Well, start with a fear that most people have, like the fear of the dark or being alone. Then build your story around that. You could introduce an unknown force that preys on those in the dark. Make the protagonist relatable so that the readers can put themselves in their shoes. And don't forget to have a twist at the end, like the 'villain' being someone the protagonist trusted all along.
When creating your own horror story, you should focus on atmosphere. Dim lighting, cold drafts, and a sense of unease can be created through your descriptions. Develop your characters' weaknesses and use them against them. For instance, if a character is claustrophobic, trap them in a small, dark space. Add some elements of the unknown, like a strange symbol that keeps appearing, and let the readers' imaginations run wild with fear.
To create your own graphic novel, begin with a strong concept. Consider your target audience. If it's for kids, the story and art should be more accessible. Research is important too. Look at other successful graphic novels to see what works. Develop your drawing skills constantly. You can practice by doing quick sketches of everyday objects and people. When it comes to the story structure, have a clear beginning, middle and end. Plan how the panels will flow on each page to tell the story in the best way.
For creating an interesting plot in your Rango - like story, consider using the concept of 'quest'. Suppose your main character is a young wizard in training. His quest could be to find a rare magical herb that can cure a deadly disease in his village. Along the way, he meets various obstacles. Some are natural, like a dangerous swamp, and some are created by other characters, like a rival wizard who doesn't want him to succeed. These obstacles and how the character overcomes them make the plot engaging. You can also add some emotional elements, like the wizard's fear of failure and his determination to save his village, to make the story more relatable.
Well, for a horror story, you could begin with a cursed object. Say, a doll that has a really eerie look. It was found in an attic of an old house. The doll seems to change its position when no one is looking. The protagonist of the story could be a young girl who is staying at this house with her family. She starts having nightmares about the doll. One night, she wakes up to find the doll sitting on her bed, its eyes glowing. Then, things start to go wrong in the house. Appliances start malfunctioning and there are cold spots everywhere. In the end, she realizes that the doll was possessed by the spirit of a girl who died in the house long ago and the only way to get rid of it is to burn it in the place where the girl died.
Begin with a sense of unease. Maybe your main character is walking in a forest at night. The moon is full, but the trees are so thick that only a little light penetrates. The character notices that the animals have gone silent. As they continue walking, they see a faint light in the distance. Curiosity gets the better of them and they move towards it. When they reach the source of the light, they find an old cottage. The door creaks open on its own. Inside, there are strange symbols on the walls and a figure in the corner that seems to be watching. This is a great start for a horror story as it builds suspense and mystery.
Begin with a disturbing image. It could be a blood - stained handprint on a white wall. This will immediately set a spooky tone.
First, create a really spooky setting like an abandoned asylum or a haunted forest. This immediately sets the mood. Second, develop interesting and diverse characters that readers can relate to, so they feel more involved in the story. Third, have multiple endings, some really terrifying and others with a bit of a twist. For example, in one ending the main character could be devoured by the monster, while in another they could outwit it but at a great cost.
One way to create new species is to combine features from existing animals. For example, you could take the wings of a bird and the body of a cat to make a flying cat - like creature. Also, consider the purpose of the species in your novel. Is it a friendly helper or a menacing antagonist? This will shape its overall appearance and abilities.
Give your characters unique traits. For instance, a character who is always late but is extremely talented at something, like painting. This contrast makes them more interesting.
Be concise. Every word matters. 'Sunset. Beauty. End of day.'
You can also play with the idea of the unknown. Imagine a small town where people start acting strangely. They seem to be in a trance. The main character tries to figure out what's going on. There are no obvious signs, just a feeling of unease. Then, they start seeing strange symbols appearing on walls around the town. The mystery and lack of explanation are what make it truly terrifying.