Invoke a feeling of unease right away. 'As the clock struck midnight, a faint scratching sound came from the wall, a sound that seemed to be coming from another world.' This opening line makes the reader wonder what is causing the scratching sound and why it seems otherworldly. It creates an immediate sense of unease as midnight is often associated with the supernatural, and the strange sound adds to the mystery.
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 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 funny opening line could be 'Once upon a time, in a land not too far away but with really strange smelling cheese, there lived a frog who thought he was a prince, but everyone else thought he was just a very confused amphibian.'
A very effective short story opening line is 'There was a man who was born old and grew younger every day.' This type of opening is so intriguing because it defies our normal understanding of the aging process. It makes the reader eager to find out more about this man, how such a thing is possible, and what his story will be. It creates a sense of mystery right from the start, which is a key element in a good short story opening.
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.
One of the best opening lines is 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'. This line immediately sets an off - kilter mood, making the reader wonder about this strange world where the clocks are behaving differently than expected. It draws you in, making you curious about what kind of place this is and what's going to happen next.
The line 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' from 'The Great Gatsby' is also excellent. It gives a sense of the narrator reflecting on something important from the past. It draws the reader in as we want to know what that advice was and how it has influenced the narrator.