Best way to start a horror story with a mystery element?

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.'

You could also start with a strange discovery. 'He found a key in his grandfather's old chest, a key with no lock in sight.' It plants the seeds of mystery and gives the reader a question to ponder from the very beginning. Mystery stories thrive on unanswered questions at the start.

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.

You could start with a scene of a desolate planet where something strange and unexplainable is happening. Like strange energy readings or strange structures that seem to have no purpose. This sets the stage for the mystery in your science fiction story.

Begin with a mystery. Drop the reader right into the middle of a strange situation without any explanation at first. Maybe start with a character finding a strange symbol carved into their bedroom wall that they've never seen before and having no idea how it got there. It creates instant intrigue and a sense of foreboding.

A great start for a mystery story could be a sudden disappearance or a mysterious message. It creates suspense and makes the reader eager to solve the mystery along with the characters.

You could start with a mysterious disappearance. It immediately hooks the reader and raises questions.

One great way to start a story is with a captivating hook. It could be an interesting question, like 'Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world without colors?' or a shocking statement such as 'The day the world ended, no one saw it coming.' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to read more.

The best way to start a story might be by introducing a relatable character. Let the readers meet the protagonist right away, show their personality, their daily routine, or a problem they are facing. This way, the readers can quickly get invested in the character and be more interested in the story as it unfolds.

Yes, starting with an interesting character trait can be good. For example, 'She was the kind of girl who always had a book in her hand, even in the most unlikely places.' It gives an immediate sense of who the character is.