Opening to a ghost story: What are some good first lines for a ghost story?

Begin with a character arriving at an old, abandoned mansion. Describe how the overgrown bushes scrape against the walls and the creaking gate as they enter. The air is thick with mystery and the sense of a place long forgotten, which is perfect for starting a ghost story. It makes the readers wonder what secrets the mansion holds.

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.

Begin with a local legend. You can open with something like 'In this small town, there was a legend that every hundred years, a ghost would appear in the old church at midnight.' This immediately gives the story a sense of history and mystery. The readers are intrigued to find out if the legend is true and what the ghost is all about.

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.

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.

Typically, a spooky setting is common in the opening of a ghost story. For example, an old, abandoned house with creaking floors and broken windows. Also, a sense of unease or mystery, like a strange noise or an unexplained cold breeze.

Once upon a time, there was a potato that could talk. And it wasn't just any potato. It was a potato with a French accent and dreams of becoming a famous singer.

Well, you could go for something like 'Shadows of the Supernatural'. This subtitle creates an image of the ghosts as shadowy figures that are part of the supernatural world. Another one could be 'The Unseen Ghosts'. It makes the readers or viewers curious about the ghosts that are not easily seen. 'Ghostly Inhabitants' is also a great choice as it gives the impression that the ghosts are like inhabitants of a different, spooky realm.

One interesting opening line is from '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 line immediately sets the stage for a story about marriage and social status in 19th - century England.