The use of limited visibility, such as a character being in a dark room with only a small flashlight. Also, the presence of something just out of sight but hinted at, like a figure that you can only see the outline of in the shadows.
Things like hidden secrets are used. For example, if a character has a dark past that's gradually uncovered, it builds suspense. Also, the discovery of new and unexpected clues keeps the reader guessing. Every time a new clue is found, it makes the reader wonder how it fits into the overall mystery.
When a bleat is described in a horror story, it can be associated with the unknown. For example, the characters might be in a spooky old barn. They hear a bleat but can't see the source. As they search for the origin of the bleat, the suspense builds. Every step they take towards the sound could lead them to danger, or it could be a false alarm that just makes them more paranoid for when the real horror arrives.
You can start by building up tension slowly. For example, introduce mysterious elements or strange noises that make the reader or viewer wonder what's coming next.
Well, let's say in the ghost story, the pie is in an old, abandoned house. The main character is lured into the house by the smell of the pie. As they approach the pie, the air gets colder and there are whispers. The pie is like a centerpiece of mystery. Is it a trap set by the ghost? Is it poisoned? All these questions make the story suspenseful as the character inches closer to the pie and the potential danger associated with it.
You could have the ants be possessed by some evil spirit. In the story, these ants start to exhibit strange and malevolent behavior. They burrow into people's skin and drive them insane with the pain and the knowledge that they are being eaten alive from the inside. For example, a character wakes up to find his body covered in tiny holes made by the ants and he can feel them moving inside him.
Use of foreshadowing is key. Drop little hints in the preview about something bad that might happen. For instance, a character might mention a local legend that seems to be coming to life.
Conflict creates suspense by making the reader wonder who will win. For instance, when the hero is facing a powerful demon in a horror story, we don't know if they will survive. This uncertainty builds suspense. If there's an internal conflict like a character trying to resist the urge to open a cursed box, we're on the edge of our seats waiting to see if they'll give in.
First, you need to understand your audience's fears. Are they more afraid of the supernatural or real - life terrors? Then, create a strong protagonist that the readers can root for. Next, use the setting effectively. A spooky forest or an old asylum can set the mood. Also, don't be afraid to play with the readers' minds, for example, by making them doubt the sanity of the characters. And finally, end with a satisfying and often unexpected conclusion.
By withholding information. For example, if the framing story is about a character approaching the vault of horror, not revealing what's inside right away builds suspense.
The voice can be used in various ways. For example, an unreliable narrator's voice can create doubt and mystery. If the narrator seems to be hiding something or is not entirely trustworthy, it makes the reader constantly question what's really going on. Their tone might be evasive or overly defensive at times.