What are some good starting lines for a short story and how can they be developed into a complete story?

If the starting line is 'The old house on the hill had always been a mystery.' You could write a story where a group of friends, on a dare, enter the house. Inside, they find a diary that reveals the tragic story of the family who used to live there. As they read, they start to experience the same spooky events that happened to the family years ago, and they must figure out how to escape the haunted house.

One good line to start a story could be 'In the dead of night, a strange noise woke me up.' A story could be about a person who discovers a hidden portal in their attic when they go to investigate the noise. Another starting line 'The old, creaky door swung open, revealing a world I had never seen before.' You could build a story around a character entering a magical realm through that door. And 'As the sun dipped below the horizon, a sense of unease settled over the town.' This could lead to a story about a town haunted by an ancient curse that becomes active at night.

One good opening line could be 'The night was as black as ink, and a coldness seeped into my bones as I entered the forest.' This line gives a sense of foreboding and an uncomfortable setting.

A great starting sentence is 'She stood at the edge of the cliff, the wind whipping her hair.' From this, the story could go in different directions. For example, she might be there to face her fears after a traumatic event. Or perhaps she's waiting for someone who once promised to meet her there. You could build on the setting, like the crashing waves below and the seagulls flying overhead, adding to the mood of the story.

One could be 'The Mysterious Door: A Start with a Secret'. Another might be 'The Lonely Path: Where the Story Begins'. And also 'The Forgotten Letter: A Tale's Opening'.

One great starting line could be 'In the dead of night, a strange noise echoed through the empty streets.' It immediately sets a mysterious and somewhat eerie mood, drawing the reader in.

One example could be 'We met on a rainy day at the bus stop, two strangers sharing an umbrella.' This sets a simple but relatable scene. It could lead to them starting a conversation, finding out they have common interests, and from that moment on, their friendship begins to grow. They might exchange numbers and start hanging out regularly, facing different challenges together and strengthening their bond as friends.

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.

First, you need to analyze the starting line. For example, if it's 'A lone figure stood at the edge of the cliff, looking out into the vast unknown.' You can start by asking questions. Who is this figure? What are they thinking? Maybe it's a warrior who has lost everything in a war and is now contemplating a new life. Then you can start building the world around this character. What kind of world is it? Is it a medieval land? A post - apocalyptic wasteland? Then you can introduce other characters like a mentor who finds the warrior at the cliff and offers him a new purpose.

You can start by thinking about the mood you want to set. If it's a horror story, a line like 'The old house creaked ominously as she stepped inside.' would be good. It gives an immediate sense of unease.