What are some familiar openings to stories?

In a far - away land can also be a common opening. It gives a sense of mystery and distance, making the audience curious about what is going to happen in this unknown place. It often leads to adventures and exploration within the story.

They hook the reader. For example, 'Once upon a time' makes you want to know what's going to happen next.

Familiar openings like 'Once upon a time' engage readers by creating a sense of nostalgia. We've all heard stories that start this way, so it feels cozy and inviting. It makes us eager to hear what the story has in store.

A good opening could be starting with a thought - provoking question like 'Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world without colors?' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them curious to find out more.

A great story opening is 'It was a dark and stormy night, and all was quiet in the old mansion on the hill.' This sets a spooky and suspenseful mood. 'The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the village, when a stranger rode into town.' This opening gives a sense of anticipation as to who the stranger is. Also, 'As the first snowflake fell, a young boy made a discovery that would change his life forever.' It gives a feeling of new beginnings and mystery about the discovery.

A sudden, unexplained noise in the dead of night. For example, 'The creaking floorboard in the empty hallway woke her from a deep sleep. She lay there, frozen, as the sound repeated, each creak closer than the last.'

One good opening could be 'The old, creaking door swung open, revealing a room filled with a thick, impenetrable darkness that seemed to swallow the feeble light from the hallway.' It immediately sets a spooky and mysterious mood.

One good sentence opening could be 'In a world far different from our own...'. This immediately sets the story in a fictional and unique setting, making the reader curious about what this different world might be like.

A dark and stormy night, with the wind howling like a banshee outside the old, creaky house. The protagonist is alone, a single candle flickering as they hear strange scratching noises at the door.

One great opening is to start with a thought - provoking question. For example, 'Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world without colors?' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them curious to find out more. It sets the tone for a story that could be about a world where something fundamental has been altered.