What other descriptive words are useful in a horror story besides the common ones?

Ghastly. This word can be used to describe a really horrible appearance or situation. For instance, a ghastly face emerging from the darkness. 'Shudder - inducing' is another one. It means that it makes you shudder, like a shudder - inducing scream in a horror story. It directly shows the physical reaction the horror element causes.

Malevolent. It shows that there is an evil intention in the story, like a malevolent spirit. Then there's 'uncanny'. It refers to something that is so strange that it makes you feel uneasy. Also, 'abysmal' can be used in a horror context to describe a really dark and bottomless kind of horror, like an abysmal pit of despair in the story.

Some common descriptive words for a novel could be 'engaging', which means it grabs the reader's attention. Another is 'intriguing', suggesting that the story makes the reader curious. Also, 'compelling' as it forces the reader to keep on reading.

'The Unspoken Chapters'. It gives the sense that there are parts of your story that haven't been told or shared publicly. 'Solitary Sagas' is also a great name as it implies that these are stories that are solitary, meaning private and only for you. And 'My Quiet Quotients' which can be seen as the personal elements or stories that are quiet and private.

One less common way to end a story is to have the story cycle back to the beginning. So, if the story started with a character standing in front of an old oak tree, it ends with the character in the same position, but with a different understanding or feeling. This creates a sense of circularity and can be very thought - provoking. Another option is to end with a completely silent moment. After all the action and dialogue, just having a moment of pure silence can be very powerful. It allows the reader to take a breath and really absorb the story. You could also end with a series of questions from the main character, making the reader question things along with the character.

Unusual hobbies can be a great addition. If you collect antique stamps or practice urban beekeeping, share your passion. Talk about how you got into it, what you've learned, and any interesting encounters related to your hobby. For example, if you're into urban beekeeping, you could write about the first time you harvested honey and the unique taste of it.

You can introduce a character through their possessions. If a character has an old, tattered book that they always carry, it can give insights into their character. Maybe they are a bit of a dreamer or a bookworm. Another way is to start with their reputation. For example, 'Everyone in town knew of Henry. They said he was a bit of a loner, but when he helped that lost child find their way home, people started to wonder if there was more to him.'

Words like 'dreadful', 'terrifying' and 'frightening' are quite essential. 'Dreadful' gives a sense of something that is very bad and causes fear. 'Terrifying' is more intense, it really emphasizes the level of horror. 'Frightening' is a more general but effective word to make the reader scared.

Grim is a great word. It describes a situation or a setting that is very unpleasant and often related to death or suffering. Sinister is also useful. It gives the idea of something evil or threatening. And then there's 'dreadful'. It simply means causing great fear or terror. For example, a dreadful monster in a horror story can make the readers' hearts race.

Eerie, a great word for creating an atmosphere of unease. It makes the reader or listener feel like something strange and unsettling is about to happen. Another is 'creepy', which gives the sense of a slow - building fear. And 'macabre', which is often associated with death and the grotesque, adding a very dark and disturbing element to the horror story.