Writing your own horror story can be fun and interesting for a class.The opening lines of a horror story are one of the more challenging elements.Creating a story idea and crafting a strong beginning can be used to start a horror story.The beginning pages should be revised so they fit with the rest of the story.
Step 1: Tell me about something that scares or revolts you.
Think about what scares you the most.This could be a fear of heights, clowns, or even losing a friend.You can explore this fear as an idea for your story.Use your fear as a basis for a story.If you were forced to confront these fears, how would you react?Ask family, friends, and partners what scares them the most.They can be used as an idea for your story.
Step 2: Something horrifying can be turned into an ordinary situation.
If you go for a stroll in the park, prepare a meal, or visit a friend, you can add a terrifying element to the situation.Add a horrifying spin to a scene with your imagination.Maybe you come across a severed ear during your morning stroll in the park or a vegetable you are cutting up for dinner turns into a finger.It is possible to skew or twist around a situation that seems commonplace.
Step 3: Don't let your characters in a scary setting.
Limit or trap your main character in a setting that is frightening.Using setting will allow you to build tension and terror in the story.Consider a confined space that scares you.Do you dread or fear being trapped in the most?You might put your character in a confined space like a coffin, a cold cellar, an abandoned police station, or an island.It's a good idea to have your characters in a scary setting to create fear and suspense.
Step 4: There should be distinct main characters.
It is possible to start your horror story with character development.A main character or several main characters should be distinct and detailed.If you create a character study for each character, you can get a sense of how they live, think, and react in a conflict.Even if your sketch doesn't show up in your story, it can still have an impact on how you write your character.Your readers will notice a well-rounded character.Ask yourself about the character's age, occupation, marital status, and view of the world.
Step 5: Your main character should have an extreme emotion.
The reader reacts to the material.Extreme emotion can be created in the reader by giving your character an extreme emotion that they have to struggle with over the course of the story.Emotions like shock, paranoia, and dread are strong emotions that can motivate a character to take action.Conflict can be created by making your character experience an intense shock, like the death of a loved one or a job loss.If the character were not in shock or dealing with the aftermath of a major event, they wouldn't make the decisions they do.It's possible to give your main character paranoia or a sense that something isn't right.The character will be suspicious and see things from a different perspective.This is an easy way to establish a relationship with other characters.Paranoia makes your reader doubt their understanding of the events happening in the story.To give your main character a sense of dread is an option.It is possible to build tension in the story and keep the reader on edge.
Step 6: A plot outline can be created.
If you have a clear idea of where your characters are going in the story, you can create a plot outline.Your story will be stronger in the long run if you come up with the structure in advance.The plot outline can be used as a guide for your story, though you may end up deviating from it if inspiration strikes as you write the horror story.You can use a plot diagram to create an outline.The plot diagram will have six separate sections that form a triangle with the climax at the top.The six sections are set up, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action and resolution.The outline can be created using the snowflake method.You can do this by creating a one sentence summary of the plot, followed by a single paragraph summary, and then a spreadsheet of scenes.
Step 7: The first line should be informative and engaging.
The first line of your story should raise questions in the reader's mind but also bring them into the story.A good opening line will tell the reader what the story is about, have a point of view, and hint of characterization.If you decide to write a story about your fear of velcro, it may be set in a dystopian world.Sara tried to sit still while the men tightened the straps around her wrists, squeezing her eyes shut to block out the terrifying sound.Who are the men and why is Sara strapped down are some of the questions raised by it.The questions will keep your reader interested.
Step 8: Start in a scene.
Try to start your story in a scene where your characters are moving.If you start a scene with action, you will hook your reader in so they will keep reading.It will help the reader to feel part of the story.Try to place your main character in a scene where they are in distress.The horror element of the story will be introduced immediately.Your main character may be strapped into a device in the opening scene of your story.You can describe how it feels for your character to be in the device and her thought process of trying to escape while her captors try to keep her strapped down.
Step 9: Immediately mention terrifying or unnerving details.
If you are writing a horror story, don't be afraid to include frightening details in the first paragraph.The setting and the conflict should be known by the end of the first paragraph.Your reader should have a good sense of fear by the end of the first page, as you want to evoke strong emotions from them.Blood, guts, mucus, brain matter, or saliva may be included in the first paragraph of your story.The story should not feel familiar or cliché if the gory details are used a little at a time.It's more meaningful for your reader if you include some gore.
Step 10: There is a main conflict.
Your main character should be spurred into action in a main conflict in your horror story.The main conflict of your horror story should be in the first few paragraphs.Having a conflict in your story as soon as possible will help build tension and keep your reader interested.A main character may be trying to get rid of a ghost in her home.The main conflict could be introduced right away.She tried to get rid of the ghost in her house so she wouldn't hurt anyone or endanger her family.The theme of survival is a common overarching conflict, as your character must face a terrifying situation that threatens their life if they can't escape it.You should have a good reason for withholding the conflict from the reader.Your reader may get confused or lost if you don't have this information.
Step 11: You can use the active voice.
The active voice should always be used in your opening section and throughout your story.The passive voice can make your sentences sound dry or bland.With a lot of action and forward momentum, you want to create sentences that are engaging and dynamic to your reader.You could start your story with "Sara feels the straps, cold and metal, on her skin as the men hold her", which is passive and confusing.Third person or second person can be used to use the active voice in the past tense.
Step 12: Start with the example beginnings.
It is possible to get a better sense of start your horror story with a bang by reading example beginnings from popular horror stories.You can use these openings as a guide for your own story.The beginning of "The Tell-Tale Heart" is an example.The opening lines tell the reader that the narrator is very nervous and could be mad.The opening gives the reader a good idea of what to expect in the story.Joyce Carol Oates wrote the beginning of "Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?"She was fifteen and she had a quick, nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people's faces to make sure her own was all right.The main character is flawed and may be susceptible to outside influence.The beginning of 1984 by George Orwell is well known and admired for its ability to cram all the craft elements of the story in one sentence.A day that is bright and cold is what the reader is set up for.The clock hitting thirteen feels like a sign of misfortune to come.
Step 13: The opening lines should be read loud.
The opening of your horror story should be read loud to hear how it sounds on the page.If the opening lines are disturbing, note them.The opening lines should contain plot, characterization, setting, and voice.You can peer to get a second opinion or read the opening lines loud to a friend.Ask your audience to rate the story on a scale of 1 to 10.Getting a second viewpoint on the beginning can make the opening stronger.
Step 14: The beginning should be changed when you have reached the end.
It can be easier to write the rest of the story if the beginning lines are cracked.You should revise the beginning of your horror story once you have created a satisfying ending.This will make sure your story is in line with where you started.The beginning section should flow well with the rest of the story.The beginning of the story should be adjusted to reflect any changes to your character or setting.The rest of the story is what you want your beginning to feel like.
Step 15: The beginning should be changed for clarity, voice, and style.
You should read over the beginning section to make it easy for the reader to follow.If an opening section doesn't make sense to a reader, they will stop reading.The character voice in the beginning section should be the same voice as the rest of the story.It feels cohesive if you have a consistent character voice throughout the story.