Another good one is 'Whispers'. 'Whispers filled the corridor, but no one could tell where they were coming from.' This word immediately creates an air of mystery and intrigue. It makes the reader think about who is whispering, what they are whispering about, and why it's important. It's a great way to start a mystery or a story with a hidden plot.
You can start with a mysterious voice or message. For instance, the main character could receive an anonymous letter with a strange riddle or a voice in their head that they can't explain. This creates intrigue and makes the reader curious to find out more. Another way is to start with a dream sequence that is both vivid and a bit foreboding. It can set the tone for the rest of the novel.
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.'
One example could be starting with a mysterious event, like 'In the dead of night, a strange figure emerged from the fog, leaving footprints that vanished as quickly as they were made.' It immediately grabs the reader's attention.
In a far - off land. This phrase creates a sense of mystery and distance. It makes the reader curious about this unknown place and what might be happening there. It could be a land full of magic, adventure or strange creatures.
I think words like 'Ultimately', 'First', or 'Initially' often work well to begin a sentence in fiction. It depends on the tone and style you want to set. For example, 'Ultimately' can create a sense of anticipation or a build-up to a conclusion.
Slack is a great example. It was founded by Stewart Butterfield. After the failure of a previous gaming project, they had some technology infrastructure left. They realized there was a need for better workplace communication tools. Slack started as a side project and then took off. It focused on simplicity and user - friendliness, which made it very popular among teams. It grew rapidly through word - of - mouth and effective onboarding of new users.
One common word that starts with 'novel' is 'novelty'. It refers to the quality of being new, original, or unusual.
'The City of Dreams' could be a great start. It's a story that takes place in a big, bustling city full of different kinds of people. The main character is a newcomer trying to make it big, and through his eyes, we see all the glories and the hardships of the city. There are a lot of themes like hope, friendship, and the pursuit of happiness that are explored in a very relatable way.
For a start, you could pick up 'The Cartographers' by Peng Shepherd. It has an interesting premise of a secret society of mapmakers. The mystery and adventure elements in it make it a page - turner.