Come up with svereal ways to show "startle" and "fear" that are not cliche, ie, NOT: "Oh my God!" she said, the hair on her arms brislting.  The door opened and a chill went up Jose's spine.

Build a scene setting a particular mood using a character you already know. Bring in an object that changes the mood and sets your character off in a new direction.

Write a fictional dream. Write it in 1st person present tense. Add a dog into the dream.