Here's another one: 'We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold' from Hunter S. Thompson's 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'. This opening is very vivid and immediately drops the reader into a strange and potentially wild situation, creating a lot of intrigue.
Sure. 'Call me Ishmael' from Herman Melville's 'Moby - Dick' is a very well - known opening quote. It's simple yet powerful, and it makes the reader want to know who Ishmael is and what his story is going to be.
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.
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.
Another is 'Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it.' This quote is a bit more profound. It implies that love is an intangible yet powerful force. Starting a love story with it can make the two people involved think about the mysterious and beautiful nature of love. It's like saying that their love might be something that they can't fully understand or explain, but they will surely feel it deeply.
One great quote to start a story could be 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from Charles Dickens' 'A Tale of Two Cities'. This sets a tone of contrast and complexity right from the start, making the reader wonder what good and bad things are about to unfold.
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 start with a prophecy or a curse. 'The old woman's words echoed in his mind. 'You will see the face of death before the moon is full.' He had laughed it off at first, but now, as the moon grew fatter in the sky, strange things began to happen around him.' This immediately plants a sense of dread and anticipation in the reader's mind. They will be curious to see how the prophecy unfolds and what the face of death might be.
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.'
You can start with a sudden and unexplained event. Like, 'The lights in the room flickered and then went out all at once. I heard a strange scratching noise coming from the wall.' It creates a sense of confusion and fear.
Sure. Starting a novel with action can be great. It could be a high - speed chase, a fight, or something more subtle like a heated argument. This gets the blood pumping right from the start. Another option is to start with a character's internal thoughts. If your main character is a troubled artist, you could start with their self - doubting thoughts as they stare at a blank canvas. It gives an insight into their personality.