What are some ways to write a scary story?

Create a sense of danger. This could be a serial killer on the loose in a small town or a cursed object that brings misfortune to whoever touches it. The key is to make the threat feel real and immediate. Also, use cliffhangers at the end of chapters or sections to keep the reader on edge.

One way is to start with a spooky setting like a haunted house or a dark forest. Another is to create really creepy characters, such as a ghost with a long, sad history. Also, use suspenseful language, like 'a strange silence filled the air as she entered the old attic'.

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.'

Well, you can use different literary devices. For instance, use a lot of metaphors in one version to make it more poetic. So if the story is about a friendship, you could say 'Their friendship was like a sturdy oak tree, standing firm through all seasons.' In another version, be very literal and just state the facts of how the friendship developed. Additionally, playing with the tone can be a method. A light - hearted, humorous tone in one write - up and a solemn, serious tone in another for the same basic plot.

A sudden, unexpected event can make for a great start. For instance, 'I was walking home on a normal day when suddenly, a hand reached out from the sewer grate and grabbed my ankle. I screamed, but no one was around to hear me.'

You can also use a story generator. There are many online tools where you input some basic elements like a character type, a setting, and a theme, and it gives you a starting point for your story. Then you can expand on it with your own creativity, adding unique plot twists and character development.

Begin with a vivid and strange image that makes the reader wonder what's going on. For example, start with a character waking up in a place full of floating objects. Then, build the story around that. Incorporate real - life events or emotions but in a fictional context. It makes the story relatable yet imaginative. Also, play with the structure. Have non - linear timelines, jumping between past, present and future.

One interesting way is to start from the end and work backwards. It creates a sense of mystery as the reader discovers how the story got to that final point. Another way is to write from multiple perspectives. For example, in a crime story, you can write from the detective's view, the criminal's view, and a witness's view. This gives a more comprehensive understanding of the story. Also, using a non - linear narrative, like jumping between different time periods, can make the story more engaging.

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.'