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.
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.
One of the best starting lines is from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...' This line immediately sets a tone of contrast and complexity, drawing the reader into a world full of duality. Another great one 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.' It's a line that humorously and cleverly reveals the social attitudes of the time. And from '1984' by George Orwell: 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' This opening is so effective as it creates a sense of unease and a world that is not quite right from the very start.
Yes, it can be. It grabs the reader's attention right away. If the end is something shocking like a murder, starting from there makes the reader curious about what led to it.
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.
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.
Well, 'Once upon a time, long ago when magic still filled the air, a wizard emerged from his hidden tower.' This opening gives a touch of magic and mystery. Also, 'Once upon a time, a family of talking animals made their home in a cozy burrow at the edge of a meadow.' It's a bit more light - hearted and different from the usual human - centered stories. And 'Once upon a time, a lonely traveler found himself in a strange town filled with secrets.' It makes the reader curious about what those secrets are.
Well, first, you need to understand the mood and theme set by the first lines. Then, think about the characters that could fit into this beginning. For example, if the first line is 'In a dark alley, a figure moved stealthily', you could introduce a detective or a thief as the main character. Next, consider the setting in more detail. Is it a modern city or a fantasy world? Based on that, start building the plot. Maybe there's a mystery to solve or a goal for the character to achieve. You can also add some conflict, like an enemy or an obstacle in the character's way.