Can you give more good openings to horror stories?

A foreboding dream. 'He had the same dream every night for a week. In it, he was in a dark, endless corridor with doors on either side. Each door had a strange symbol, and a cold wind blew from behind him, urging him forward, but he knew that whatever lay beyond those doors was something terrifying.'

Here's a more complex opening. 'In the middle of the bustling city square, a woman suddenly collapsed. As she hit the ground, a small, leather - bound book slipped from her purse. No one noticed it at first, but when they did, they saw strange markings on the cover. Those who looked closer seemed to be overcome with a sense of dread.' This opening combines a sudden event, an unexpected object, and a reaction from those who encounter it, all of which are great for setting up a mystery.

Starting with a mysterious statement works well. For instance, 'The old house on the corner had a secret that no one knew, until now.' This piques the reader's interest as they want to uncover what that secret is. It can lead to a story full of mystery and discovery.

You could also start with a simple, relatable situation. For instance, 'Tommy was so excited to go to the park. He had his favorite ball in his hand and was ready for a day of fun.' This makes children feel like they can understand the character's feelings and gets them engaged in the story. Another good opening for kids is a rhyming one. Such as 'Once upon a time in a far - off rhyme, there was a bunny that liked to climb.' Rhymes are catchy for children and can hold their attention better.

Sure. 'The door creaked open, and a cold wind swept in, carrying with it a sense of foreboding.' This opening creates an immediate sense of unease and makes the reader wonder what's behind the door.

'Two friends sat on the park bench, the sun shining down on them, but little did they know that their lives were about to change forever.' This opening sets the scene of a normal friendship moment but then hints at upcoming change.

A sudden, unexplained noise in the dead of night. For example, 'The creaking floorboard in the empty hallway woke her from a deep sleep. She lay there, frozen, as the sound repeated, each creak closer than the last.'

A dark and stormy night, with the wind howling like a banshee outside the old, creaky house. The protagonist is alone, a single candle flickering as they hear strange scratching noises at the door.

Curses. A family or a community being haunted by an ancient curse that brings misfortune and death. For instance, every generation might face a strange and deadly phenomenon because of a long - forgotten curse. This creates a sense of inevitability and doom.

Another one could be 'The clock struck midnight and all the lights in the house suddenly went out.' Midnight is a very ominous time in horror stories, and the sudden loss of lights in the house creates a sense of panic and vulnerability, leaving the reader to wonder what will happen next in the darkness.