good opening sentences for short stories

A great opening is 'In the middle of the night, a strange noise woke her up, a noise she had never heard before.' This creates mystery and makes the reader wonder what the noise is and what will happen next. It gives a sense of unease and anticipation right from the start.

One could be 'The old house on the hill had always been there, like a silent sentinel over the town.'

Sure. 'The wind howled through the empty streets, carrying with it a sense of foreboding.' It gives a spooky atmosphere and makes the reader curious about what's going on in those empty streets.

One could be 'In a world where the moon never set and the stars were portals to other realms, a young adventurer set out on a journey that would change everything.'

One could be 'The old house at the end of the lane loomed like a malevolent specter in the moonlight.'

One could be 'In a world full of chaos, his smile was the only thing that made sense to her from the very first glance.'

A novel with a moving plot often has a thrilling plot and vivid characters. One must have a deep understanding and accurate description of the character's inner world. A successful novel needs a fascinating plot and a thrilling plot twist. The characters in a novel should be three-dimensional. They have their own thoughts, emotions, and conflicts. A novel needs to have its own unique narrative perspective to let the readers feel the charm of the story from different angles. A successful novel needs to have a thrilling love line that makes the reader empathize with the protagonist's emotional entanglements. A novel needs to have a profound theme that allows the reader to gain a deeper understanding of life and society through thinking. A successful novel needs vivid language and a unique way of expression to let the readers enjoy the beauty of language and the charm of culture.

You could start with 'In the park, under the old oak tree, two boys sat side by side, sharing secrets. Their friendship was like a warm blanket on a cold day.' This opening paints a picture of the setting (the park under the oak tree) and uses a simile to describe the friendship as something warm and comforting. It gives a sense of closeness and intimacy between the two characters.

A great start might be 'With a map in one hand and a sense of wild excitement in her heart, Lily boarded the rickety old boat that would take her to uncharted islands.' Here, it immediately sets the scene of a character about to embark on an adventure. It gives a sense of the tools they have, like the map, and their emotional state, which is excitement. Also, the description of the boat as 'rickety' adds an element of risk and unpredictability, which are often associated with adventures.

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.