I'm not sure who exactly Stephen Gemmell is without more context. But if he writes scary stories, they could be about all sorts of spooky things like haunted houses, ghosts, or monsters. Maybe his stories are set in a particular town where strange things keep happening.
You might try looking in local libraries. They often have a wide range of books, including those by lesser - known authors like Stephen Gemmell. Check in the horror or fiction sections.
Stephen Crane's stories often contain elements of the macabre and the disturbing. His use of vivid descriptions and psychological insights makes his scary stories quite impactful. For example, in some of his works, he might depict the harshness of nature in a way that is both beautiful and terrifying, as if nature itself is a menacing force.
One of the scariest stories might be 'The Red Spot'. It's about a girl who has a strange red spot on her face that keeps growing and has a really gross and creepy outcome. It plays on the fear of the unknown and body horror.
Well, Stephen King's six scary stories often involve elements like the unknown and the dark side of human nature. Some stories might deal with cursed objects that bring misfortune to those who come into contact with them. And in others, he may explore the concept of psychological horror, like a character slowly losing their sanity in a desolate place.
Some of the most popular ones are 'It'. It features a terrifying clown named Pennywise who preys on children. Another is 'The Shining', with the haunted Overlook Hotel and Jack Torrance's descent into madness.
Stephen King believes that scary stories can be a powerful form of entertainment. They allow readers to experience fear in a safe environment. His own works often explore the darkest corners of the human psyche, and he uses fear as a tool to engage his audience.
You need to build a creepy atmosphere. Use vivid descriptions of settings and sounds to make the readers feel uneasy. Also, create complex and flawed characters that the readers can relate to but also fear for.
The horse drawing by Stephen Gammell in Scary Stories is scary perhaps because of the context within the book. The overall eerie atmosphere of the Scary Stories series makes everything seem more menacing. The horse might be depicted in a way that doesn't conform to our normal perception of a friendly or docile horse, like it has a wild look in its eyes or an unnatural stance.