An opening scene of a great battle between good and evil that has been going on for centuries. But this time, something unusual is about to happen. Maybe a secret weapon is about to be unleashed, or a new, unknown force is joining the fray. It sets the stage for an epic story and makes readers eager to know more.
A mysterious ancient prophecy can be a great hook. For example, a prophecy that foretells the rise of a hero from an unexpected place, like a humble farm boy who will defeat an all - powerful dark lord. It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder how this will come to pass.
One great hook could be a mysterious object with unknown powers. For example, a glowing crystal that no one can touch without being sent into a trance. Another hook might be a prophecy about a hero who will save the world from an ancient evil, but no one knows who the hero is. Also, starting with a character waking up in an unfamiliar and magical land can be a strong hook.
A strong character in a strange situation can be a great hook. For example, a detective who has a phobia of the dark but has to solve a murder that always occurs at night. It immediately grabs the reader's attention as they wonder how the character will overcome their fear to do their job.
A mysterious event or a strange noise can be a good hook. For example, starting a story with 'In the dead of night, a shrill scream pierced through the silence.' It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what's going on.
Starting with a character in a dangerous or exciting situation is also great. Say, a hiker lost in a dense forest at night, hearing strange noises. This hooks the reader as they want to know if the hiker will survive and what is making those noises.
An unexpected event at the very beginning is also a good hook. Such as a character suddenly finding themselves in a completely different world without any prior warning. This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder how the character got there and what will happen next.
Beginning with a thought - provoking question can also be a good hook. Such as 'What if you woke up one day and found out that the world you knew was just a simulation?' It forces the reader to start thinking about this wild concept and draws them into the story to find out if there's an answer or exploration of this question within the narrative.
A mystery or a riddle can be a great hook. For example, starting a story with 'The door was ajar, and a strange sound was coming from inside. What could it be?' It immediately makes the reader curious. Another one could be a shocking statement like 'She woke up to find herself in a world where time had stopped.' This kind of hook grabs the reader's attention right away.
A mysterious letter arriving at the protagonist's doorstep can be a great hook. It immediately raises questions and draws the reader in.
A startling statement can be a great opening hook. For example, 'The world ended that day, but no one noticed at first.' It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what could possibly be meant by such a statement.
A sudden, unexplained noise in an empty house can be a great hook. For example, the creaking of a floorboard when the character knows they are alone. It immediately creates a sense of unease and mystery.