Begin with a strange sighting. 'The lookout on the ship, a grizzled old sailor named Ben, rubbed his eyes in disbelief. There, on the horizon, was a ship that seemed to be floating in the air. It defied all logic and reason. But as the ship got closer, they could see the Jolly Roger flag flapping in the wind. It was a pirate ship like no other, and this strange encounter would be the start of an extraordinary story. Pirates were known for their strange and magical tales, and this one was about to unfold.'
You can open with a battle scene. 'Cannons roared and muskets fired. The pirate ship, the Sea Devil, was engaged in a fierce battle with a merchant vessel. The pirates, led by the ruthless Captain Red, were determined to take the valuable cargo on board the merchant ship. Blood splattered on the decks as the two ships grappled, and this was just the start of a wild adventure that would change the lives of all involved.'
Starting a love story during a time of self - discovery can be powerful. Let's say one person is traveling alone to find themselves and meets another traveler at a hostel. They start sharing their life stories, dreams, and fears. It's a deep and meaningful start as they are in a vulnerable state. Also, starting with a shared problem like they both get stuck in an elevator and have to rely on each other to get through the situation. It builds a sense of trust and dependence right from the start.
A random act of kindness can also be the start. If one person helps the other out of a difficult situation, like helping someone carry their groceries when they drop them. There's an instant feeling of gratitude, and from there, a conversation might start. This kindness can be the spark that ignites the love story as it shows the good nature of one person towards the other.
A sudden and unexplained disappearance can start a horror story well. 'When I woke up, my sister was gone. Her bed was empty, and there was no sign of her in the house. Only her favorite doll, with its eyes that seemed to follow me, was left.'
One way is to start with a character's internal monologue. For instance, 'I always knew this day would come, but I never expected it to feel like this.' It gives an immediate insight into the character's thoughts and feelings, and the reader can start to form a connection with the character from the very beginning. This can also set up the conflict or the journey that the character is about to embark on.
Start with an interesting encounter that led to the vacation. 'I met a stranger on the bus who told me about this amazing place he had visited. His description was so vivid that I immediately booked a trip there, and that's how my vacation story begins.'
Another good way is to introduce a character in a dire situation. 'Jack, a scrawny but determined lad, was chained to the mast of a ship. He had been caught stealing from the wrong pirate crew. As he looked out at the vast ocean, he vowed to escape and become the greatest pirate of them all. His adventure was about to begin, and it would be filled with danger, treasure, and many a swashbuckling encounter.'
A good way could be starting with a character's strange feeling. 'As she walked into the empty school building, an unexplainable chill ran down her spine. It was as if she was being watched, but there was no one in sight.' This creates a sense of unease.
Start with a sense of foreboding. For instance, 'All day, a dark cloud had hung over the town, and as night fell, the feeling of impending doom grew stronger.'
You can start with a prophecy or a curse. 'The old woman's words echoed in his mind. 'You will see the face of death before the moon is full.' He had laughed it off at first, but now, as the moon grew fatter in the sky, strange things began to happen around him.' This immediately plants a sense of dread and anticipation in the reader's mind. They will be curious to see how the prophecy unfolds and what the face of death might be.
You can start with a sudden and unexplained event. Like, 'The lights in the room flickered and then went out all at once. I heard a strange scratching noise coming from the wall.' It creates a sense of confusion and fear.