What are some good openings for a gothic story?

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.

The opening of '1984' by George Orwell, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' It immediately creates a sense of unease and a dystopian world where things are not as they should be. The abnormal time gives the reader a feeling that this is a world with its own strange rules.

In 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' This opening is brilliant as it quickly establishes a social context and the central theme of marriage and wealth that runs throughout the novel.

In 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen, the opening line 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' is brilliant. It not only gives a peek into the society's values and the central theme of marriage in the novel but also has a touch of humor. It makes the reader curious about how the story will unfold around this concept.

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.

Another is 'Call me Ishmael' from 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville. It's a simple yet direct way to introduce the narrator, making the reader curious about who Ishmael is and what his story will be.