To start a good story, think about what makes you curious. Use that as your starting point. Maybe it's a strange encounter, a hidden secret, or a big question. Make sure to set the tone and mood clearly from the beginning.
Think of a unique and engaging idea that grabs the reader's attention right from the beginning. Maybe it's a mystery, a thrilling adventure, or a heartwarming moment.
Starting with a thought - provoking question can be great. Like 'Have you ever wondered what it would be like to wake up in a world where everyone had forgotten your name?' This makes the reader start thinking and gets them engaged in the story right away.
A mysterious setting can be a good start for a story. For example, a dark and foggy forest where strange noises come from the thick bushes. It immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what could be lurking there.
One good way is to start with a question. For example, 'Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world without colors?' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them curious to find out more. Another way is to begin with an interesting statement like 'The day the world stopped spinning was like no other.' It creates a sense of mystery. Also, starting with a character in an unexpected situation can be great, such as 'She woke up in a strange place, surrounded by people she didn't know.'
Begin with a mysterious character. For example, a veiled figure that appears out of nowhere in a fog - covered graveyard. This character can be the source of the gothic elements to come, such as dark secrets or a connection to the supernatural. It creates an air of mystery right from the start that draws the reader in.
First, introduce interesting characters. If your good start is a mysterious event, bring in characters who are affected by it in different ways. For example, if it's a strange object that has appeared, you can have a curious scientist, a skeptical journalist, and a superstitious local. Second, add conflict. Maybe the characters have different ideas about what to do with the object. The scientist wants to study it, the journalist wants to expose it, and the local wants to get rid of it. Third, develop the setting. If the story starts in a small town, describe the unique features of the town that could play a role in the story, like an old abandoned factory or a haunted forest.
A strange dream can be a good start for a story. The dream could be filled with symbols and surreal elements that the protagonist doesn't understand. As the story progresses, the events in the dream could start to parallel or foreshadow real - life events. This gives the story an air of mystery and makes the reader wonder about the significance of the dream.
Starting with the loss of a loved one can be very effective. You could write, 'She was sitting alone in the empty house, the silence echoing the absence of her mother who had passed away just a week ago. Every corner of the house held memories of her, and now those memories were all that was left.' This immediately sets a sad tone as the main character is dealing with a great loss.