What are good ways to open a story?

Starting with a thought - provoking question can be effective too. Something like 'What if you could change one thing about your past?'. This makes the reader start thinking and they are more likely to keep reading to find out how the story might explore this question.

One way is to start with a vivid description of a scene. For example, 'The old, creaky house stood alone at the end of the overgrown lane, its windows like dark, gaping mouths.' Another way is to introduce an interesting character right away, such as 'There was a girl named Lily who had a secret that could change the world.' You can also begin with a thought - provoking question like 'What if you woke up one day and found that all the colors in the world had disappeared?'

Beginning with an interesting dialogue can be very effective. Such as, 'Are you sure we should be here?' she whispered, her eyes darting around nervously. It creates intrigue and makes the reader want to know more about the characters and their situation.

Beginning with a vivid description of a unique setting can also be very effective. You can describe a strange landscape like 'The forest was filled with trees that glowed an eerie blue in the moonlight.' This sets a mood and makes the reader eager to know what will happen in such a place.

A startling statement is another good option. 'The world ended not with a bang, but with a whisper.' It grabs the reader's attention and makes them eager to find out how such a statement could be true. Often, this type of opening challenges the reader's assumptions and sets up an interesting narrative.

A good way is to start with an action. For instance, 'He ran as fast as he could, not daring to look back.' This gets the story moving right away and makes the reader wonder what he is running from.

One great way is with a strong, attention - grabbing statement. For example, 'The night the world ended began like any other.' It immediately makes the reader wonder what's going on. Another way is to start with an interesting character in an action - packed scene, like 'Jane sprinted down the alley, her heart pounding as the footsteps behind her grew closer.' A third option could be starting with a vivid description that sets the mood, such as 'The old, creaking house stood at the end of the lane, surrounded by overgrown weeds and a sense of foreboding.'

A startling event can be a good start. For instance, a sudden explosion in a peaceful town. This creates shock and makes the reader eager to find out what caused it and what will happen next.

For a children's book, starting with a fun sound or onomatopoeia is great. Like 'Boom! The fireworks exploded in the sky.' It catches the children's attention immediately. Another way is to start with a cute animal doing something silly. For example, 'The little bunny hopped and hopped until he found a big, juicy carrot.'

One way is to start with a news report or an announcement. 'The radio crackled to life with the news that a strange object had been spotted in the sky.' It creates intrigue. Also, beginning with a dream sequence can be interesting. 'She found herself in a world of floating islands, surrounded by strange, glowing creatures.' This can set a very imaginative tone for the story.