Start by introducing a mysterious object. For instance, a young girl discovers an old, ornate box in her attic. It has strange symbols carved on it and gives off an icy cold feeling when she touches it. She can't resist the urge to open it, and as she does, a gust of cold wind blows through the attic, even though all the windows are closed. This object can then be the centerpiece around which the horror of the story unfolds.
Open with a strange noise. A continuous scratching sound from inside the walls, getting louder and louder. The character tries to figure out what's making the noise but is too afraid to investigate further. This creates suspense and a sense of dread right from the start.
Begin with a sense of unease. Maybe start with a character experiencing strange noises or unexplained events in their normal, everyday surroundings. This builds mystery and draws the reader in. For example, a person hears scratching at their window at night when they live on the top floor.
First, think about the themes that scare you or are common in horror, like the supernatural or psychological horror. Then, start by reading classic horror stories. For example, works by Edgar Allan Poe can give you a good idea of how to build suspense and create a spooky atmosphere.
One way is to start with an eerie setting. For example, describe a desolate old house on a stormy night. The howling wind and the creaking of the old wooden boards can immediately set a spooky mood.
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.'
When starting a horror story, you need to hook the reader immediately. One way is to introduce a mystery or a sense of danger. You could start with a character waking up in a strange place, not knowing how they got there, and with a feeling that something is very wrong. Then gradually build up the horror by introducing more elements like strange shadows or a feeling of being watched.
A good idea to start a horror story could be with an unexplained noise in the middle of the night. For example, the main character wakes up to a strange scratching sound coming from the attic. They're all alone in the house, and the sound is rhythmic and menacing. This immediately creates a sense of unease and mystery, drawing the reader in as they wonder what could be making that noise.
A great start could be a character moving into a new apartment. On the first night, they see a face in the window of the apartment across the street. But when they look again, it's gone. Later, they find out that the apartment has a dark history of disappearances. This discovery, along with the initial sighting, can be the start of a terrifying horror story.