opening to a horror story

The opening paragraph sets the scene, say it's about a dark forest where strange noises are heard. I'd continue the story like this. I entered the forest, my flashlight barely cutting through the thick darkness. Every step I took seemed to echo, as if something was following me. Then, I saw a pair of glowing eyes in the distance. I froze, not knowing whether to run or stay still. The eyes started to move closer, and I could hear heavy breathing. I finally mustered the courage to run. Branches whipped at my face as I sprinted through the forest. I tripped over a root and fell. As I looked up, a large, shadowy figure loomed over me. It reached out with long, claw - like hands.

A good horror story opening usually has a creepy setting or atmosphere to draw you in right away. Maybe it's an abandoned house on a stormy night or a dark forest with strange noises.

I'm not sure exactly. You might have to check the movie's credits or do a search on music-related sites.

Start with a creepy setting. Maybe an abandoned house or a dark forest. Build up the tension right from the beginning.

Start with a creepy setting. Maybe an abandoned house or a dark forest. Build tension right from the beginning.

Begin with a creepy setting. Maybe an abandoned house in the middle of the night or a foggy cemetery. That'll set the spooky mood right away.

You could introduce a mysterious character or an unexplained event. Make the reader curious and on edge from the get-go. Also, use vivid and spooky descriptions to set the mood.

Sure. Let's say the opening paragraph is 'The old house stood at the end of the lane, its windows like dark, gaping mouths.' The story could continue like this: I approached it warily, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached for the doorknob, a cold wind swept past me, making me shiver. I pushed the door open and it creaked ominously. Inside, the air was stale and smelled of decay. I walked through the hallway, the floorboards groaning under my feet. Shadows seemed to move on their own. I heard a faint whisper, but when I turned around, there was nothing there. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness, its eyes glowing red. I tried to run, but my feet were rooted to the spot as it came closer and closer.

The moon was full, but its light couldn't penetrate the thick fog that had swallowed the old, decrepit mansion at the end of the lane.

A sense of isolation is often used. Such as 'Alone in the middle of the vast, deserted moor, he heard a howl in the distance.' It makes the character vulnerable and heightens the fear. There is no one around to help them, and they are at the mercy of whatever lurks in the unknown. This also helps to build tension as the reader anticipates what might happen to the isolated character.