What are some more good ways to start a scifi story?

Starting with a character in an extraordinary situation is another great approach. Say a scientist wakes up on an alien planet, not knowing how he got there. This forces the reader to ask questions like 'Who is this person?', 'How did they end up there?', and 'What will they do next?'. It's a great way to draw the reader in and start building the world of the science - fiction story.

One way to start a story is to use an exclamation. 'Oh no! The alarm didn't go off!' This shows a sense of urgency or surprise right away. Starting with a time reference can also work well. 'On that cold winter's morning, everything seemed to be covered in a blanket of white.' It sets the mood based on the time of day or season. Also, starting with a contrast can be interesting. 'The city was bustling with life, but in her heart, she felt only loneliness.' This shows a conflict from the start.

Another way is to introduce a menacing figure right at the start. Picture this: a tall, shadowy figure standing at the end of a long, dimly - lit hallway. The main character catches a glimpse of it out of the corner of their eye, but when they turn to look directly, it seems to vanish. This makes the reader question whether it was real or just a trick of the light, and it sets up a sense of mystery and fear.

One way is to start with a festival or a celebration in a fantasy world. There could be a grand ball in a castle where all the magical beings of the land are gathered. But then, something strange happens during the event, like a strange symbol appears in the sky. This combines a sense of celebration and normalcy with an unexpected turn of events. Another good start is to start with a character's special ability that they are just discovering. A girl realizes she can communicate with the stars, and this new - found ability sets her on a path of exploration and adventure.

Starting with a mystery is effective. 'There was a box. It had been sitting in the corner of the old room for as long as anyone could remember. It was unmarked, but there was an odd energy coming from it. One day, a curious child decided to open it...' It makes the reader curious to know more about the mystery object.

A great way is to start with a vivid description of a setting. For instance, 'The city was a chaos of neon lights and steam - filled alleyways. The smell of burnt rubber and fried food filled the air as people scurried about like ants.' This kind of detailed setting draws the reader in and sets the mood for the story.

Start with a missing person. Just say that someone has vanished without a trace. The family and friends are worried sick. This makes the reader curious about what happened to the person. Was it foul play? Who could be responsible? It's a simple yet effective way to draw the reader in.

A sudden, unexpected event can make for a great start. For instance, 'I was walking home on a normal day when suddenly, a hand reached out from the sewer grate and grabbed my ankle. I screamed, but no one was around to hear me.'

You can start with a lost or found item. Imagine a young girl finding a strange amulet in an attic. The amulet has strange markings and gives off a faint glow. As soon as she touches it, she feels a strange connection to a far - off place. This simple discovery sets the stage for a grand adventure. Another way is to start with a conflict. Two magical kingdoms are on the brink of war over a stolen magical artifact. This creates tension and makes the reader eager to find out how the situation will be resolved.

Start with a dream sequence. The main character could be having a vivid, prophetic dream about an upcoming adventure or danger. This adds an element of mystery and can foreshadow events in the story. For example, the character dreams of a dark castle surrounded by a moat of fire.