A sudden, unexpected event can be a great start. Like, 'The moment I opened the door, a cold hand grabbed my wrist from the darkness inside.'
Begin with a sense of foreboding. 'All day long, a dark cloud had hung over the village. The birds had stopped singing, and the animals were hiding. I knew something terrible was about to happen, but I had no idea how bad it would be.' This sets up an atmosphere of impending doom and gets the reader on edge, waiting for the horror to unfold.
One good way is to start with an eerie setting. For example, 'The old, dilapidated house stood alone at the end of the long, fog - covered lane, its broken windows like empty eye sockets staring into the night.'
One good way is to start with a strange sound. For example, 'In the dead of night, a long, drawn - out creaking came from the attic.' It immediately creates an atmosphere of unease.
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.
Beginning with a mysterious character can be effective too. 'There was a man in a long, black coat who always seemed to be lurking in the shadows. No one knew his name or where he came from. His eyes were cold and empty, and whenever he passed by, an icy chill filled the air.'
Start with a flashback to a time before the dystopia took hold. Maybe show a happy family having a picnic in a beautiful park, and then cut to the present where that park is now a fenced - off, contaminated area. This contrast between the past and present emphasizes how bad the current situation is and makes the reader curious about what led to such a drastic change.
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.
Begin with a spooky location that kids can relate to, like an old attic. 'The attic was always a bit scary. It was filled with dusty boxes and strange noises. One day, when the kids were home alone, they heard a thumping sound coming from the attic.' This sets the stage for a scary adventure for kids.
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.'
One good way is to start with a strange noise. For example, 'In the dead of night, a low, moaning sound echoed through the empty house.' It immediately creates an atmosphere of unease and makes the reader wonder what's making that noise.
Beginning with a strange sound can be really effective. You could write, 'In the dead of night, a long, drawn - out howl pierced the silence, making every hair on my body stand on end.' This immediately creates a sense of unease and mystery. It makes the reader wonder what could be making that sound and sets a spooky mood for the rest of the story.