A common cliche to start a fantasy novel is with a dream sequence. The protagonist might be dreaming of a far - off, magical place or an impending danger, like 'Aria dreamed of a floating castle in the sky, surrounded by dark clouds that seemed to be alive. She could feel the danger lurking within those clouds, even in her sleep.' Also, starting with a discovery of a strange object can be a cliche. 'Luna found a small, glowing orb in the attic of her old house. As she picked it up, a shiver ran down her spine, and she knew her life was about to change forever.' Beginning with a dark, stormy night where something mysterious is about to happen is another. 'On that dark, stormy night, as the wind howled through the trees, a figure emerged from the mist at the edge of the forest.'
One way is to start with a completely unique setting. Instead of the typical small village or enchanted forest, consider a world built on floating islands or a city inside a giant, living creature. For example, begin with 'The city of Glow, nestled within the belly of the great, slumbering behemoth, was a place of constant motion and strange noises.' Another approach is to start with an action that is unexpected. Not a journey or a discovery, but something like 'The assassin's blade found its mark before anyone could even blink, and the world of politics in the magical realm was about to be turned upside down.' Also, avoid prophecies and focus on character relationships first. Start with a conversation between two characters that reveals a complex relationship, like 'As they sat across from each other at the rickety table, their eyes locked in a battle of wills. The old thief and the young detective had a history that no one else knew about, and it was about to unfold in a world full of magic and mystery.'
One way is to begin with a mysterious event. For example, a strange light appears in the sky of a small village that has never seen such a thing before. This immediately grabs the reader's attention and makes them curious about what will happen next.
Start with a character in distress. Maybe a young wizard has lost his powers due to a dark curse. His struggle to regain his powers can be the starting point. It allows the readers to feel empathy for the character right away and be interested in seeing how he overcomes his problem.
A great start for a fantasy novel could be a sudden and unexpected event. Picture a city that is suddenly attacked by a horde of magical creatures no one has ever seen before. This kind of action - packed opening hooks the reader right away. You can then gradually introduce the world, the characters, and the rules of the fantasy realm as the story unfolds. Starting with a bang like this can make your novel very engaging from the very first page.
A good start for a fantasy novel could be to set the stage with a prophecy. Maybe there's a prophecy about a chosen one who will save the world from an ancient evil. This gives the story a sense of purpose and destiny. You can also start by showing a contrast between the ordinary world and the fantasy world. For example, a girl living in a dull, gray town suddenly discovers a portal to a colorful, magical realm.
Yes, they can be. Pegasus has been used so often in fantasy stories that it has become somewhat of a cliche. They are a very common and recognizable element in the genre.
One way is to start with a mysterious setting. For example, describe a dark and enchanted forest filled with strange noises and glowing lights. It immediately draws the reader into a world full of mystery and the unknown.
Begin with a prophecy. 'Long ago, a seer foretold that a child born under the blood moon would be the one to bring an end to the dark sorcery that had plagued the land for centuries. And on that fateful night, a baby's cry was heard in a small cottage on the outskirts of the kingdom.' Prophecies are a great way to start a medieval fantasy story as they introduce an element of fate and destiny, which are common themes in this genre.
Well, in many stories, the 'shared trauma' is a cliche way. When two people go through a difficult experience together, like surviving a natural disaster or a difficult journey. It brings them closer and they fall in love. Also, the 'arranged situation' is often used. For example, they are paired up for a project at work or school and end up falling for each other. And then there's the 'long - time friends who suddenly realize their love' cliche. They've been friends for ages and then one day, boom, they see each other in a new light.