of mystery that makes you want to keep reading to find out what's really going on, like the scratches on the door in that motel story. It makes you curious about what could have caused them.
The use of language is crucial too. A very short story might use vivid and concise language to create a mood. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the description of the wallpaper is both creepy and symbolic, making the story engaging as it slowly reveals the narrator's psychological state.
The themes he explores are very real - world. Take 'Misery' for example. Obsession is something that exists in the real world, and King shows how it can spiral out of control in a very believable way. He also has a great sense of pacing. In his stories, there's always a build - up of tension that keeps you hooked from start to finish. He doesn't shy away from showing the darker side of human nature, which makes his stories feel more authentic.
One reason is his ability to create really vivid and terrifying horror. For example, in 'The Shining', the description of the haunted hotel is so detailed that it feels real.
In Stephen King's '1408', several things make it so scary. First, the setting of the haunted room 1408 itself is very eerie. The idea that a normal - looking hotel room can be filled with such malevolent forces is frightening. Also, the psychological aspect plays a big role. As the protagonist experiences the terrors, his mental state deteriorates, and we as readers are drawn into his growing insanity. Moreover, the things that happen in the room, like the changing environment and the appearance of strange entities, all contribute to the overall sense of terror.
The unknown. We don't really know what the Boogeyman is exactly, and that's what makes it so scary.
King's use of setting. He often sets the story in normal, relatable places like a family home. So it makes us think that such a horror could happen anywhere. For instance, a child's bedroom which is supposed to be a safe place but in the story becomes a place of terror.
The element of surprise. In very short suspense stories, there's often a sudden twist at the end. For example, in a story where a person is waiting for a friend at a deserted place. All of a sudden, the friend appears from a completely unexpected direction. It catches the reader off - guard.
The psychological depth. Stephen King has a knack for getting into the minds of his characters. In his scariest short stories, he often explores the darkest corners of the human psyche. For example, in 'The Mist', the fear of the unknown and the breakdown of society under extreme circumstances play on our deepest insecurities.
His rich vocabulary. He uses a wide range of words that paint vivid pictures in the listener's mind.
His ability to create fear. For example, in 'The Boogeyman', he makes the reader constantly on edge, fearing the unknown lurking in the closet. His vivid descriptions put the reader right in the middle of the horror.