How can I develop a story from scary ideas?

Think about your fears. If you're afraid of heights, you could create a story about a skyscraper that has some sort of malevolent force on the top floors. People who go up there start to experience vertigo even more intensely and see strange apparitions that make them lose their balance and fall.

Look at different Christmas traditions from around the world. For instance, in some countries, there are unique Christmas foods or ways of decorating. Incorporate these into your story. Also, think about the emotions associated with Christmas like joy, hope, and giving. Maybe create a character who has lost their Christmas spirit and then something happens to bring it back. You could also think about a modern take on a traditional Christmas story, like if Santa used modern technology to deliver presents.

Another way is to combine different genres. Take elements of fantasy like magic and wizards and mix them with a detective story. A wizard detective solving magical crimes in a modern city would be a very unique concept. You can also draw inspiration from dreams. Sometimes the strange and illogical nature of dreams can spark an interesting story idea.

You can start by thinking about your own fears. If you're afraid of the dark, you can build a story around a character who is trapped in a pitch - black place with unknown terrors lurking. Also, look at real - life horror events or urban legends. For instance, the legend of Bloody Mary. You can take elements from such stories and twist them in your own way to create something unique.

Start with your interests. If you like mystery novels, for instance, think about creating a game story with a mystery element. It could be a detective game where the player has to solve a series of murders in a small town. Look at real - world events or historical periods and imagine how they could be adapted into a game story. Another way is to take inspiration from dreams. Maybe you had a really vivid dream about exploring an underwater city, and that could be the basis for a game story about underwater exploration and discovery.

Read a lot of existing fantasy stories. This can inspire you. For instance, if you read about a magical ring in one story, you might think about creating a story around a magical bracelet. It gives you a starting point.

One way to develop story ideas for a novel is to take a common trope and put a unique spin on it. For example, the 'chosen one' trope is common in fantasy. But instead of the chosen one being a brave hero from the start, make them a reluctant and flawed character who has to grow into the role. Another method is to look at current events or social issues and fictionalize them. If there's a problem with environmental pollution, you could write a story where the earth is so polluted that people have to find a new way to survive. And don't forget to use your own experiences. A personal experience of moving to a new place could be the basis for a story about a character starting a new life in an unfamiliar environment.

Look at the people around you. For example, that strange neighbor who always seems to be up to something could be the inspiration for a character in your novel. Maybe they're not actually strange but are involved in some secret, heroic deeds. You can also take note of everyday conflicts like an argument at a local store over a parking space. This could be turned into a much bigger conflict in your story, perhaps between two powerful families vying for control of a town.

Think about 'what if' scenarios. What if we could communicate with animals? What if the sun suddenly started to die? These types of questions can lead to really interesting science fiction story ideas. You can then start to build a world around these ideas, creating characters and a plot that explore the consequences of these 'what if' situations.

Think about emotions deeply. What are the most intense emotions that come with love? Jealousy, passion, longing. Build your story around these emotions. For example, you could have a character who is jealous of their partner's past relationship. This jealousy causes conflict in the relationship, but through communication and understanding, they overcome it. Also, consider adding some mystery to the story. Maybe one of the characters has a secret that, when revealed, either makes or breaks their relationship.