When it comes to cursed objects, show the slow and insidious effects on the characters. They start to lose their sanity or their physical health deteriorates. For ghostly apparitions, make them appear at the most unexpected times, like in the middle of a bright day. And for the ghostly lover, make the relationship seem twisted, like the lover is trying to drag the living person into the afterlife with them. By emphasizing these aspects, the themes become more terrifying.
To make the abandoned asylum theme scarier, describe in detail the inhumane treatments that took place there in the past. Let the screams of the past echo through the halls. For the family curse theme, have the family members die in strange and grotesque ways. For the otherworldly portal theme, make the portal seem unstable and unpredictable. It could randomly suck in people or release even more terrifying entities.
For the haunted house theme, make the house seem alive. Have the walls ooze blood or the floorboards creak in a way that seems like they're trying to trap the characters. With the vengeful spirit, give it the ability to possess people and make them do things against their will. For the lost soul theme, make it so the soul is constantly changing forms, never looking the same twice.
One way is to make it completely isolated. If it's in the middle of a dark forest or on a desolate moor, it'll be scarier. Also, add lots of cobwebs and broken furniture.
Use vivid descriptions. For example, describe the lady's increasing panic as she hears strange sounds in the dark room. Her heart pounding, her breath coming in short gasps. Also, make the ghost's appearance really eerie, like it has a distorted face or glowing eyes.
To make 'ust scary stories' more terrifying, use vivid descriptions. For example, instead of just saying 'it was a dark room', say 'the room was pitch - black, like a void that seemed to swallow all light, and the air was thick with a musty smell that made it hard to breathe'. Another way is to add unexpected twists. Just when the reader thinks the character is safe, something even more horrifying happens.
Use vivid descriptions. For example, when describing the snarling sound, say it's like 'a thousand demons fighting over a single soul, a guttural, rasping snarl that cuts through the air like a knife'. Also, build suspense. Instead of revealing the source of the snarling right away, let the reader or listener wonder. Make the setting really spooky, like a fog - covered moor or a dark, damp cellar.
One way is by using different voices for each character when reading the story aloud. For example, a deep voice for the spooky ghost and a high - pitched voice for the scared kid. Another way is to add some sound effects like creaking doors or howling winds in the background. It makes the story more immersive.
One way is to add some spooky sounds in the background. For example, a low, continuous moan or a creaking sound like an old door opening slowly. Another way is to describe the environment in more detail, like a dark and cold room with strange shadows on the wall. Also, making the only child's situation more desperate, such as being lost in a big, empty house with no way out can make it more terrifying.
It depends on the person. Some might find female ghost stories more terrifying because female ghosts are often depicted as being more vengeful or tragic, like La Llorona who is consumed by her grief and anger. This can create a sense of unease and horror.
Fan made horror stories can be terrifying because they often come from a place of passion and creativity. The creators know what scares people within their fandom. For example, if it's a horror story in a sci - fi fandom, they can use the unknown elements of space and advanced technology in a really scary way. They can also play on the emotional connection fans have to the original work, twisting it into something dark and unexpected.
Adding a sense of isolation can make it more terrifying. For example, if the home is located far away from other houses or in a desolate area. The characters can't easily get help or escape if something goes wrong.
Use a spooky voice. If you lower your voice, almost to a whisper, and speak slowly, it adds to the creepiness. For example, when you say the name of the ghost or describe the scary parts.