What are great ways to start a scary story?

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.'

You can start with a sudden and unexplained event. Like, 'The lights in the room flickered and then went out all at once. I heard a strange scratching noise coming from the wall.' It creates a sense of confusion and fear.

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.'

One way is to start with a strange noise. For example, 'In the dead of night, a shrill screeching sound cut through the silence like a knife.'

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 noise. For example, 'In the dead of night, a low, moaning sound echoed through the empty house.' It immediately creates an atmosphere of unease and makes the reader wonder what's making that noise.

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.

A good way to begin is with a sense of impending doom. 'I felt it in my bones, that something was horribly wrong. There was a heaviness in the air, a stillness that was not peaceful but rather filled with a lurking danger. I didn't know what it was yet, but I knew it was coming for me.' This type of start makes the reader feel the unease that the character is experiencing.

One great way to start a scary story is with an unexpected sound. For example, 'In the dead of night, a shrill scream pierced through the silence, making my blood run cold.' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets a spooky mood.

One great way is to start with a mysterious setting. For example, describe a fog - covered forest where strange noises come from the deep. It immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets a spooky and fantastical mood.