Just take a story starter and run with it. Suppose the starter is 'Santa's reindeer landed in an unexpected place'. You could describe that place as a modern city center. The reindeer are confused and the people are shocked at first. But then the elves that came with the reindeer start to show the city - dwellers some Christmas magic. They make small gifts appear out of thin air and sing Christmas carols. This unexpected encounter spreads Christmas cheer in a new and different way.
One way is to change the perspective. If the story starter is about a Christmas party, instead of focusing on the guests, focus on the food or the decorations. Maybe the Christmas cookies are secretly alive and they're having their own little party while the humans are busy. Another way is to add a mystery element. For example, if the starter is about a Christmas gift, make it a mystery gift that has a special power or a secret message.
Once upon a time. It's a classic starter that immediately sets a story - telling mood and makes the audience expect a fairy - tale - like story. It's simple yet effective in grabbing attention.
One classic sentence starter could be 'In the dead of night, a strange noise echoed through the empty house.' It immediately sets a spooky mood as the 'dead of night' implies a time when most people are asleep and vulnerable, and a strange noise in an empty house is often associated with something sinister.
A classic story starter is finding a mysterious letter or package on your doorstep. It immediately raises questions and creates intrigue. Maybe it leads to a hidden treasure or a dangerous secret.
One way to come up with creative story starters is to think about unique settings or locations. For example, a story that begins in a hidden underwater city or on a distant planet can immediately draw readers in.
A great starting sentence for a story might be 'The day began like any other, but little did I know...'. It creates a sense of normalcy at first and then hints at something unexpected to come. This type of start draws the reader in as they want to find out what that 'little did I know' part is all about.