Using an unexpected statement. Like 'The cat talked, but only to her.' It's not a common occurrence for a cat to talk, and the fact that it only talks to one person is even more curious. So, this kind of first line makes the reader want to keep reading to find out more about this special cat and the girl it talks to.
First lines can hook the reader by setting an intense mood. Such as 'The gunshots echoed through the empty street.' The sudden violence and the emptiness of the street draw the reader in. They start to imagine the scene and want to know more about what's going on. What led to the gunshots? Who is involved? These are the questions that pop into the reader's mind. This is how a strong first line can really get the reader engaged in the short story.
They can also set an unusual mood. Take the line 'The fog crept in on little cat feet, but it brought a sense of dread with it.' The description of the fog combined with the sense of dread draws the reader in. They want to know more about this setting and what will happen because of this mood. Moreover, first lines that introduce a unique character can hook the reader. Like 'There was a girl who could see the future in her dreams, but she wished she couldn't.' This makes the reader interested in this girl's story, her powers, and her wish not to have them.
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.
A strong first line for a fantasy novel can hook the reader by creating a sense of wonder. For example, 'As the moon turned blood - red, a portal opened to a world of nightmares.' This makes the reader wonder what the moon turning red means and what's in that world of nightmares.
The first lines of short stories can hook readers by creating mystery. For example, 'It was a dark and stormy night.' This immediately sets an eerie mood and makes the reader wonder what will happen next. It grabs their attention and makes them want to keep reading to find out more.
By creating intrigue. For instance, 'The letter in her hand held a secret that could change her life and her relationship forever.' This makes the reader wonder what's in the letter and how it will impact her life. Simple as that.
They create mystery. For instance, a first line like 'She was found dead in the attic, but no one knew how she got there.' It makes the reader want to find out what happened. Mystery drives the reader to keep reading to solve the puzzle.
They also set the mood. If the first line has a dreamy or passionate tone, it gives the reader an idea of what kind of romance to expect. For example, a line like 'The first time he saw her, the world seemed to stop spinning.' immediately gives a sense of a powerful, instant attraction. This draws the reader in as they are eager to see how this intense feeling will develop. In addition, the first lines can introduce a conflict or an obstacle related to love right away. Such as 'She knew she could never love him, not with the secret she held in her heart.' This creates a sense of tension that makes the reader curious about how the characters will overcome this and find love.
They create mystery. Take 'All children, except one, grow up' from 'Peter Pan'. It makes you wonder which child didn't grow up and why. This mystery makes the reader keep reading to find out.
They create mystery. For example, an opening line like 'She found the letter on a Tuesday, but it was dated a century ago.' makes the reader wonder who she is, what the letter is about, and how it could be dated so long ago.
Personal stories hook readers by making them feel emotionally connected. When readers can relate or empathize, they get drawn in.