so it's automatic dramatic tension for the rest of the hook to resolve. even in something like a |6m|4|1|5|, i feel like the 6m is forlorn and the 4 is what injects hope into it (noticing the top of the mountain).  the downside is i feel it's making my ideas sound too similar. like i'm making different versions of the same song each time. i would still like to make something you can dance and sing along to, and still have that dramatic tension
 , but what is another good way to do it without starting on the 4? do i just need to wait for my taste in melodies to change?
rearrange the whole situation. change something even more drastic so you never have to be in that situation. Also it sounds like it's probably time for you to launch into an in-depth study of every popular song you can think of. you'll hear a lot of 4 based things, but you'll also find some other crucial things