Another really scary one could be 'My phone rang at 3 am. The caller ID said it was me.' It plays on the idea of the self being something other or unknown, and calls at that time are always spooky.
One way to sentence horror stories is to build suspense gradually. Start with an ordinary setting or character and then introduce strange elements little by little. For example, you could begin by describing a normal day in a small town. Then mention a strange noise that no one can identify or a person who behaves oddly. Use vivid language to describe the uneasiness that starts to spread among the characters. This makes the readers feel on edge as they wonder what will happen next.
It contributes by highlighting the long - standing tradition of ghost stories within horror. It shows that ghost stories have been a fundamental part of the horror genre for a very long time. By exploring their history, it gives a context to modern horror works that feature ghosts.
I think 'The clock stopped at midnight. Then I heard footsteps.' is quite scary. It gives this feeling of something ominous starting right at a spooky time.
In Eli Roth's History of Horror Ghost Stories, a significant element is the psychological aspect. Ghosts often represent our fears and unresolved issues. The stories play on our primal fears of the unknown and the afterlife. Also, the way these stories are passed down through generations is important. Oral traditions have kept ghost stories alive, and now with modern technology, they've spread even further. Visual and auditory elements in movies and TV shows based on these stories also add to their allure.
They are concise. For example, 'The phone rang in the dead of night. It was my voice on the other end asking for help.' In just two sentences, it creates a sense of dread. They often rely on the unexpected. Like 'I found a door in my basement that wasn't there before. When I opened it, a cold hand grabbed mine.' It takes a normal situation and twists it into something terrifying.
I'll share this. I found a diary in an old attic. The last entry said 'They're coming for me tonight' and then the handwriting turned into scribbles. I started to hear scratching noises on the attic door right after reading it.