While I may have a problem with finishing stories, I have very few issues with starting them. The excitement and motivation that comes with piecing together a plot and populating a world with people and places will always have a certain allure to me, and it is part of the reason why I’ve never really feared the blank page. For me, starting a story, novel, or any piece of writing is the easier part.
I draw out a plan, make some changes, scrap it all and start again, and then I sit down to write. Then there’s a hurdle as soon as I decide to start. It’s not news that a first line should hook a reader, but you’ve also got to keep them interested in the entire first scene/sequence. To do that, there is a lot to contend with. Have I made the correct choice in starting like this? Is this the best way to introduce a reader to this world, this story, or its characters? Maybe, maybe not. The right choice is rarely the same; the best way to start can depend on the story’s point of view, tone, plot, and even genre.
To help myself and others when we get stuck or need a suggestion to help us come to a decision, I’ve compiled a list of 6 ways you can start your story:
1. Start with Action
Starting with action is a strong way to begin, especially if it matches the tone of your story. Whether paving the way for an action-packed plot or setting up an event that changes the usual course of a character’s life or an entire setting, an interesting event can be a great way to get your reader hooked from the jump, especially if the action is a little ambiguous, or introduces some early stakes.
Using this method, your story could start with anything from a murder or car chase to a phone call or conversation, if it sets some kind of motion in place. Rather than introduce a place or people first, what you are doing is introducing the story through a problem or event, keeping the pace high whilst setting up your world.
2. Describe the Setting
Not every story needs to start with a bang. Beginning with a description of the setting can be very useful in grounding your readers, especially in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy Genres. If there is a lot of world-building to be done, starting with a description of an important setting in your story is a great way to show your reader what to expect. The stage for your events is just as important as the events themselves, which is why this is also a great way to start in any genre.
Describing a city, a room, a building, an area, or any place that might be important to a character or your story can create a much-needed atmosphere to pull your readers from their world into the one you are writing about. When using this method, however, it’s crucial not to focus only on describing what is there in a factual manner, being too direct, or over-explaining, unless this is necessary for your tone or voice. Showing and not telling at the right time is always important in writing, but never more important than at the beginning.
3. Ask a Question
You can either ask a very explicit question in your opening, with a character/narrator wondering something, or you can ask an implicit question. Starting with an explicit question is self-explanatory, but you can decide whether you want this question to be answered throughout the entire story, or if this question is just an introductory one, that will lead to more questions and the search for more answers.
With an implicit question, you’ll be starting the story ambiguously, in a way that makes the reader wonder what’s happening here? In a good way. You don’t want your reader confused unless it’s intentional. You want them intrigued. The best thing (or worse depending on your preference) about starting this way is that it leaves a lot of room to start your story any way you like, as long as you set up some kind of mystery that needs to be solved.
4. Begin with Dialogue
People often advise against starting with dialogue, since the reader will lack any connection to your characters, but if it’s done well, you can give readers a good sense of your character’s personality and set up the story with just one well-written line.
If you choose to start with dialogue, it should be engaging, important, and drive your story forward. All dialogue should technically do this, but it’s crucial that if you choose to begin your story with dialogue, you pick the right place in the conversation to drop in on, the right character to speak, and the right topic.
5. Establish Voice or Tone
Whether you’re working with a narrator or first-person P.O.V., it’s a great idea to start your story by establishing their personality, which is a large part of what will determine the voice or tone of your writing. To do this, you might begin with the character or narrator introducing themselves, discussing something important to them, revealing their motivations, or even directly revealing what might happen in the story ahead before they tell it.
However you choose to do it, starting with a little background on your narrating character can entice people to read on if you treat it like a mystery, revealing things little by little as opposed to a profile, which would just give everything away without the reader having to work for it.
6. Use a Prologue
A prologue, which is a piece of writing that appears before the first chapter or the beginning of a story, will often prepare the reader for what lies ahead. It can be written from a different point of view to the rest of the story that follows to allow for more separation. The main use of a prologue is to introduce the main characters, drop hints or occasionally be very clear about what might happen in the story ahead. Often, a prologue can feel a little ambiguous until the whole story has been read, which is useful in getting the reader interested.
Ultimately, whichever method you choose should be engaging and informative while not giving too much away. If you’re too vague, your reader will be left feeling confused, but if you answer too many questions at once, there will be no need to keep reading. It’s important to know what options are available to you so that you can make an informed decision when starting your story, one that will make a great set-up for the work ahead!
What’s your favourite way to start a story?
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