Another title could be 'The Lost Locket: Unraveling Family Secrets'. Suppose the best opening sentence was about a locket being found in an attic. This title not only includes the key element from the opening but also adds the intrigue of family secrets that the locket might hold, making the reader want to know more about how the secrets are related to the locket and what they are.
Another way is to think about the overarching theme. If the opening sentence is 'The first star of the night twinkled above the forest', you could create a title like 'The Star above the Forest: A Journey of Discovery'. The star is the key element from the opening, and 'A Journey of Discovery' implies that there's something to be found or learned in the forest under that star, which can be very appealing to readers as it creates a sense of adventure.
One could be 'The old house on the hill had always been there, like a silent sentinel over the town.'
One way is to expand on the characters introduced or hinted at in the opening sentence. Say the opening is 'She stood at the edge of the cliff, her hair whipping in the wind'. You can start by giving her a name, like Emily. Then, think about why she's there. Is she thinking about jumping? Or is she waiting for someone? As you build the story, keep the tone consistent with the opening. If it's a somber opening, don't suddenly make it a comedy. Add details about her past, her dreams, and how the situation at the cliff is going to change her life.
Here's another one: 'The door slammed shut behind her, and she knew she could never go back.' This opening sentence gives a sense of finality and a feeling of a new beginning. It makes the reader curious about the character, why she can't go back, and what lies ahead for her.
Let's say the first line is 'She woke up with a start, not knowing where she was'. A suitable title could be 'She woke up with a start: Lost and Alone'. When making a title from the first line, we try to capture the essence of the beginning and give a hint about what the reader can expect in the story. This helps to draw the reader in and make them want to find out more about what happens next.
A great opening sentence can also establish the pacing. A fast - paced opening such as 'The bullet whizzed past his ear, and he started to run.' sets a quick tempo. The reader expects the story to be action - filled and fast - moving. On the other hand, a more languid opening like 'The sun slowly dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and red.' can indicate a more reflective, slower - paced story.
One opening sentence could be 'In the dead of night, a strange scratching sound came from the attic.' A possible complete story: In the dead of night, a strange scratching sound came from the attic. I lived alone in that old house. Ignoring it at first, I tried to go back to sleep. But the scratching grew louder. I slowly made my way up the creaky stairs. When I opened the attic door, a pair of glowing eyes stared at me from the darkness. I quickly turned on the light, but there was nothing there. As I turned to leave, a cold hand grabbed my shoulder. I screamed but no one could hear me in that isolated place.
Use them to set the mood. For example, if your opening sentence is 'The storm raged outside, battering the windows of the small cottage.', it immediately creates a mood of danger and isolation.
Let's assume the 6 - sentence short story is: 'Once upon a time, there was a little girl. She found a magic key. She opened a hidden door. Inside was a wonderland. She made friends with the creatures there. And she lived happily ever after.' The complete story could be: In a small village, there lived a curious little girl named Lily. One day, while exploring an old attic, she stumbled upon a shiny magic key. It seemed to call out to her. She followed her instincts and searched for a lock it might fit. Eventually, she found a hidden door at the back of an old shed. With trembling hands, she inserted the key and turned it. The door creaked open, revealing a beautiful wonderland filled with talking animals and fairies. Lily was initially scared but soon warmed up to the friendly creatures. They taught her how to dance on the rainbow - colored meadows and sing with the birds. She decided to stay there, and from that day on, she lived a joyous life in this magical world.
One possible title could be 'The Mysterious Beginning: A Story'. If the first line gives a sense of mystery, this title can capture that essence.