User blog comment:Pacersnation16/What Makes a Pasta Scary?/@comment-4643170-20140414173759

It requires a good combination of all of the things you listed. However, I think the most important part is that the events included in the story make it seem possible. If the story is so ridiculous and unbelievable, that even the most gullible of readers won't even consider it as fact, then the writer has generally failed.

But to make something believable? It does require some building up to. On top of that, require a few "false" build ups. Like, make things happen that have nothing to do with the subject, but seem somewhat suspicious. It'll cause the reader to let their guard down and when something involving the subject really DOES happen, it's a lot more exciting.

Also, describe whatever is important in the story in greater detail than anything minor. It draws more attention to it and might just make someone remember it more clearly.