Another way is to introduce a menacing figure right at the start. Picture this: a tall, shadowy figure standing at the end of a long, dimly - lit hallway. The main character catches a glimpse of it out of the corner of their eye, but when they turn to look directly, it seems to vanish. This makes the reader question whether it was real or just a trick of the light, and it sets up a sense of mystery and fear.
You can start with a sudden, unexpected event like a loud scream in the middle of the night. It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what's going on.
A great way to start is with a disturbing dream sequence. Show the main character in a nightmare, perhaps being chased by an unseen force through a dark forest. When they wake up, they can't shake the feeling that the nightmare was more than just a dream, and this lingering unease can be the start of the horror story.
One way to start a story is to use an exclamation. 'Oh no! The alarm didn't go off!' This shows a sense of urgency or surprise right away. Starting with a time reference can also work well. 'On that cold winter's morning, everything seemed to be covered in a blanket of white.' It sets the mood based on the time of day or season. Also, starting with a contrast can be interesting. 'The city was bustling with life, but in her heart, she felt only loneliness.' This shows a conflict from the start.
One good way is to start with an eerie setting. For example, describe a dark, fog - covered forest at midnight, with strange noises coming from the depths. The isolation and mystery of such a place can immediately set a spooky mood.
One good way is to start with an eerie setting. For example, describe a desolate old house on a stormy night. The howling wind and the creaking of the old boards can immediately set a spooky mood.
Start with a sense of foreboding. For instance, 'All day, a dark cloud had hung over the town, and as night fell, the feeling of impending doom grew stronger.'
Beginning with a dream or vision that seems prophetic can be an interesting start. For instance, a young girl has a recurring dream of a world being destroyed by a giant, glowing orb. When she wakes up, she starts to notice strange things in the real world that seem related to her dream. This type of start adds an element of mystery and foreshadowing to the story.
One way is to start with a festival or a celebration in a fantasy world. There could be a grand ball in a castle where all the magical beings of the land are gathered. But then, something strange happens during the event, like a strange symbol appears in the sky. This combines a sense of celebration and normalcy with an unexpected turn of events. Another good start is to start with a character's special ability that they are just discovering. A girl realizes she can communicate with the stars, and this new - found ability sets her on a path of exploration and adventure.
Starting with a mystery is effective. 'There was a box. It had been sitting in the corner of the old room for as long as anyone could remember. It was unmarked, but there was an odd energy coming from it. One day, a curious child decided to open it...' It makes the reader curious to know more about the mystery object.
A great way is to start with a vivid description of a setting. For instance, 'The city was a chaos of neon lights and steam - filled alleyways. The smell of burnt rubber and fried food filled the air as people scurried about like ants.' This kind of detailed setting draws the reader in and sets the mood for the story.