Out of nowhere.
Begin with a dialogue. For example, '“You can't be serious,” she said, her eyes wide with disbelief.' It makes the story feel immediate and alive. The reader is plunged right into the action and wants to know what the conversation is about.
One great way to start a story is with a captivating hook. It could be an interesting question, like 'Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a world without colors?' or a shocking statement such as 'The day the world ended, no one saw it coming.' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to read more.
One great way to start a story is with an interesting character in an unusual situation. For example, 'There was a man who woke up one morning to find his house had disappeared overnight.' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what will happen next.
One great way is to introduce a compelling character. Give details about them that make the reader curious about their journey and what will happen to them.
One great way to start a story is with an exciting or mysterious event that hooks the reader right away.
A great way to start an apocalypse story is with a sense of unease. For example, describe an ordinary day that has just a hint of something wrong. Maybe the main character notices that the birds are acting strangely or that there are a lot more sirens in the distance than usual. This small detail can pique the reader's curiosity and set the stage for the chaos to come.
Set the scene in a spooky, isolated place like an old, creaking mansion on a stormy night. For example, 'The wind howled outside the decaying mansion as the rain lashed against the broken windows, and I stepped inside, not knowing what horrors awaited me.'
One of the best ways to start a story is with an interesting character in an unusual situation. For example, 'The old man sat alone on the bench, his eyes fixed on a spot in the distance as if he was waiting for something that had been long overdue.' This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder who the old man is and what he's waiting for.
I don't think there is a universal best way. A good start for a historical fiction could be 'In the year 1812, as the war drums beat across the land...' which grounds the story in time and place. But for a contemporary coming - of - age story, you could start with a relatable teen moment like 'I was standing in the school hallway, my heart pounding as I waited for the results of the test.' Different stories require different beginnings to engage their intended audiences.