Use the power of the senses. Describe the smell of decay in an old cemetery, the touch of cold, clammy hands in the dark, the sound of a howling wind that seems to be calling your character's name. When you engage the reader's senses, it makes the story more immersive and scarier. For example, a boy in a haunted attic feels a cold breath on the back of his neck and smells a sickly sweet odor, making his heart race.
Create false alarms. Have your character think they're safe, then suddenly something jumps out at them. For example, a woman is walking through a seemingly empty old school. She relaxes a bit when she sees a cat, thinking it's just an ordinary place. But then, as she turns a corner, she sees a figure with no face standing right in front of her. This sudden shift from calm to terror is great for building tension.
One way to build tension is through pacing. Slow down the story when something spooky is about to happen. For instance, if your character is approaching a haunted house, describe every step, every breath they take. Another method is to use short, choppy sentences when the danger is near. Like 'She heard a noise. It was getting closer. She couldn't move.' This makes the reader feel the character's fear.
To build tension in your horror story, use short and choppy sentences. For example, 'I heard a noise. I froze. It came again.' This gives a sense of urgency and fear. Also, describe the environment in a way that makes it seem threatening. If it's a dark alley, mention the stench, the dripping water that could be something else, and the lack of light. Another way is to limit the character's vision. Maybe there's a thick fog so they can't see what's coming. This makes the reader feel as uncertain as the character and builds tension.
Use short, choppy sentences. For instance, 'She ran. The thing chased. Darkness everywhere.' This makes the reader feel the urgency and fear. Also, describe the unknown. Don't show the monster right away. Let the reader's imagination run wild. Maybe just describe its glowing eyes or its heavy breathing.
You can also use the power of the unknown. Don't reveal too much too soon. Just give hints about what might be out there. For instance, the character hears a growl, but they don't know what kind of creature it could be. Is it a wild animal? Or something more sinister? Also, create a sense of isolation for the character. If they're alone in a big, empty place, it adds to their vulnerability and the tension of the situation. And don't forget to use short, choppy sentences when the action starts to pick up to increase the sense of urgency.
To create your own scary story, you could draw inspiration from real-life fears or urban legends. Build a suspenseful plot by dropping hints and keeping the readers guessing. And don't forget a terrifying climax and a twist ending to leave them on the edge of their seats.
The story could build tension by creating a sense of helplessness. In the diary, if the girl is in a situation where she has no control, like being trapped in a haunted place. Also, the pacing matters. If it slowly unfolds events, like she starts to notice a strange smell in the house one day, and then over the next few days, other strange things occur, it builds tension. And the use of foreshadowing, like she mentions a strange dream before the real horror starts, can also build tension.
Start by thinking of a creepy setting. Maybe an abandoned house or a dark forest. Then, introduce some mysterious characters or strange phenomena. Build tension gradually and throw in unexpected twists.
They build tension by being unexpected. When you least expect it, you hear those footsteps, and it immediately grabs your attention and makes you feel on edge.
You can start by thinking of a creepy setting or situation. Maybe an abandoned house or a dark forest at night. Then, introduce some mysterious or threatening characters. Let your imagination run wild!
Using the element of time can be very effective. If you set a deadline or a ticking clock situation, like the protagonist has to get out of a haunted place before sunrise, it creates a lot of tension. Every second that passes makes the situation seem more and more dire, and the reader feels the pressure along with the character in the story.
You can start by creating a sense of uncertainty. Make readers wonder what's going to happen next. Also, build up to important events slowly to increase anticipation.