How can one create good opening scenes for novels?

Set a mood. You could describe a spooky old house on a dark and foggy night. The creaking of the floorboards, the howling wind outside. This kind of description draws the reader into the atmosphere and makes them eager to explore what's inside the house.

One way is to pose a question in the opening line. Something like 'What if the world ended tomorrow, but no one noticed?' It makes the reader curious and they will want to keep reading to find out the answer. Another important aspect is to keep it concise. Long - winded opening lines can sometimes lose the reader's interest. For instance, 'The man walked down the street. He had a purpose, but no one knew what it was.' is short and simple yet still intrigues the reader.

Begin with a strange occurrence. 'The clock in the hallway stopped at exactly midnight. And at that very moment, I saw a shadowy figure pass by the door. But when I looked again, there was nothing there.' This kind of opening hooks the reader because it presents something that defies normal explanation and makes them curious to find out more about the figure and the stopped clock.

Starting with a vivid description of an unusual place is also good. Like opening in a floating city in the clouds where the buildings are made of crystal. It makes the reader curious about this strange world and what might happen there. Moreover, it sets a unique and fantastical tone for the whole story.

You need to start with an interesting hook that grabs the reader's attention right away. Maybe a mystery, a thrilling action scene, or a unique character introduction.

Start with a sudden, unexpected noise. For example, a loud bang in an otherwise silent, empty room. This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them wonder what caused it.

Begin with a local legend. You can open with something like 'In this small town, there was a legend that every hundred years, a ghost would appear in the old church at midnight.' This immediately gives the story a sense of history and mystery. The readers are intrigued to find out if the legend is true and what the ghost is all about.

Use vivid descriptions. For example, 'The old house stood there, its windows like empty eyes staring into the abyss.' This paints a picture in the reader's mind and draws them in.

One way is to start with a unique setting. For example, 'On a floating island, where the ground beneath your feet was not soil but a soft, cloud - like substance, a young wizard named Thaddeus began his day.' This kind of setting is not something we see in the real world and grabs the reader's attention right away.

First, read the novel thoroughly. Then, pick out the most essential parts. For the characters, choose the ones that drive the story forward. When writing about the plot, only include the major plot points that are crucial to understanding the story. Also, make sure to include the setting as it sets the mood. For the theme, try to capture the overall message of the novel. Layout is important too. Use headings and bullet points to make it organized and easy to read. For example, if it's a historical novel, you might have headings for the main character, the historical period (setting), key events in the plot, and the theme like the struggle for freedom.