You can start with a sudden, unexpected death. Maybe describe a character finding a dead body in an ordinary place like their own backyard. The shock value of this will grab the reader's attention and set a very dark and scary tone for the whole story. It also makes the reader curious about how this death happened and what other terrors might be lurking. Starting with death is a powerful way to begin a scary story as it taps into our primal fears.
Set the scene in a spooky place like an old, abandoned house at midnight. Just describe the creaking floorboards, the cold drafts, and the peeling wallpaper. It immediately gives a sense of unease.
Start with a spooky animal that is out of place. Like a big black cat with glowing eyes that follows a child everywhere they go. You can write something like 'Lucy was walking home from school when she noticed a cat she had never seen before. It was all black and its eyes seemed to follow her every step. She tried to run, but it kept getting closer.' This kind of situation can be both scary and engaging for kids.
One of the best ways to start off a story is with a captivating hook. It could be an interesting dialogue, like 'I'll never forget the day he said, "You won't believe what I found."' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to know more.
Start with a strange sound or noise. For example, 'A low, guttural moan echoed through the empty hallway. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to figure out where it was coming from. This was how my nightmare began.' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what's causing the noise.
You could also start with a strange discovery. 'He found a key in his grandfather's old chest, a key with no lock in sight.' It plants the seeds of mystery and gives the reader a question to ponder from the very beginning. Mystery stories thrive on unanswered questions at the start.
A great way to start a love story is with a chance encounter. For example, in a crowded coffee shop where two people reach for the last blueberry muffin at the same time. Their eyes meet, and there's an instant spark of interest. It's a simple yet effective start as it creates an immediate connection between the two characters.
One of the best ways is to start with an interesting character in an unusual situation. For example, you could introduce a detective standing over a mysterious dead body in a locked room. It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder how the character got there and what will happen next.
Describe the first time you see the haunted house. 'As I rounded the corner, the old, decrepit house loomed before me. Its broken windows were like empty eye sockets, and the overgrown ivy seemed to be strangling the walls. I knew then that this place was full of secrets and terrors waiting to be unleashed.'
You could begin by introducing a compelling character with a unique problem or goal. That makes the readers curious to know what happens next. Another option is to set the scene in an interesting or unusual place.
One way is to start with a strange noise. For example, 'In the dead of night, a shrill screeching sound cut through the silence like a knife.'
Begin with a strange sound. You could write, 'In the dead of night, a low, grating moan echoed through the forest. It was a sound that sent shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it, yet no one could tell where it came from.' This immediately creates a sense of mystery and fear.