You could start with a startling statement. Like 'She died that day, but it was the beginning of something far more strange.' It shocks the reader and makes them eager to know what could be more strange than death.
A good way could be starting with a character's strange feeling. 'As she walked into the empty school building, an unexplainable chill ran down her spine. It was as if she was being watched, but there was no one in sight.' This creates a sense of unease.
One way is to start with a character's internal monologue. For instance, 'I always knew this day would come, but I never expected it to feel like this.' It gives an immediate insight into the character's thoughts and feelings, and the reader can start to form a connection with the character from the very beginning. This can also set up the conflict or the journey that the character is about to embark on.
Yes. You can start with a flashback. For example, 'As he sat in the empty room, he remembered the day his mother left.' This adds depth to the story from the start. Another way is to start with a symbol. 'The red rose in the vase was the only splash of color in the drab room.' It gives the reader something to think about. Starting with a contradiction can also be interesting. 'He was a rich man, but he had nothing.'
You can start with a statement that sets the stakes high. For instance, 'In that war - torn land, every second counted, and a single misstep could mean death for all of us.' It makes the reader understand the gravity of the situation right from the start.
You could start with a thought-provoking question. Like, 'What if the world stopped spinning? How would we survive?' This gets the reader thinking and interested in seeing where the story will go with this concept.
Beginners can start a story by using a time reference. 'In the year 2050, the world had changed a great deal.' It gives a context of time. Starting with a small moment of conflict is also effective. 'The siblings argued over who would get the last piece of cake.' Another option is to start with a place. 'On the small island, there was a hidden cave, and that's where our story begins.' This helps to set the location which is important in a story.
A random act of kindness can also be the start. If one person helps the other out of a difficult situation, like helping someone carry their groceries when they drop them. There's an instant feeling of gratitude, and from there, a conversation might start. This kindness can be the spark that ignites the love story as it shows the good nature of one person towards the other.
Open with a dialogue that hints at something fantastical. Two characters could be talking in hushed tones about a 'portal that only opens on a full moon'. This immediately makes the reader curious about what this portal is and where it leads. Another way is to start with a feeling of being lost. The main character could find themselves in a place that looks familiar but is somehow different, like a town where all the buildings are made of ice, but they were just in a normal, warm town a moment ago.
Start with an interesting encounter that led to the vacation. 'I met a stranger on the bus who told me about this amazing place he had visited. His description was so vivid that I immediately booked a trip there, and that's how my vacation story begins.'
A story could also start with a question, like 'Have you ever felt like you were in the wrong place at the wrong time?' This makes the reader think about their own experiences and then they will be eager to see how the story relates to that feeling. It creates a connection between the reader and the story right from the get - go.