Elements that make good real ghost stories include the element of time. Stories that take place at midnight or in the dead of winter seem spookier. Also, the reactions of those who witness the supernatural are crucial. If they are initially skeptical but then are completely shaken by what they experience, it makes the story more engaging. Additionally, any objects associated with the ghost, like a old locket or a tattered doll, can add an extra layer of mystery.
Well, a good real ghost story often has a backstory. Maybe it's about a person who died a tragic death and is now haunting the place. This gives a reason for the ghost's presence. Also, the experiences of the people who encounter the ghost are important. If they can describe their fear and confusion in detail, it makes the story more believable. The atmosphere also matters. A foggy night or a dimly lit corridor can enhance the feeling of the supernatural.
One element is a sense of place. For example, an old, dilapidated building like an abandoned mansion. It gives the feeling that something sinister could be lurking there. Another is unexplained noises. Strange creaks, moans or whispers can really send shivers down your spine. And of course, sightings of shadowy figures or apparitions add to the spookiness.
The mystery. We don't really know if ghosts exist, so when we hear a story, it makes us wonder. It's like a puzzle that can't be easily solved.
A sense of isolation. When a story is set in a remote camping area, far from civilization, it instantly becomes scarier. For example, a campsite deep in the mountains where help is hours away.
The unknown. When there are things that can't be explained, like strange noises in an empty house. For example, if you hear creaking floors but no one is there. Also, a sense of being watched. It gives you the feeling that there's something there that you can't see. And apparitions, like seeing a figure out of the corner of your eye that vanishes when you look directly at it.
The characters' reactions also add to the fun. When people overreact to what they think is a ghost, it can be hilarious. For instance, in a story, a man saw a 'ghostly face' in his window at night. He screamed and ran out of the house, only to find out later that it was his own reflection in a dirty window with a strange pattern that made it look spooky. His extreme reaction is what makes the story funny.
The mystery. When we can't explain what's happening, it draws us in. For example, in a story where objects move on their own, we have no scientific way to immediately understand it, so it becomes fascinating.
The element of the unknown makes real ghost stories captivating. We are naturally curious about things we can't explain. When we hear about a real - life place having ghostly occurrences, it makes us wonder what could be causing it.
The unknown. In creepy real ghost stories, we don't know what the ghost is or what it wants. It's this lack of understanding that makes it terrifying.
The unknown. In real live ghost stories, not knowing what is causing the strange phenomena is terrifying. For example, if you hear unexplained noises in your house at night, your mind starts to imagine all sorts of spooky things.
Well, a good ghost story for a short story often has a relatable protagonist. In 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman's struggle with her mental state makes her relatable. Creepy sounds or noises are also important. In 'Oh, Whistle, and I'll Come to You, My Lad', the whistling sound that heralds the ghost's arrival adds to the scariness. And an ambiguous ending can leave the reader with a sense of unease, as in 'The Open Window' where we're not entirely sure what really happened.
Well, one element is the violation of the normal. When things move on their own, like in the story of the family where toys moved without explanation. Another is the connection to the past. If there are old tales or a history of something bad that happened in the place where the strange event occurs. It makes the whole situation seem more haunted and spooky. For instance, in the cemetery story, the old tales added to the fear factor.