Another way is to start with a vivid description of a setting. Make it so detailed and unique that readers feel like they're right there. Say, a magical forest or a busy city street at dawn.
One way to start a short story is by creating an interesting character and introducing them in a compelling situation. For example, a detective might be called to a crime scene in the middle of the night.
Beginning a novel can involve starting with a prologue that sets the stage for the story. Or, you might start in the middle of an action sequence to immediately draw the reader in. It all depends on the genre and the tone you want to set.
One word is 'novelty', meaning the state or quality of being new or unusual. Another is 'novella', which is a short fictional prose narrative. And 'novelist', someone who writes novels.
There were many ways to introduce the background, setting, and characters at the beginning of the story to make the reader interested in the story and read deeper. Here are some common ways to start a story:
1. Sudden event: Draw out the background of the story and the identity of the protagonist through a sudden event. For example, the protagonist discovers that he has become a mutant in an accident.
2. Character introduction: By introducing the background and personality of the protagonist or villain, the story plot and conflicts are introduced. For example," He is a ruthless killer and a philanthropist."
3. Draw out the main theme: Draw out the main theme or idea of the story through a short description to make the reader resonate with the story. For example," On a trip, the protagonist discovered the softness in his heart."
4. Setting up suspense: By setting up a suspense, the readers will have expectations for the future development of the story. For example,"Where is the protagonist's treasure?" "What amazing endings will this story have?"
5. Description of the environment or atmosphere: Create the background and atmosphere of the story through the description of the environment or atmosphere. For example, the protagonist embarked on a journey to find treasure in a barren desert.
The beginning of the story needed to attract the reader's interest and highlight the theme and idea of the story. Different ways of opening a book could give the reader a different reading experience, so it needed to be used flexibly.
To begin a short story, think of a unique opening line that grabs attention. Or start by describing a vivid place or moment. You want to make the reader curious and eager to keep reading.
You could begin by creating an exciting opening scene. Maybe it's a big action moment or a strange encounter. Then, introduce the main character and hint at what challenges they'll face.
You could begin with a mysterious sound or a strange shadow. Build suspense from the get-go. Maybe something like 'The wind howled through the old, creaking windows of the abandoned mansion, and a shadow danced eerily on the wall.' That gets the readers' hearts pumping.