Can you give examples of best opening sentences for short stories that create a strong emotional impact?

Sure. 'The wind howled through the empty streets, carrying with it a sense of foreboding.' It gives a spooky atmosphere and makes the reader curious about what's going on in those empty streets.

Sure. 'All children, except one, grow up.' from 'Peter Pan' by J.M. Barrie. This sentence is both sad and mysterious, making the reader wonder why this one child doesn't grow up.

Sure. In 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This opening draws the reader in as it implies there's some important advice and that the narrator has been reflecting on it. It gives a personal touch and sets the stage for the story about the narrator's experiences with Gatsby.

Sure. 'It was a dark and stormy night, and the wind howled like a wild beast outside the small cottage.' This is a classic type of opening that sets a moody and somewhat ominous atmosphere. Another example is 'The first time I saw her, she was standing on the edge of the cliff, her hair flying in the wind, and I knew my life was about to change.' It creates an immediate sense of intrigue about the relationship between the narrator and the girl.

Sure. 'The old house stood alone on the hill, its windows like empty eyes staring into the abyss.' This gives a spooky and desolate feeling right from the start. The comparison of the windows to 'empty eyes' is vivid and makes the house seem almost alive in a menacing way.

Sure. 'All children, except one, grow up.' This opening of 'Peter Pan' is very engaging. It singles out one child and makes the reader curious about who that child is and why they don't grow up like the others.

One way is to expand on the characters introduced or hinted at in the opening sentence. Say the opening is 'She stood at the edge of the cliff, her hair whipping in the wind'. You can start by giving her a name, like Emily. Then, think about why she's there. Is she thinking about jumping? Or is she waiting for someone? As you build the story, keep the tone consistent with the opening. If it's a somber opening, don't suddenly make it a comedy. Add details about her past, her dreams, and how the situation at the cliff is going to change her life.

Another great one is 'All this happened, more or less.' from 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut. It gives a sense of non - committal, as if the story might be a bit hazy or not entirely reliable. This draws the reader in because they want to find out what 'all this' is and why it's only'more or less' true. It's a simple yet very effective way to start a story that plays with the idea of truth and memory.

One way is through well - developed characters. If readers can relate to or empathize with the characters, they'll be more likely to feel an emotional impact. For example, if a character is going through a tough break - up and the writer describes their feelings vividly. Another way is by using a powerful setting. A desolate, war - torn landscape can evoke feelings of sadness and despair.

An opening line like 'In the old house on the hill, the shadows moved when there was no one to make them move.' is great for dread. The old house on the hill is a classic horror setting, and the idea of the shadows moving on their own defies logic and gives a very creepy feeling. It makes you think that there are forces at work that are not of this world, and that's a very effective way to start a horror novel.