how to write a horror story opening examples

Lucy V. Hay is an author, script editor and blogger who helps other writers through writing workshops, courses, and her blog Bang2Write. You want a consistent character voice throughout your story so it feels cohesive. Prologue: In which we are reintroduced to a pair of individuals with unconventional interpretations of the term 'dead'. It is true that I have sent six bullets through the head of my best friend, and yet I hope to shew by this statement that I am not his murderer. For example, rather than start your story with the line: “The straps are cold on Sara’s skin as the men strap her into the chair," which is passive and confusing, you may start with: “Sara feels the straps, cold and metal, on her skin as the men hold her down in the chair.” The second sentence uses the active voice and places the subject of the sentence,“Sara," next to the verb in the sentence, “feels.”. Coraline discovered the door a little while after they moved into the house. (Or to get readers to exclaim, "Who in their right mind has sex at such a moment?!"). Of course. Want More Horror Writing Advice? The six sections are: the set up, the inciting incident, the rising action, the climax, the falling action, and the resolution. Neil Gaiman | I’ve written over 100 stories, and it’s impossible to do that without noticing trends about what works and what doesn’t. Writing Scary Stories & Horror for Kids: 4 Lessons from Goosebumps Author R.L. Add a “what if” element to your greatest fear. 2. Jonathan L. Howard. Now, let us consider the life of Johannes Cabal, if briefly. Chapter 1: In which death awaits and a plot is hatched. — The Brothers Cabal. Horror writing can seem daunting, but read on to learn about common horror tropes and writing tips to create your own scary stories. It's your story, it's your choice how to end it. Somehow, you have to keep readers interested even when the only thing happening is a door opening by itself. Jonathan L. Howard. At its heart, horror fiction reminds us that cause and effect is real, even in the fantastical realm of storytelling. Then give it a go! Perhaps one of the more challenging elements of the horror story is the beginning of the story, or the opening lines. So, if you’re a budding horror writer (or aspiring writer of any genre) download these horror … Every story has to start somewhere. Additionally, set up the main conflict and introduce scary or unsettling details, like details about an accident or a murder, to build tension from the start. The example opening lines above contrast the excitement of finishing a first draft with the disappointment when reading it again the next day; it then entices readers to check out the tips in the article by promising four ways to make a drab first draft dazzle and dance. To my horror, it came back with “–2,378,231 rows affected.” — waysafe. A spooky story does not need to be very scary, it could just be mysterious or eerie instead. This article has been viewed 119,456 times. For want of a nail the kingdom was lost - that's how the catechism goes when you boil it down. % of people told us that this article helped them. Lovecraft. Cautious investigators will hesitate to challenge the common belief that Robert Blake was killed by lightning, or by some profound nervous shock derived from an electrical discharge. Thank you for sharing these fabulous opening lines! 4 Things That Every Horror Story Needs. You will do this by creating a one sentence summary of the plot, followed by a one paragraph summary of the plot, and then a spreadsheet of scenes. Nobody was really surprised when it happened, not really, not at the subconscious level where savage things grow. You can also use the snowflake method to create the outline. A truly good horror movie utilizes all key aspects of suspense. Utilize these nine points and perhaps you can see your own horror stories on the big or small screen one day — read more on that at the end of the post. A horror story is quite a specific genre because it requires a variety of skills and knowledge. Here are a few ideas with some examples from some master horror writers…. Ghost, Supernatural, & Demon Horror Story Ideas and Writing Prompts. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 119,456 times. "This is creepy, Erin." Too much and readers get tired of it. Another common overarching conflict is the theme of survival, wherein your character must face a terrifying situation that threatens their life if they cannot escape it. Reading a good horror story can make us feel the same thrill and adrenaline rush as riding a particularly fast roller coaster. Think about different scenarios in which you might experience some of your greatest fears. From a private hospital for the insane near Providence, Rhode Island, there recently disappeared an exceedingly singular person. You should consider if the beginning section flows well with the rest of the story. Use your fear as material for a story about something scary or revolting. These questions will keep your reader engaged and willing to keep turning the page. This will introduce the horror element of the story right away. 'The right place' is not the tip of a needle, it's more of a broader time frame, as in within a chapter or two. “An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story,” he said. Below you’ll find five classic horror scripts that every screenwriter who wants to write horror should study.. We’re massive proponents of finding the best screenplays to read in order to improve your writing craft. You should also adjust the beginning to reflect any changes to your character or your setting that you made later on in the story. After twenty-two years of nightmare and terror, saved only by a desperate conviction of the mythical source of certain impressions, I am unwilling to vouch for the truth of that which I think I found in Western Australia on the night of July 17-18, 1935. Chapter 1: In which a scientist visits hell and a deal is struck. — The Curse of Camp Cold Lake. I hope you enjoy these ghost horror story writing prompts and they inspire you to write something crazy scary. — Johannes Cabal: The Fear Institute. Another option is to give your main character a sense of dread or a feeling that something bad is going to happen. Chapter 1: In which the Fear Institute visits and Cabal is confronted by the police. 45 Example Hooks from Adventure Movies While writing a hook for our first full-length novel, Echo Chamber Heist, I decided to look at some hooks from adventure movies. It almost doesn’t matter how you start, but it matters that you start. This article has been viewed 119,456 times. Think of anything that makes you/your readers feel secure, and take it away. You may also read the opening lines out loud to a trusted friend or peer to get a second opinion. How can I make a good plot twist in a horror story without having cliches? You should then revise your beginning pages so they fit with the rest of the story and are as engaging as possible. 3 May. Paranoia is also great at unnerving your reader and making them also doubt their understanding of the events happening in the story. I got off to a bad start at Camp Cold Lake. The first sentence of a short story doesn't just "hook" readers, it also sets the tone and launches the plot. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. :) ", "Thanks, this was very helpful with my assignment. Bistritz. Writing your own horror story can be a fun personal project or an interesting assignment for a class. The Johannes Cabal books never fail to open with an intriguing title for chapter one. In addition, an effective horror story also includes motivation, suspense, ambiguity, foreshadowing, and a general mood of fear and/or dread." You want the entire story to be in the genre of horror, not for it's genre to change to sex during the sex scenes. A Short Story : A Story Of A Scary Story 1070 Words | 5 Pages “Uncle Chuzube, uncle Chuzube can you tell us a scary story,” the five children in the room said in unision. So if each of your parts is only 5 pages long, they're not really long enough to qualify as parts. Here are four lessons from the master himself. Stine. For tips on how to write in the active voice to draw readers into your horror story, scroll down! Whether it be sound, acting, visuals, and the overall foreshadowing of the story. For example, you may open your story with a scene where your main character is being strapped into a device. You can start your own horror story by first creating a story idea and crafting a strong beginning. Whichever one suits your story better. Sabrina Mason asked. Try to place your main character in a scene where they are in distress or unsettled in some way. You can start your own horror story by first creating a story idea and crafting a strong beginning. 21 Responses to “20 Great Opening Lines to Inspire the Start of Your Story” Bella Street on April 05, 2011 10:06 am. b. My friend Marty grabbed my sleeve. That's how this post began, but it's turned into more of an article on how to write a horror story that will terrify readers—at least, that's the hope! “It should say: Listen. West of Arkham the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut. Hauntings should escalate, slowly. Here they are and they are worth bookmarking and referencing each time you begin a story. There needs to be a balance. Adam Salton sauntered into the Empire Club, Sydney, and found awaiting him a letter from his grand-uncle. If you plan to write a spooky story, you need to include some scary parts, but along with that you could add romance, comedy or fantasy. The reader is yearning to know how the issue is resolved, if you keep them waiting for another 55 chapters, the resolution's satisfaction will never be enough to cover all that waiting. <3 Especially since it's in Georgia, where I grew up. To be fair, writing horror is where I struggle most in writing as well, but I do listen to a lot of very creepy stories online. How to Write a Horror Story: 7 Tips for Writing Horror In our era of highly commercialized crime and thriller novels, it may seem like zeitgeist-defining horror books are a thing of the past. Go with your gut on this one, and choose an idea that feels both familiar and provocative. 5 horror scripts to download and take your horror writing to the next level. This could be the main conflict that you introduce in the story right away. On a very hot day in August of 1994, my wife told me she was going down to the Derry Rite Aid to pick up a refill on her sinus medication prescription - this is stuff you can buy over the counter these days, I believe. For example, you may try to include gory details like blood, guts, mucus, brain matter, or saliva in the first paragraph of your story. Ask your listener if they find the story creepy, disturbing, or horrifying. Lovecraft | 1. References Of Herbert West, who was my friend in college and in after life, I can speak only with extreme terror. You can add to this by utilizing foreshadowing techniques. Approved. 1. If you decide to withhold the conflict from the reader until later in the story, you should have a good reason for doing this. Consider a confined space that scares you or frightens you. Whether you’re new to writing horror or just burnt out and need a framework to help construct your next idea, I recommend writing down these four steps before you start every story. Almost everyone thought the man and the boy were father and son. The 1980s horror movie The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick utilized these aspects very well. It's a great moment to kill off a character, for example. It also raises questions in the reader’s mind, such as who are “the men” and why is Sara being strapped down? Writing your own horror story can be a fun personal project or an interesting assignment for a class. The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. Dread can help to build tension in the story and keep the reader on edge. Whatever it takes to get you writing. Make sure the character voice in the beginning section matches the character voice in the rest of the story. You can also give your main character a dose of paranoia, or a sense that something is not quite right. Consider how you would react as a character if you were forced to confront these fears. I needed to quickly run a SQL command to update a single row in an Oracle DB table at work. Ask yourself where you would dread or fear being trapped in the most. 16 July 2019. rachelleadmin says: October 8, 2018 at 1:43 am. When you decide on what kind of horror you want to write, whether abductions or a sociopathic serial killer, don’t go overboard with horror tropes. This opening line introduces the main character, Sara, and places her in a scene where she is experiencing fear and discomfort. Writing a script is challenging in many ways. To write a credible horror novel, in other words, show that the horror-filled situation is dependent on a network of character choices, past or present. Maybe you have the next spinechiller in you. You can still use the active voice in the past tense, using third person or second person. ", "This is helping me in a school assignment. by A good place to start would be my own library of horror stories. if the sex is not pivotal to the plot, then omit it. Writing the scary, the action, and the love scenes are what I call “cookie scenes”–they’re my favorite to write and usually the ones that require the least editing later on. Try this: Write your high school years as a teen horror movie script. Examples from famous books reveal this has always been one of the popular ways to start a story. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. I had started writing a horror story but did n’t knew how to proceed. — The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. Curt Wilcox's boy came around the barracks a lot the year after his father died, I mean a lot, but nobody ever told him get out the way or asked him what in hail he was doing there again. How do I grab the reader's attention without revealing too much? You needn't think I'm crazy, Eliot - plenty of others have queerer prejudices than this. Writing the location and characters are the easy parts. In 10 Steps To Writing a Horror Script - With Examples, I go over the classic horror movie structure with clips from some well known movies. --nervous --very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?”, The beginning of “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates: “Her name was Connie. “Alright, alright kids I’ll tell you one scary story then bedtime, okay?” Uncle Chuzube said. WALKING DEAD. If that doesn't work for you, try third person. By using our site, you agree to our. I have examined maps of the city with the greatest care, yet have never again found the Rue D'Auseil. A good horror story can gross you out, terrify you, or haunt your dreams. I had just arrived at Cruden Bay on my annual visit, and after a late breakfast was sitting on the low wall which was a continuation of the escarpment of the bridge over the Water of Cruden. Professional Writer. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Thanks for the help. Thanks for posting this list. How can I create a twist in the right place? The beating undead heart of horror is the knowledge that bad things happen to good people. I will share it with friends. It’s incredibly helpful. I like to read first lines for inspiration, so I hope this collection will help you. After you overcome the stress of facing the first draft review and all the reviews after that and then you see the job done it is, without a doubt, a… Last Updated: June 3, 2020 I am writing this under an appreciable mental strain, since by tonight I shall be no more. For example, Dodie Smith opens I Capture the Castle (1949): ‘I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.’ The narrator Cassandra’s choice of sitting place is … (This example is, in part, based on this.) The rest of the story could then be about her attempt to get rid of the ghost in her house without getting hurt or harming anyone in her family. Come in here. Story Starter Sentences— One of the most difficult parts of creative writing is actually getting a new piece started. Horror stories depend on the reader believing in the story enough to be scared, disturbed, or disgusted. Lucy is the producer of two British thrillers and her debut crime novel, The Other Twin, is currently being adapted for the screen by Free@Last TV, makers of the Emmy-nominated Agatha Raisin. Jonathan L. Howard | Perhaps one of the more challenging elements of the horror story is the beginning of the story, or the opening lines. Jonathan L. Howard. One thing I am certain about is with all of the stories, they all have 1. a protagonist, 2. an enemy force or person or thing, 3. and they all have a twist of surprise. Hearts pound, blood rushes, breathing escalates. Stine | That way you feel like you know your characters, and it's much easier to write with them that way. Withholding information should only be done intentionally and for the benefit of the story, as your reader may get confused or lost without this information. But if your books/stories are linked, then each can indeed become a part. I'm currently editing a manuscript for a sci-fi horror story I'm writing, but I haven't been sure if I was on the right track. If it feels cliche, figure out why it feels that way and take away the part that seems too obvious or predictable. Copyright © 2014-2021 Leslie Anderson and David T. Allen. 66 Horror Writing Prompts. Try to start your story in the middle of a scene where characters are doing something, since action is engaging. Whether you’re writing for a special occasion or just to experiment with the horror genre, any of the scary story prompts in the following groups should get you started. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. JRR Tolkien once said about his Lord of the Rings trilogy that "It's too short"! wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Make the sweetest or kindest character turn out to be evil, or just straight-up kill them off. http://referenceforwriters.tumblr.com/post/60572428904/7-helpful-tips-to-writing-good-horror-stories, http://blog.karenwoodward.org/2014/06/17-ways-to-write-terrifyingly-good.html, http://wordflow.webs.com/apps/blog/show/25884204-the-pen-is-mightier-scary-101-how-to-write-a-good-horror-story, http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/write-first-chapter-get-started/10-ways-to-start-your-story-better, http://jerz.setonhill.edu/writing/grammar-and-syntax/active-and-passive-verbs/, http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/POE/telltale.html, http://celestialtimepiece.com/2015/01/21/where-are-you-going-where-have-you-been/, http://www.dailywritingtips.com/20-great-opening-lines-to-inspire-the-start-of-your-story/, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. ". This article was co-authored by Lucy V. Hay. — HesusMendez. You can base your characters off of real people you know! Words That Show Fear. In this section, you will find one of the most common types of horror story, those dealing with ghost stories, the supernatural, or demons. Don't write a sex scene just because you want a sex scene in your story. To write a you-focused opening, picture your ideal reader in a scene. Me too, Lori! There are many strategies to accomplish this, but for a horror story it is usually best to use deceptive techniques. Lucy is the producer of two British thrillers and her debut crime novel, The Other Twin, is currently being adapted for the screen by Free@Last TV, makers of the Emmy-nominated Agatha Raisin. What if I'm having trouble creating a protagonist and antagonist? Expert Interview. You want your beginning to feel like a natural start to the rest of the story. Not enough haunting makes the story boring. Lovecraft. I.e. It all seemed so real that I could hardly imagine that it had ever occurred before; and yet each episode came, not as a fresh step in the logic of things, but as something expected. David T. Allen. Read on "This has really helped me, I was having a lot of trouble figuring out how to write and start my horror story and, "I'm trying to write a scary story, but I was struggling how to start it. We’ve pulled these nine bullet points on writing effective horror screenplays from the video and elaborated on them to showcase how to craft some amazing horror scripts. Build up anticipation on who the antagonist is or what their true motives are (if the identity is already known), then create a twist. AMERICAN HORROR STORY--I haven't even HEARD of this. Horror is making a comeback in film and fiction, with many classics being remade or reinvented. Torgos and the Familiar is a story about how even villains have a soft side and some predators are just trying to survive. 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