What are some elements that make nice ghost stories?

Love is a key element. In nice family stories, you often see family members showing love for each other, whether it's a mother's love for her child or siblings looking out for one another. Another element is support. For example, when a family member is ill, the rest of the family rallying around to take care of them makes for a great family story.

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 use of atmosphere is crucial. A story that describes a cold, foggy night, with a full moon hidden behind dark clouds, gives a great backdrop for a ghost story. And then there's the element of fear. When the main character in the story starts to feel a sense of dread, like a chill running down their spine when they sense the ghost nearby, it makes the story more engaging. In a short ghost story, if a character is alone in a dark forest and hears a strange howl that might be related to a ghost, that sense of isolation and fear makes it a cool story.

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 element of the unknown is key. For example, when there are strange noises in a supposedly empty place like an old attic. You don't know what's making the noise, and that creates fear.

The setting plays a big role. Dark and isolated places like old houses, abandoned asylums or cemeteries. In a true story I know, an old asylum at night was so spooky. The long, empty corridors and the echoing sounds made the ghost story really chilling.

One element is selflessness. Just like in the story of the guy helping the old lady, he didn't think about himself at all. Another is consistency. For example, the coffee shop guy who kept giving food and drink to the homeless person. And also, the ability to notice the needs of others, like David noticing his neighbor's struggles.

The build - up to the kiss is crucial. Maybe there were a lot of shared glances, little touches, and flirty conversations before. This anticipation makes the actual kiss more meaningful. And if there is some sort of personal significance to the location or the moment, like it's on a special anniversary or in a place that holds memories for both people, it makes for a very nice first kiss story.

One element is the historical background. A lot of genuine ghost stories are tied to a specific place or event in history. For instance, if a building has a long and dark history, like an old prison where many people suffered and died, it adds to the believability of the ghost story. Another factor is the psychological impact. These stories play on our fears, like the fear of the dark or the fear of the unknown. When we hear about a ghostly apparition in a dark alley, it triggers our primal fears, making the story all the more fascinating.

One element is the isolation. Many of the scariest ghost stories, like 'The Shining', take place in isolated locations such as a desolate hotel or a far - away farmhouse. This isolation makes it seem like there's no hope of getting help. Also, the sudden and unexplained events are terrifying. In 'The Conjuring' case, doors slamming and objects moving on their own without any obvious cause really freak people out. The appearance of the ghosts themselves can be very scary. In 'The Woman in Black', her pale and menacing figure is enough to send shivers down your spine.