Scary opening lines can grab attention by evoking fear directly. Such as 'I heard a scream that seemed to come from the very depths of hell.' It shocks the reader and makes them want to know more about what caused that scream.
By creating a sense of mystery. For example, 'The old clock in the attic started ticking again, after years of silence.' This makes the reader curious about why it started ticking.
They can also do it by setting an eerie atmosphere. 'The fog rolled in, swallowing the town whole. I was alone in the middle of it, with no idea what lurked within.' This description of the fog and the feeling of isolation makes the reader eager to find out what will happen next.
They often start with a sense of mystery. For instance, 'There was a strange package on my doorstep when I got home. No name, no address.' This makes the reader curious about what the package is and what it means for the story.
One effective way is to start with a captivating hook - a surprising statement, a thrilling scene, or a mystery. It instantly grabs the reader's interest and makes them want to know more.
By creating a sense of mystery. For example, 'The door to the attic creaked open, and a strange smell wafted out.'
By being mysterious. For example, 'Is it here?' 'I'm not sure, but something's different.' This makes the reader wonder what 'it' is and what's different, thus grabbing their attention.
Start with a gripping opening scene. It could be a high-stakes situation, a mystery, or a surprising event that makes readers want to know more.
One way is to start with an interesting or mysterious statement. For example, 'The door creaked open, and a cold wind rushed in, but no one was there.' This immediately makes the reader wonder what's going on.
Some opening lines use shock value. Like 'All this happened, more or less.' from Kurt Vonnegut's 'Slaughterhouse - Five'. It's a rather nonchalant way to start a story that is about the horrors of war, and this contrast between the casual tone and the serious subject matter grabs the reader's attention.
Great opening lines can also introduce a character in an interesting way. Such as 'John woke up with a strange mark on his hand, and he had no memory of how it got there.' This immediately makes the reader interested in John and his situation. They want to know more about who he is and what the mark means.
By starting with a bang. For example, an explosion in a space station that throws the characters into immediate chaos.
By creating an interesting character right away. For example, if the main character has a really unique job or hobby, like being a treasure hunter or a master of ancient calligraphy. It makes the reader want to know more about them.