They often start with a sense of mystery. For instance, 'There was a strange package on my doorstep when I got home. No name, no address.' This makes the reader curious about what the package is and what it means for the story.
By setting a mood. Take 'The rain was pounding on the city streets like a million tiny hammers, and I was alone in my dimly - lit office waiting for the next case to walk through the door.' The description of the rain and the lonely office creates an atmosphere that makes the reader want to know more about the detective's situation.
By creating a sense of mystery. For example, 'The old clock in the attic started ticking again, after years of silence.' This makes the reader curious about why it started ticking.
Great opening lines often introduce an element of mystery or intrigue. For example, in 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy' with 'Far out in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the Galaxy lies a small unregarded yellow sun.' It makes you wonder about this strange, uncharted place.
The opening of 'Pulp Fiction' grabs the audience's attention through its unique dialogue. The characters talk in a way that's different from most movies, and it makes you want to listen more.
Another way is by setting an unusual scene. In 'Slaughterhouse - Five' by Kurt Vonnegut, the opening 'All this happened, more or less.' gives a sense of ambiguity right away. It makes the reader question what 'this' is and how it happened'more or less'. It's a unique way to start a story that is full of time - jumps and surreal elements.
By creating a sense of mystery. For example, 'The door to the attic creaked open, and a strange smell wafted out.'
By being mysterious. For example, 'Is it here?' 'I'm not sure, but something's different.' This makes the reader wonder what 'it' is and what's different, thus grabbing their attention.
Start with a gripping opening scene. It could be a high-stakes situation, a mystery, or a surprising event that makes readers want to know more.
One effective way is to start with a captivating hook - a surprising statement, a thrilling scene, or a mystery. It instantly grabs the reader's interest and makes them want to know more.
One way is to start with an interesting or mysterious statement. For example, 'The door creaked open, and a cold wind rushed in, but no one was there.' This immediately makes the reader wonder what's going on.
Some opening lines use shock value. Like 'All this happened, more or less.' from Kurt Vonnegut's 'Slaughterhouse - Five'. It's a rather nonchalant way to start a story that is about the horrors of war, and this contrast between the casual tone and the serious subject matter grabs the reader's attention.