A good way to start a fantasy story is to introduce a unique and strange creature right at the start. Picture this: 'A small, furry creature with six legs and glowing eyes scurried across the moss - covered stones. It paused, sniffed the air, and then let out a high - pitched screech that echoed through the enchanted glade. The glade was known to be a place of magic, but this creature was something no one had ever seen before.' This immediately sets a fantastical tone and makes the reader eager to learn more about this strange new world and its inhabitants.
Start with a sudden, unexpected event. Like a magical explosion that shakes the peaceful village of the protagonist. 'A blinding flash of light erupted in the center of the village. The ground trembled as if in fear, and the villagers froze in shock. Then, from the heart of the explosion, a strange figure emerged, cloaked in a swirling mist of colors.'
Begin with a dialogue that hints at something mysterious or magical. For example, '“The key to the lost realm is hidden in plain sight,” the old man whispered to the young girl. “But only those with the purest of hearts can find it.” This kind of dialogue at the start creates intrigue. The reader wants to know what the lost realm is, what the key is, and why only those with a pure heart can find it. It also makes the reader curious about the relationship between the old man and the young girl.
One great way is to start with a vivid description of an otherworldly setting. For example, 'The mist - shrouded forest loomed ahead, its ancient trees twisted into strange shapes, their gnarled branches reaching out like skeletal hands. The air was thick with magic, and a strange, unearthly silence filled the space.'
A great start for a fantasy novel could be a sudden and unexpected event. Picture a city that is suddenly attacked by a horde of magical creatures no one has ever seen before. This kind of action - packed opening hooks the reader right away. You can then gradually introduce the world, the characters, and the rules of the fantasy realm as the story unfolds. Starting with a bang like this can make your novel very engaging from the very first page.
Beginning a story with a strong action can be very effective. For instance, 'He ran as fast as he could, the sound of the approaching storm driving him forward.' This creates immediate tension. Starting with a character's internal monologue is also good. 'I knew this day would come, but I still wasn't prepared,' he thought, his heart pounding. Or you could start with a startling statement like 'The dead man walked into the room.'
A great way to start is with a sudden and unexpected event. Such as a magical portal opening in the middle of a normal town square, sucking in an unsuspecting villager. This event shocks the reader and makes them want to know more about where the portal leads and what will happen to the villager.
Start with a powerful villain's evil scheme being revealed. It sets up an immediate sense of danger and urgency, pulling the readers into the story as they wonder how the heroes will stop the villain.
One way is to start with a mysterious setting. For example, describe a dark and enchanted forest filled with strange noises and glowing lights. It immediately draws the reader into a world full of mystery and the unknown.
A sudden, unexpected event can be a great start. For instance, 'The car screeched to a halt in the middle of the deserted road. There was no reason for it to stop, but it did, and now the driver was alone in the pitch - black night.' This kind of start shocks the reader and makes them eager to find out what will happen next.
Starting with a character's internal monologue can be very engaging. It allows the reader to get inside the character's head right away. For example, 'I couldn't believe what was happening. How did I end up in this mess?' You can also start with a hint of the story's climax. This creates suspense and makes the reader eager to know how the story gets there. Say something like 'In the end, it all came down to that one moment.'
Start with a character in distress. Maybe a young wizard has lost his powers due to a dark curse. His struggle to regain his powers can be the starting point. It allows the readers to feel empathy for the character right away and be interested in seeing how he overcomes his problem.
Beginning with an intriguing character in an unusual situation can be effective too. Say, a young girl wakes up in a world where all the colors are reversed. It makes the reader curious about who this girl is and what will happen to her in this strange place. Also, starting with a dialogue can be good. Like, '"Where are we?" he asked, his voice trembling as he looked around the desolate landscape.' It creates immediate tension and makes the reader want to know more about the speakers and their situation.