Describe a small moment of kindness between two characters. Maybe an old man gives a piece of his meager food ration to a young boy. But then, as the scene unfolds, you start to reveal the harshness of the world around them. The fact that food is so scarce that this small act is a big deal. It shows the humanity that still exists in the dystopia but also the problems that are there, in a more nuanced way.
One great way is to introduce a world that seems ordinary at first glance but has some underlying unease. For example, start with a character going about their daily routine, like a young girl waking up in her small, cramped apartment. But then, as she looks out the window, she sees a large, ominous building that she's never really noticed before. This immediately sets a tone of mystery and the idea that there might be something not quite right in this world.
Use money in the context of relationships. For example, a character might be in a relationship where money is an unspoken source of tension. They don't talk about it directly, but it affects their interactions, like when one partner is constantly buying expensive gifts and the other feels pressured to reciprocate.
Start with a character who has an unusual memory lapse. For example, a character wakes up in a strange place and can't remember how they got there. They have no idea what they were doing before or who they might have been with. This is different from the typical mystery openings and makes the reader curious about what caused this memory loss and what secrets might be hidden in those lost memories.
Open with a conversation that is both deep and humorous. Maybe the two characters are at a party, but instead of the normal small talk, they start discussing their dreams and fears in a really funny and engaging way. It shows their connection on a different level right from the start and makes the start of the romance novel stand out.
Begin with an interesting character in a difficult situation. Say, a young wizard who wakes up one day to find his magic has vanished and he's in a land full of dark forces that he can no longer defend himself against. This hooks the reader as they want to know how the character will get out of the situation.
One of the best ways to start a novel is with a strong hook. For example, begin with an interesting dialogue that immediately grabs the reader's attention. Something like, 'I never thought I'd see the day when the sky turned green.' This kind of opening makes the reader wonder what's going on and compels them to keep reading.
A great way to start a crime novel is with a mysterious scene. For example, you could begin with a dead body being discovered in a strange place. It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what happened.
Beginning with a strange conversation can be a good start. For example, two people talking in code about something illegal. It makes the reader wonder what they're up to and what the crime will be.
No. It depends on the genre. For a mystery, starting with a strange occurrence like 'The body was found in the most unexpected place, a quiet library corner' works well. But for a romance, you might start with the meeting of two characters, 'Their eyes met across the crowded room, and in that instant, something sparked.'
Starting a novel with a strong character in an engaging situation can be very effective. Say you introduce a character on the run from something unknown. 'She sprinted down the alley, her heart pounding in her ears, not daring to look back.' It creates instant intrigue about the character and what they're fleeing from.