The psychological aspect. Scary stories often play with our fears, like the fear of the unknown, death, or being alone. They make us think about these things in a new and often more intense way. For instance, a story about a person being trapped in a deserted place at night taps into our fear of isolation and the unknown that lurks in the dark. It's this psychological depth that makes amazing scary stories so appealing. They make us face our fears in a fictional context, which can be both thrilling and thought - provoking.
The element of mystery. In amazing scary stories, not knowing what will happen next keeps the reader or listener on edge. For example, in a story about a haunted place, the mystery of who or what is causing the hauntings makes it exciting.
The mystery in strange scary stories is appealing. It makes people wonder what could be behind those strange events. For example, in a story about a haunted house, we don't really know what the ghosts are or what they want, and that keeps our interest.
The sense of danger they convey. Take the werewolf myth. A normal human can transform into a blood - thirsty beast under the full moon. The idea that something so dangerous could be hidden within a person is really scary. And it's this danger element that draws people in. They want to experience the thrill of being a little bit scared through these stories.
One element is the unknown. In many of these stories, like in 'The Monkey's Paw', we don't know exactly how the cursed paw will bring about misfortune. It's this sense of not knowing what will happen next that scares us. Another is the use of psychological horror. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman's slow descent into madness due to her confinement is terrifying because it plays on our fears of losing our minds.
The mystery in long scary campfire stories is appealing. It makes people wonder what will happen next, like in a story where a character enters an unknown cave and strange noises start. Also, the sense of danger. When the protagonist is being chased by an unseen force, it gets our hearts racing.
The element of the unknown. In a short 2 - minute story, not having all the answers makes it scarier. For example, in a story about a strange noise in the basement, not knowing what's making the noise creates fear. Also, sudden and unexpected events like a door slamming shut on its own can startle the listener.
The mystery element is a big draw. Ghosts are often associated with the unknown. We don't fully understand what they are or what they want, and that makes us curious.
The freedom to break the rules of reality is a major part of it. We can have characters with superpowers or places that don't exist. This gives a sense of wonder and amusement. For instance, a city made entirely of candy. The vivid descriptions also play a role. When we can clearly picture a fairy with a wand that accidentally turns her own hair into a bunch of snakes, it makes the story more engaging and funny. And of course, the simple, child - like joy of the absurd is a big factor. Just imagining a fish that can ride a bicycle is enough to make people chuckle.
One element is the triumph over adversity. When someone overcomes great difficulties like poverty or illness, it gives hope to others. For example, J.K. Rowling who was a single mother on welfare when she started writing Harry Potter. Now she is one of the most successful authors in the world.
The use of atmosphere also contributes. In many of the amazing top 10 scary stories, the setting is often a dark, desolate place. For instance, an abandoned asylum. The long, empty corridors, the broken windows, and the feeling that something is lurking in the shadows all add to the scariness. Also, the anticipation of something bad about to happen keeps readers or listeners on edge.
One element is the real - life connection. Since they are true, we can relate them to our own lives or the world around us. For example, stories of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things in difficult times give us hope.