Begin with a character arriving at an old, abandoned mansion. Describe how the overgrown bushes scrape against the walls and the creaking gate as they enter. The air is thick with mystery and the sense of a place long forgotten, which is perfect for starting a ghost story. It makes the readers wonder what secrets the mansion holds.
A simple yet effective one could be 'The graveyard at midnight was silent, until a soft moan seemed to rise from the ground.'
Begin with a local legend. You can open with something like 'In this small town, there was a legend that every hundred years, a ghost would appear in the old church at midnight.' This immediately gives the story a sense of history and mystery. The readers are intrigued to find out if the legend is true and what the ghost is all about.
Begin with a strange occurrence. 'The clock in the hallway stopped at exactly midnight. And at that very moment, I saw a shadowy figure pass by the door. But when I looked again, there was nothing there.' This kind of opening hooks the reader because it presents something that defies normal explanation and makes them curious to find out more about the figure and the stopped clock.
Once upon a time, in a far - away land. It's a classic opening that immediately sets a story in a different place and time, creating a sense of mystery and wonder.
Begin with an unexplained event. Say something like 'She woke up to find her bedroom door wide open, even though she was certain she had locked it before going to bed. A cold draft swept through the room, carrying with it a faint, musty smell she couldn't place.' This kind of mystery right at the start can draw the reader in.
Typically, a spooky setting is common in the opening of a ghost story. For example, an old, abandoned house with creaking floors and broken windows. Also, a sense of unease or mystery, like a strange noise or an unexplained cold breeze.
Start with a sudden, unexpected noise. For example, a loud bang in an otherwise silent, empty room. This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what caused it.
Sure. Let's assume the opening paragraph is 'The old house on the hill had always been a source of mystery. It stood alone, its broken windows like empty eyes staring out into the night.' Then the story could continue: One night, a young adventurer named Tom decided to explore the house. As he pushed open the creaking front door, a cold draft swept past him. He could hear strange noises, like whispers in the wind. He walked further in, his flashlight flickering. In the corner of a room, he saw a shadowy figure. His heart raced as the figure seemed to move closer. Tom tried to run, but his feet felt heavy. Just as the figure was about to reach him, he closed his eyes and screamed. When he opened his eyes again, he was outside the house, not sure if it was all a nightmare or a real encounter with the unknown.
A good story opening usually grabs the reader's attention right away. It could be an exciting action scene, a mystery that makes you curious, or a character in a unique situation.
A good opening grabs the reader's attention right away. Maybe it's with an exciting action scene or a mysterious question that makes them want to know more.