great opening sentences for short stories

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Character is crucial. The opening might introduce a character directly or indirectly. You need to flesh them out. Also, the setting. If the opening says 'The old house on the hill was silent', you need to consider how the old house looks, smells, and feels. And the plot. You should think about where the story is going based on the opening. For example, in that old house, is there a hidden treasure or a ghost?

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.

Great first sentences can immediately hook the reader. For example, in a mystery short story, a first sentence like 'The body was found at dawn, face down in the rose bushes.' creates instant intrigue. It sets the tone, whether it's suspenseful, humorous, or sad. It also gives a hint about the story's direction, making the reader want to find out more.

A great first sentence could be 'The little girl skipped down the lane, her pigtails bouncing, unaware of the danger lurking around the corner.' Here, we get a vivid image of the character, her innocence, and a hint of impending trouble. Also, 'The door creaked open, and a cold wind swept in, carrying with it a sense of dread.' This sets a spooky mood right from the start.

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.