One way Julian Wolfreys creates suspense is through the pacing of his stories. He slows down the narrative at key moments, making the reader wait in anticipation. He also uses the characters' internal thoughts and fears to heighten the sense of unease. When a character starts to doubt their own sanity because of the strange happenings, it makes the reader wonder what's really going on. And his use of sound descriptions, like a faint scratching at the door or an unexplained whisper in the dark, is very effective in creating suspense in his ghost stories.
He uses sudden changes in the setting. For example, a previously calm room suddenly getting very cold.
The most notable aspect might be the unique atmosphere they create. Julian Wolfreys has a way of building a sense of mystery and unease in his ghost stories.
The slow - paced narrative in his stories adds to the suspense. He takes his time to develop the characters and their situations before fully delving into the ghostly encounters. This gradual build - up makes the appearance of the ghosts or the climax of the supernatural events all the more impactful.
Hitchcock was great at creating complex characters in his ghost stories. The psychological state of the characters added to the suspense. In 'Vertigo', the main character's mental instability and his obsession with a woman made the audience constantly on edge. He also used lighting to great effect. Dark shadows in 'Psycho' hid secrets and added to the overall feeling of unease.
He uses a lot of mystery. For example, he might start a story by only showing a little bit of what's going on, like a strange sound in the dark. This makes the reader or listener wonder what could be making that sound.
The trailer for a ghost story creates suspense in multiple ways. One way is through the use of music. A slow - building, eerie soundtrack can make the viewer feel on edge. Also, showing just enough of the ghost without revealing too much. Maybe a hand reaching out from the darkness or a faint silhouette. And by having the characters in the trailer act scared and confused, it makes the viewers wonder what is causing their fear.
Christie is great at creating unreliable narrators in her ghost stories. You're never quite sure if what they're telling you is the truth or if their own fears are clouding their perception, which keeps you on edge throughout the story.
He uses the element of the unknown. For example, he might describe a dark room where the character hears a strange noise but can't see what's making it. This makes the reader wonder and be on edge.
He used vivid descriptions. For example, in 'The Red Room', the dark and shadowy corners of the room are described in detail, making the reader feel the unease.
Peter Straub creates suspense in 'Ghost Story' in several ways. Firstly, he plays with the setting. The small town setting, which seems normal at first, gradually reveals its dark secrets. This contrast between the ordinary and the extraordinary builds suspense. Secondly, he uses the characters' fear and confusion. As the characters experience strange things, their reactions make the readers feel on edge. And he also drops hints throughout the story about what might be coming, but not enough to give away the big revelations.
He often uses unexpected twists. For example, in some stories, he starts with a seemingly ordinary situation like a person traveling and then suddenly something very strange happens.