good ideas to start a horror story

A good idea to start a horror story could be with an unexplained noise in the middle of the night. For example, the main character wakes up to a strange scratching sound coming from the attic. They're all alone in the house, and the sound is rhythmic and menacing. This immediately creates a sense of unease and mystery, drawing the reader in as they wonder what could be making that noise.

A great start could be a character moving into a new apartment. On the first night, they see a face in the window of the apartment across the street. But when they look again, it's gone. Later, they find out that the apartment has a dark history of disappearances. This discovery, along with the initial sighting, can be the start of a terrifying horror story.

Start by introducing a mysterious object. For instance, a young girl discovers an old, ornate box in her attic. It has strange symbols carved on it and gives off an icy cold feeling when she touches it. She can't resist the urge to open it, and as she does, a gust of cold wind blows through the attic, even though all the windows are closed. This object can then be the centerpiece around which the horror of the story unfolds.

Begin with a strange discovery. Say, a young girl is exploring an abandoned attic. Among the dusty boxes and cobwebs, she finds a locked diary. The moment she touches it, she feels a strange coldness seep into her fingers. As she tries to open it, she hears a faint whisper in her ear, as if someone is warning her not to. This discovery can set the stage for a horror story filled with mystery and the unknown.

Set the story in an abandoned asylum. Start by detailing the long, echoing hallways with peeling wallpaper and rusted gurneys scattered about. The fluorescent lights above flicker erratically, casting strange shadows on the walls. The main character is exploring this place, perhaps as part of a dare or because they are a journalist looking for a story. But as they venture deeper into the asylum, they start to feel as if they are being watched, and they hear the faint sound of screams that seem to be coming from the very walls around them.

A doll that comes to life at night. It has a creepy smile and moves around the house, leaving little footprints. It seems to be watching the people in the house all the time and can predict their every move, always staying one step ahead of them, creating a sense of constant dread.

A story about a cursed mirror. Anyone who looks into it sees their worst fears come to life behind them. The reflection slowly changes, showing a distorted and terrifying version of reality. The person is then haunted by the images they saw, and they start to lose their sanity as the mirror seems to have a hold on them.

A sudden power outage in a big, isolated building. Everyone inside is plunged into darkness. There are strange scratching noises on the walls, and people start to disappear one by one. The remaining characters huddle together, but they don't know what's out there in the dark waiting for them.

To start a good horror story, think of an eerie atmosphere. Like a foggy town with old legends. And have a normal person stumble upon something terrifying that they can't explain. That'll hook your readers.

One idea could be a person moving into a new house. Every night, they hear strange scratching noises coming from inside the walls. As they investigate, they find old, faded photos of a family that looks just like them but with sinister expressions. The scratches start to form words like 'leave' on the walls.