good non cliche ways to start a story

A common cliche to start a fantasy novel is with a dream sequence. The protagonist might be dreaming of a far - off, magical place or an impending danger, like 'Aria dreamed of a floating castle in the sky, surrounded by dark clouds that seemed to be alive. She could feel the danger lurking within those clouds, even in her sleep.' Also, starting with a discovery of a strange object can be a cliche. 'Luna found a small, glowing orb in the attic of her old house. As she picked it up, a shiver ran down her spine, and she knew her life was about to change forever.' Beginning with a dark, stormy night where something mysterious is about to happen is another. 'On that dark, stormy night, as the wind howled through the trees, a figure emerged from the mist at the edge of the forest.'

To write good non-cliche stories, start by observing the world around you. Notice the little details and the unusual. Then, let your imagination run wild and combine those observations in unexpected ways. And don't be afraid to challenge the norms of storytelling.

One way is to start with a completely unique setting. Instead of the typical small village or enchanted forest, consider a world built on floating islands or a city inside a giant, living creature. For example, begin with 'The city of Glow, nestled within the belly of the great, slumbering behemoth, was a place of constant motion and strange noises.' Another approach is to start with an action that is unexpected. Not a journey or a discovery, but something like 'The assassin's blade found its mark before anyone could even blink, and the world of politics in the magical realm was about to be turned upside down.' Also, avoid prophecies and focus on character relationships first. Start with a conversation between two characters that reveals a complex relationship, like 'As they sat across from each other at the rickety table, their eyes locked in a battle of wills. The old thief and the young detective had a history that no one else knew about, and it was about to unfold in a world full of magic and mystery.'

Well, in many stories, the 'shared trauma' is a cliche way. When two people go through a difficult experience together, like surviving a natural disaster or a difficult journey. It brings them closer and they fall in love. Also, the 'arranged situation' is often used. For example, they are paired up for a project at work or school and end up falling for each other. And then there's the 'long - time friends who suddenly realize their love' cliche. They've been friends for ages and then one day, boom, they see each other in a new light.

Well, start by avoiding the typical tropes. Make your characters complex and their relationship develop in unique ways. Don't rely on predictable meet-cutes or grand gestures.