Begin with a question. 'What if you could see the future?' This makes the reader start thinking and engages them right away. They become curious about how the story will answer this question. It also gives the writer the opportunity to explore different possibilities within the story. And as the story unfolds, the reader is looking for the answer to that initial question.
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.
Start with an action that is in the middle of something exciting. For example, 'She ran as fast as she could, the sound of the sirens getting closer.' This creates a sense of urgency and makes the reader wonder why she is running and what she has done or what is chasing her. It throws the reader right into the action and makes it hard for them to put the story down as they want to know what will happen next.
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.
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.
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.'
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.
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 dialogue. Like '"I'm not going in there," he said, his voice trembling.' It gives an immediate sense of character and situation.
Starting a love story during a time of self - discovery can be powerful. Let's say one person is traveling alone to find themselves and meets another traveler at a hostel. They start sharing their life stories, dreams, and fears. It's a deep and meaningful start as they are in a vulnerable state. Also, starting with a shared problem like they both get stuck in an elevator and have to rely on each other to get through the situation. It builds a sense of trust and dependence right from the start.
You can open with a battle scene. 'Cannons roared and muskets fired. The pirate ship, the Sea Devil, was engaged in a fierce battle with a merchant vessel. The pirates, led by the ruthless Captain Red, were determined to take the valuable cargo on board the merchant ship. Blood splattered on the decks as the two ships grappled, and this was just the start of a wild adventure that would change the lives of all involved.'
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.
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.'