Start with a strange sound or noise. For example, 'A low, guttural moan echoed through the empty hallway. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to figure out where it was coming from. This was how my nightmare began.' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what's causing the noise.
Set the scene in a spooky place like an old, abandoned house at midnight. Just describe the creaking floorboards, the cold drafts, and the peeling wallpaper. It immediately gives a sense of unease.
Start with a spooky animal that is out of place. Like a big black cat with glowing eyes that follows a child everywhere they go. You can write something like 'Lucy was walking home from school when she noticed a cat she had never seen before. It was all black and its eyes seemed to follow her every step. She tried to run, but it kept getting closer.' This kind of situation can be both scary and engaging for kids.
Describe the first time you see the haunted house. 'As I rounded the corner, the old, decrepit house loomed before me. Its broken windows were like empty eye sockets, and the overgrown ivy seemed to be strangling the walls. I knew then that this place was full of secrets and terrors waiting to be unleashed.'
One great way to start a story is with an interesting character in an unusual situation. For example, 'There was a man who woke up one morning to find his house had disappeared overnight.' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what will happen next.
Begin with a dialogue. For example, '“You can't be serious,” she said, her eyes wide with disbelief.' It makes the story feel immediate and alive. The reader is plunged right into the action and wants to know what the conversation is about.
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.
One of the best ways to start a mystery story is with an intriguing event. For example, a strange disappearance. You can begin by describing the scene where a character vanishes without a trace. The suddenness and mystery of it will immediately hook the reader. It makes them wonder what happened and why, creating an instant sense of curiosity that will drive them to keep reading.