What are other good ways to start a scary story?

One good way is to start with an eerie setting. For example, 'The old, dilapidated house stood alone at the end of the long, fog - covered lane, its broken windows like empty eye sockets staring into the night.'

One good way is to start with a strange sound. For example, 'In the dead of night, a long, drawn - out creaking came from the attic.' It immediately creates an atmosphere of unease.

Begin with a strange sound. You could write, 'In the dead of night, a low, grating moan echoed through the forest. It was a sound that sent shivers down the spine of anyone who heard it, yet no one could tell where it came from.' This immediately creates a sense of mystery and fear.

Beginning with a mysterious character can be effective too. 'There was a man in a long, black coat who always seemed to be lurking in the shadows. No one knew his name or where he came from. His eyes were cold and empty, and whenever he passed by, an icy chill filled the air.'

Beginning with an unexpected statement can also be effective. 'The cat was reading a book.' This kind of start grabs the reader's attention because it's so out of the ordinary. It makes them want to know more about how this could be possible in the context of the story. It's a great way to start a story that's meant to be full of surprises and twists.

Start with a flashback to a time before the dystopia took hold. Maybe show a happy family having a picnic in a beautiful park, and then cut to the present where that park is now a fenced - off, contaminated area. This contrast between the past and present emphasizes how bad the current situation is and makes the reader curious about what led to such a drastic change.

Starting with a mystery is effective. 'There was a box. It had been sitting in the corner of the old room for as long as anyone could remember. It was unmarked, but there was an odd energy coming from it. One day, a curious child decided to open it...' It makes the reader curious to know more about the mystery object.

Begin with a spooky location that kids can relate to, like an old attic. 'The attic was always a bit scary. It was filled with dusty boxes and strange noises. One day, when the kids were home alone, they heard a thumping sound coming from the attic.' This sets the stage for a scary adventure for kids.

Begin with a statement about the prey. 'The deer in these parts were known for their cunning. They seemed to disappear into the thickets at the slightest sound. But I was determined that this time, I would outwit them. With that thought in mind, I stepped into the hunting grounds.' This shows the challenge ahead and gets the reader interested in how you will face it.

One scary way to start a story is with a sudden, unexplained noise in the dark. For example, 'The silence of the old house was shattered by a piercing scream that seemed to come from nowhere.'