The moon was full, but its light couldn't penetrate the thick fog that had swallowed the old, decrepit mansion at the end of the lane.
The old house stood at the end of the lane, its broken windows like empty eye sockets staring into the void. This opening line creates an image of a desolate and potentially haunted place, drawing the reader in.
A great opening line is 'The old house at the end of the lane had always been there, but no one really knew what secrets it held.' This kind of line makes the reader wonder about the secrets of the house and draws them into the story. It gives a sense of mystery and a touch of the unknown.
How about 'The wind howled through the desolate streets, carrying with it a sense of foreboding that chilled everyone to the bone.' This type of opening line sets a mood right away. The use of the howling wind and desolate streets gives an atmosphere of something not quite right. It makes the reader curious as to what is causing this feeling of foreboding and what might happen in this setting.
In Stephen King's 'It', the opening line 'The terror, which would not end for another twenty - eight years - if it ever did end - began, so far as I know or can tell, with a boat made from a sheet of newspaper floating down a gutter swollen with rain.' It hooks the reader right away. The mention of a long - lasting terror and something as simple as a floating paper boat in a rain - swollen gutter creates a contrast that draws you in.
A classic opening line might be 'The graveyard was filled with an unnatural stillness as the moon hung low in the sky.' This not only gives a spooky setting but also creates a sense of unease. The graveyard is a typical horror setting, and the description of the moon and the stillness draws the reader in, making them wonder what lurks within that stillness.
One good opening line could be 'The old house stood at the end of the lane, its broken windows like empty eye sockets.' This immediately sets a spooky and mysterious mood, making the reader wonder what secrets the house might hold.
The opening line 'The man who bought my soul already owned my body.' is quite a great horror opening. It throws you right into a disturbing situation. It makes you question how someone could have their body and soul in such a compromised state. It's a line that grabs your attention and drags you into a world of horror and the unknown.
One good opening line could be 'In the small, forgotten town, the first drops of rain fell like tears from a long - forgotten sky.' This immediately sets a moody and somewhat mysterious atmosphere. It makes the reader wonder about the town, why it's forgotten, and what significance the rain might have.
A great opening is 'The old house at the end of the lane had always been a mystery. Everyone in town had a different story about it.' This makes the reader curious about the house and the various stories. For example, it could lead to a horror story, a mystery about a hidden treasure, or a family secret. The possibilities are endless, and it draws the reader in by presenting an enigma right from the start.
One good opening line could be 'The day started like any other, until the strange noise came from the attic.' It immediately creates a sense of normalcy that is about to be disrupted, which draws the reader in.