a good way to start a horror story

Begin with an eerie setting, like 'The old, dilapidated house stood alone at the end of the overgrown lane, its broken windows like gaping mouths in the moonlight.'

Beginning with a mysterious disappearance can be great. Say something like, 'When he woke up that morning, his sister was gone. There was no sign of a struggle, just an empty bed and a cold breeze coming in through the open window. He knew, in that moment, that something truly terrifying had begun.' This immediately creates a sense of unease and mystery, drawing the reader in.

One effective way is to introduce a mysterious character who seems to have a dark secret. Maybe they show up at an isolated place and give off an eerie vibe. That can really draw readers in.

One good way is to introduce a mysterious character who gives off an eerie vibe. Maybe they have a hidden past or strange behavior that makes the reader curious and nervous.

Open with a strange noise. A continuous scratching sound from inside the walls, getting louder and louder. The character tries to figure out what's making the noise but is too afraid to investigate further. This creates suspense and a sense of dread right from the start.

Set the scene in a spooky, isolated place like an old, creaking mansion on a stormy night. For example, 'The wind howled outside the decaying mansion as the rain lashed against the broken windows, and I stepped inside, not knowing what horrors awaited me.'

One of the best ways to start a horror story is by setting a creepy atmosphere. Maybe describe a dark, abandoned place or a strange noise in the night.

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.'

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.'

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.