You can also begin with a dream or a long - held wish. 'Since I was a child, I had always dreamed of going to a tropical island. One day, I finally had the chance to make that dream come true. My vacation started with that realization of a lifelong wish.'
Describe the weather when you set off. 'It was a gloomy, rainy day when I started my journey towards my vacation destination. But I didn't care because I knew that sunshine awaited me at the end of this trip.'
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.'
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.
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.'
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.'
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.'
Open with a dialogue that hints at something fantastical. Two characters could be talking in hushed tones about a 'portal that only opens on a full moon'. This immediately makes the reader curious about what this portal is and where it leads. Another way is to start with a feeling of being lost. The main character could find themselves in a place that looks familiar but is somehow different, like a town where all the buildings are made of ice, but they were just in a normal, warm town a moment ago.
Beginning a love story can be done through an unexpected encounter. For example, being stuck in an elevator together and having a deep conversation. Or, starting with a shared love for food. Meeting at a food festival and trying different delicacies together. You could also start by helping each other out in an academic or work - related situation, which can lead to a deeper bond.
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.
Yes. You can start with a flashback. For example, 'As he sat in the empty room, he remembered the day his mother left.' This adds depth to the story from the start. Another way is to start with a symbol. 'The red rose in the vase was the only splash of color in the drab room.' It gives the reader something to think about. Starting with a contradiction can also be interesting. 'He was a rich man, but he had nothing.'
A funny way to start is by using a miscommunication. Say something like 'I thought he said we were going to the moon, but it turned out he just said 'room'. And that's how this crazy adventure began...' It sets a light - hearted and comical tone.