You can also start with a sad event from the past that still haunts the character. 'Every time she passed by that old oak tree, memories of that fateful day flooded back. The day her world had turned upside down and nothing had been the same since.' This immediately creates a melancholic mood as it shows that the character is still affected by a past tragedy, and the reader wants to find out what exactly that event was.
Beginning with a time marker can work well. 'In the year 2099, the world was a very different place.' Another option is to start with a sense of foreboding. 'There was a heaviness in the air that morning, a sign that something bad was going to happen.' Also, starting with a character's dream can be engaging. 'He dreamed of flying, his arms outstretched as he soared above the city.'
One way is to begin with a description of a lonely place, like 'In the desolate cemetery, the cold wind blew through the withered grass as the old tombstones stood in solemn silence.'
A sudden and unexplained disappearance can start a horror story well. 'When I woke up, my sister was gone. Her bed was empty, and there was no sign of her in the house. Only her favorite doll, with its eyes that seemed to follow me, was left.'
For young audiences, starting with a cute animal character is a great option. Like 'There was a little bunny named Benny who lived in a cozy burrow.' It appeals to their love for animals. Another way is to start with a magical element. 'In a far - away land, there was a magic tree that grew cookies.' This sparks their imagination. You can also start with a simple moral lesson right at the start. 'Once upon a time, there was a boy who learned that sharing was always better than keeping things to himself.'
Start with a sense of foreboding. For instance, 'All day, a dark cloud had hung over the town, and as night fell, the feeling of impending doom grew stronger.'
A good starting point for beginners could be to begin with a feeling. 'A sense of unease filled the air as she walked down the empty street.' This helps to create an atmosphere right from the start. Also, starting with a little mystery is great. 'The old box in the attic had been there for years, but today it seemed to be calling to her.' It makes the reader curious about what's in the box and what will happen next.
Start with a sense of foreboding. Just say something like 'He knew something was wrong the moment he stepped into the forest. The air was thick with an unspoken dread.' This makes the reader wonder what's going to happen next.
You can start a children's story with a big adventure. 'Tom set off on a journey to find the lost treasure.' This will excite kids. Starting with a cute little joke also works. 'Why did the chicken cross the playground? To get to the other slide! And that's how our story begins.' And beginning with a colorful and detailed setting like 'In a land filled with rainbow - colored trees and talking flowers...' is a wonderful start for children's stories.
One way is to begin with a loss. For example, 'The day he left, the sun never seemed to shine again.'
One great way is to start with a vivid description. For example, 'The sun was a blazing ball of fire in the sky, casting long, menacing shadows across the desolate landscape.' This immediately sets the scene and draws the reader in.