Can you give more examples of good opening lines to a story?
An example could be 'As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the prairie, he knew his journey was about to begin.' This line uses the setting of the sun setting and the long shadows to signify a new beginning. It gives a sense of adventure as the character is about to embark on a journey, and the reader is likely to be interested in following along.
Here's another one: 'She found the letter in the attic, yellowed with age and filled with secrets she never knew existed.' This opening line starts with an object (the letter) that is likely to be central to the story. The fact that it's old and has secrets makes the reader want to know more about it and how it will impact the character.
Can you give more good opening lines for a story?
Sure. 'The moment he stepped into the forest, he felt as if he had entered another realm.' This line gives a feeling of adventure and the unknown. It makes the reader eager to find out what this other realm is like and what will happen to the character in it.
Can you give more examples of the best opening lines of fiction?
The opening of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This line creates a sense of reflection and mystery. We wonder what the advice was and why it has stayed with the narrator for so long. It also gives a bit of a personal touch to the story from the very beginning.
Can you give more examples of the best opening lines to novels?
Another good one is 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' from Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice'. This line not only gives an insight into the society of the time where marriage was a big deal for financial and social reasons but also makes the reader interested in seeing how this idea will play out in the story.
Can you give more examples of the best opening lines in a novel?
Another example is from 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald. 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This opening makes the reader curious about what that advice was. It also gives an impression of the narrator reflecting on his past, which is central to the story of Jay Gatsby and the narrator's relationship with him. The line has a certain elegance and a touch of mystery.
Can you give more examples of the best opening lines from a novel?
Sure. The opening of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald: 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. "Whenever you feel like criticizing any one," he told me, "just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."' This line gives us an insight into the narrator's character and sets up the themes of class and judgment.
Can you give more examples of great opening lines in English fiction?
The opening of 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger, 'If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth.' This line gives us a very clear sense of the narrator's voice - a bit cynical and reluctant to conform to the usual storytelling norms, which is very characteristic of the whole novel.
Can you give me more good opening lines for a short story?
Sure. 'The moment the train stopped, she knew her life was about to change.' This line creates suspense as the reader wonders why the train stopping would have such a big impact on her life. It makes them eager to find out what's going to happen next.
Can you give me more good opening lines for a novel?
Another one could be 'The letter arrived on a Tuesday, a simple envelope that held the power to change everything.' The mention of a simple letter having the power to change everything is very alluring. It makes the reader want to know what's in the letter, who it's for, and how it will cause such a big change.
Can you give me more good opening lines for stories?
Here's another one: 'The moment he saw the strange object in the sky, he knew his life would never be the same.' This opening is great for science - fiction or fantasy stories. It immediately grabs the reader's attention by introducing an element of the unknown and the potential for life - changing events. It also makes the reader wonder what the strange object is and what will happen next.
Can you give me more good opening lines for stories?
Here's one: 'She opened the door and stepped into a world she never knew existed.' This line is exciting because it sets up a journey of discovery. The reader wants to know more about this new world, what it looks like, and how she will react to it. It also implies that there is a big change coming for the character, which is a common and engaging story element.