One way is to start with a unique setting. For example, 'On a floating island, where the ground beneath your feet was not soil but a soft, cloud - like substance, a young wizard named Thaddeus began his day.' This kind of setting is not something we see in the real world and grabs the reader's attention right away.
Another approach is to introduce a mystery from the start. 'In a world where time seemed to flow backwards on every third full moon, a group of adventurers received a cryptic message. The message was scrawled on a parchment that glowed with an unearthly light. They knew it was a call to action, but they didn't understand what it meant.' This kind of mystery draws the reader in as they want to find out the meaning behind the strange phenomenon and the message.
You can also begin with a character in a perilous or strange situation. Let's say, 'Luna, a fearless knight, woke up in a dungeon filled with strange, tentacled creatures. She had no memory of how she got there, but she knew she had to fight her way out.' This immediately creates tension and makes the reader want to know what will happen next. A good opening for a fantasy story should make the reader curious about the world and the characters, and this does just that.
You need to start with an interesting hook that grabs the reader's attention right away. Maybe a mystery, a thrilling action scene, or a unique character introduction.
Use vivid descriptions. For example, 'The old house stood there, its windows like empty eyes staring into the abyss.' This paints a picture in the reader's mind and draws them in.
Begin with a local legend. You can open with something like 'In this small town, there was a legend that every hundred years, a ghost would appear in the old church at midnight.' This immediately gives the story a sense of history and mystery. The readers are intrigued to find out if the legend is true and what the ghost is all about.
Use vivid descriptions. Describe the fantastical elements in detail. If your story has a dragon, don't just say 'There was a dragon.' Say something like 'A dragon, its scales glistening like emeralds in the sun, soared through the sky, its wings creating a thunderous roar as they flapped.' This will capture the reader's attention.
Another way is to set an unusual mood. 'The air was thick with a strange silence, as if the world was holding its breath.' This kind of opening creates an atmosphere that intrigues the reader and makes them want to keep reading to find out what's causing this strange mood.
You can start with a vivid description of a strange location. For instance, 'The city of Silverpeak was built on the edge of a bottomless chasm. Its spires reached towards the sky, defying gravity, and its streets were paved with crystals that glowed with an inner light.'
Begin with a strange occurrence. 'The clock in the hallway stopped at exactly midnight. And at that very moment, I saw a shadowy figure pass by the door. But when I looked again, there was nothing there.' This kind of opening hooks the reader because it presents something that defies normal explanation and makes them curious to find out more about the figure and the stopped clock.
Use strong imagery. For instance, 'The sky was on fire, the red and orange hues swallowing the city below.' This paints a vivid picture in the reader's mind and grabs their attention right away.
One way is to start with a strong action. For instance, a character running for their life through a dense forest, with branches whipping at their face. This action - oriented opening gets the reader's heart pumping and makes them want to know why the character is in such a perilous situation.
Set a mood. You could describe a spooky old house on a dark and foggy night. The creaking of the floorboards, the howling wind outside. This kind of description draws the reader into the atmosphere and makes them eager to explore what's inside the house.