hooks for sad stories

A sudden loss, like the death of a beloved pet. It immediately grabs the reader's heart and makes them empathetic.

One hook could be starting with a lonely figure in a desolate place, like 'In the empty park, a single silhouette sat on the bench as the cold wind whipped around.'

They can also engage the reader by setting a mood of melancholy. Let's say the hook is about a dark and stormy night with a figure walking alone in the rain. This not only gives a visual but also an emotional cue of sadness. The reader is drawn in to find out what this forlorn figure is going through and what led them to be out in such a dismal situation. It makes the reader curious about the backstory and what will happen next, thus engaging them in the story.

Highlight a moment of great disappointment. You could write 'He had waited all his life for this moment, but when it came, it was like a cold, bitter wind that blew away all his hopes.' This kind of hook makes the reader feel the character's pain and want to know more about the situation that led to such disappointment.

A great hook could be a mystery or a question. For example, starting a story with 'The door was ajar, and a strange noise was coming from inside.' This makes the reader wonder what's behind the door and what's causing the noise. It immediately grabs their attention.

Another great hook story might involve a mysterious character. Say there's a man who always wears a long black coat and a hat that covers his face. He shows up in a small town at odd hours and no one knows where he comes from or what he does. This mystery hooks the reader as they want to find out more about this enigmatic person.

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.

An unusual object or symbol that keeps popping up can be a good hook too. Say, a strange amulet is found at every crime scene. This mystery surrounding the amulet will intrigue readers and make them eager to find out its significance in the story.

A mysterious statement or question can serve as a good hook. Such as 'The door was ajar, and what lay beyond it was something no one could have ever imagined.' This makes the reader curious and eager to find out what's behind the door.

A chance encounter in an unexpected place can be a great hook. For example, two people meet during a sudden rainstorm while seeking shelter under the same small awning. It immediately creates a sense of shared experience and a bit of mystery as they look at each other for the first time.