Begin with a dream sequence that is filled with dark and disturbing imagery. For instance, the protagonist dreams of being chased through a pitch - black forest by an unseen entity. When they wake up, they're not sure if it was just a dream or if it was a premonition of something real. This blurring of the lines between reality and nightmare is a classic gothic trope and makes for an engaging start.
Begin with a mysterious character. For example, a veiled figure that appears out of nowhere in a fog - covered graveyard. This character can be the source of the gothic elements to come, such as dark secrets or a connection to the supernatural. It creates an air of mystery right from the start that draws the reader in.
Begin with a lone traveler stumbling upon a desolate village with strange rumors. It creates an atmosphere of unease and curiosity.
One good way is to set a spooky scene. For example, describe a dark, decrepit castle on a stormy night. The thunder rumbles as the wind howls around the ancient turrets. This immediately creates an atmosphere of mystery and unease, drawing the reader in.
You could start with a creepy old mansion on a stormy night. That sets the mood right away.
Well, start with a spooky setting like an old castle or a dark forest. Add some mysterious characters with hidden pasts. Maybe throw in a curse or a forbidden love.
Start with a sudden and unexplained event. 'The moment he opened the front door, all the lights in the house went out. He could feel a cold draft sweep over him, but there was no sign of where it came from.'
Start with a false accusation. For instance, a well - respected man in the community is wrongly accused of a crime he didn't commit. This creates a sense of injustice and the need for the real truth to be uncovered. A detective can then be brought in to clear his name and find the actual culprit.
You can start with a strange dream. 'He fell asleep and entered a world of chaos. In his dream, he was running through a forest filled with trees that had eyes and roots that reached out to grab him. When he woke up, he found that the nightmare was just beginning as there were scratch marks on his bedroom door that weren't there before.'
A good way to start is by describing a forbidden place or a curse. Maybe there's a legend about a certain area that has a sinister history. That can draw readers in and set the stage for a gothic tale.
Starting with a thought - provoking question can be great. Like 'Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up in a world where everyone had forgotten your name?' This makes the reader start thinking and gets them engaged in the story right away.