best first lines in short stories

For example, 'She opened the box, not knowing it would change her life forever. Inside was a simple note, but the words written on it were like a key unlocking a hidden world. The note said 'Follow the path where the sun never sets.' So, she set out on a journey. Along the way, she met strange characters, some helpful, some menacing. But she was determined to find the end of this path, and with each step, she discovered more about herself and the world around her.'

Well, they often present something unexpected. For example, a first line like 'She woke up one morning and found she had become invisible.' It makes you want to know how and why. It creates an instant mystery.

Some famous first lines immediately draw readers in. For example, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'. This line sets an unusual and slightly off - putting atmosphere right from the start, making the reader curious about what kind of world this is where the clocks strike thirteen. It gives a sense of a world that is different from our own, perhaps dystopian.

Some famous first lines in short stories are very captivating. For example, in Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Cask of Amontillado', the first line 'The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could' immediately sets a tone of vengeance and mystery. It makes the reader wonder what these 'injuries' are and what the narrator is planning.

One great first line is 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'. It immediately sets an off - kilter mood. The idea of clocks striking thirteen is strange and makes the reader wonder what kind of world this is.

The best first lines often set a mood or introduce a mystery. For instance, if the first line is 'In the middle of the night, a strange noise woke her up.' It immediately makes the reader wonder what the noise is. You can build on this by having the character investigate. Maybe she finds something unexpected in her attic, like a hidden door. This then leads to more discoveries and the story unfolds from there.

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.

In 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson, it starts with 'The morning of June 27th was clear and sunny, with the fresh warmth of a full - summer day; the flowers were blossoming profusely and the grass was richly green.' This seemingly idyllic description is a contrast to the dark and disturbing events that unfold later in the story. It gives a false sense of normalcy at the beginning.

They are often attention - grabbing. A good first line makes the reader want to keep reading. For instance, if it starts with a strange or mysterious statement.

Well, consider 'She found the letter on a sunny Tuesday morning, but it felt like a cold winter day.' This first line is interesting because it juxtaposes the pleasant day with the cold feeling that the letter brings. It makes the reader curious about what's in the letter and why it has such an effect.