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What makes a story frightening? Is the above photo one of a peaceful night in a quiet town, or a crime-scene about to happen? 

I have begun work on the next book in my Hand of Magic series, titled "Ghosts." This has brought me to ask myself - what terrifies people? Not as in politics and who is President, or whether you will be able to pay your child's college tuition, but what would you cross the street to avoid? A clown...a cemetery...or maybe just a dark area where the streetlamp has burned out?

Years ago I was with my co-workers in our old office building. As we stood talking in a hallway, we witnessed the doorknob on a closed (and locked) door turn right/left, right/left. Puzzled, we entered the small room, but found it empty. As we returned to the hallway and stared at the re-locked door, the doorknob again turned right/left, right/left. The door itself did not move and a re-check of the office found it to still be empty. All this time later, I have never been able to explain what we witnessed. Here's the interesting thing - I was not frightened as I watched the doorknob move on its own. Maybe because I was with friends and it was the middle of the day, but I did not have any fear of whatever caused the motions.

Contrast that with my donut run a year ago. My favorite 24/hour donut drive-through is one exit from my home, and I frequently hit the drive-through at odd hours. Last winter I headed into work especially early because of an upcoming ice-storm. Other than a truck-stop, the area is rural, with woods behind the shop. Focused on my peppermint coffee and glazed donut, I pulled way from the drive-through and stopped my car behind the building so I could situate my coffee and put away my wallet. 

Once I stuffed my wallet into my purse, I glanced around me to make sure I was not blocking any traffic. I realized there was no one around me and I had stopped my car closer to the woods than usual. The single streetlamp lit up my car, but it did not spread to the trees on my right. As I sat in my car, coffee in hand and heater cranked up, I became certain something was wrong. This was not a good place or a good time. From one breath to another, I was inexplicably afraid. Without thought, I took my foot off the brake and gunned it - luckily there were no cars nearby. Once on the road, I laughed at myself and cleaned up my spilled coffee. Of course, it was just my stress with the upcoming storm which had put me on edge, right? I continue to tell myself that, but when I go through the same drive-through after-hours, I do not stop behind the building. Ever. 

So as I begin writing my ghost story, tell me what you think makes a scary story - maybe even share a story of your own in the comments below!