How can one build on the first paragraph of a horror story?

Well, first of all, if the first paragraph of a horror story is given, say 'The cellar was dark and smelled of decay.', you need to play with the reader's imagination. You can start by having the character explore the cellar slowly. Every step they take could be described in detail, like 'Her feet sank into the damp floor as she inched forward.' Then, introduce something unexpected, like a hand reaching out from the shadows. And keep the atmosphere tense throughout the story by using words that evoke fear, such as 'gloom', 'dread', and 'terror'.

The first paragraph of a horror story often sets the mood, like 'The old house stood at the end of the lane, its windows like empty eyes staring into the night.' Then, as the story continues, a young girl named Lily, who was new in town, decided to explore the house out of curiosity. As she entered, the door slammed shut behind her. She heard strange whispers in the dark. The floorboards creaked ominously as if something was slowly approaching her. Every nerve in her body was on edge, and she could feel the coldness seeping into her bones.

One way to make the first paragraph of a novel engaging is to use dialogue. Starting with a conversation between two characters can draw the reader in. For instance, 'What do you mean we're lost?' 'I thought you knew the way!' This gives a sense of immediacy and also starts to develop the characters. Also, creating a sense of urgency is important. Maybe the characters are in a race against time, like they have to find a hidden treasure before the bad guys do. Using unique or unexpected settings can also be engaging, such as starting the novel in an underwater city.

Perhaps the character starts to notice that the walls are bleeding. Red liquid oozes out, running down the walls and pooling on the floor. The smell of decay fills the air, and the character realizes that they are not alone. There's a presence that is slowly making itself known, a malevolent force that has been waiting for this moment.

One way is to use slow pacing and build up suspense gradually. Let the reader or viewer wonder what's coming next.

The setting can build suspense by being unpredictable. For example, if a character is in a maze - like old house, not knowing what lies around each corner. Every door they open could lead to a new and more terrifying discovery. Another way is through the use of hidden spaces. A secret room in an already spooky attic can hold all sorts of horrors waiting to be found.

To build a love story, start with two interesting characters. They could meet in an unexpected place, like a coffee shop during a rainstorm. Then, have them share common interests or face challenges together. For example, they might both love old movies and go on a hunt to find a rare one. Through these shared experiences, their feelings for each other can grow.

If the first paragraph of a crime story mentions a small - town setting and a seemingly ordinary person who is the victim, the ending could be that the whole town unites to find the culprit. It might end with the town's sense of justice being restored and the criminal being shunned by the community. There could be a lot of community - based investigations, like neighbors sharing information, and in the end, the truth is revealed.

Start with a clear main idea. Then, describe the key events or details simply and concisely. End with a conclusion or impact to make it a complete story in one paragraph.

Just focus on the key elements - the main character, the conflict, and the resolution. Be concise and descriptive.