good short horror stories

For short horror stories, 'The Phantom's Touch' is a great title. It makes you think of an unseen, ghostly hand touching you. 'The Darkest Hour' implies that something truly terrifying happens during the darkest part of the night or a difficult time. 'The Hollow Eyes' is also quite effective as it makes you wonder what kind of creature has those hollow eyes.

One characteristic is the ability to create a feeling of dread. This can be achieved through things like foreshadowing. In 'The Monkey's Paw', the warnings about the paw create a sense of impending doom. Good horror short stories also have a unique or unexpected twist. 'The Lottery' is a great example. You think it's going to be a normal village lottery, but then the true nature of the lottery is revealed, which is shockingly cruel. And the language used is often evocative, painting a vivid picture of the horror in the reader's mind.

Good short horror stories often have a sense of the unknown. They create a feeling of unease by not fully explaining things. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman's descent into madness is made more terrifying by the strange patterns on the wallpaper that are never fully understood.

Good short horror stories often have a strong sense of atmosphere. They use descriptive language to create a spooky or uneasy setting, like a dark and isolated house or a fog - covered graveyard. They also have a disturbing element, such as a menacing creature or a terrifying event. And usually, there's a sense of mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the end.

To write good horror short stories, you need to build a creepy atmosphere. Use vivid descriptions of settings and sounds to make the readers feel tense. Also, create characters that the readers can relate to and care about.

Sure. One great short horror story could be 'The Tell - Tale Heart' which is often included in collections. It has a narrator who is driven mad by an old man's vulture - like eye. Another might be 'The Monkey's Paw' where a family's wishes on a magical paw bring them unexpected and terrifying consequences.

Typically, they are likely to have elements of the unknown. The fear of the unknown is a common characteristic in horror. For example, an unexplained sound or a shadow that moves on its own.

Often, they create a sense of unease and fear quickly. For example, they might start with a strange or disturbing setting like a haunted house or a desolate graveyard.

They are often filled with suspense. The authors build up tension to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Here are some recommended short horror novels: The Haunted House, The Secret of House Number 417, The Six-fingered Bride, Five Steps to the Road of the Wronged Ghost, The Book of the Seven Spirits, and the 7Truth series. These stories all had exciting plots and a terrifying atmosphere, suitable for readers who liked horror stories.