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.
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.
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.
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.'
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?'
One good way is to start with a vivid description. For example, 'The sun was a blazing ball of fire, searing the cracked earth as the lone traveler trudged forward.' This immediately sets the scene and grabs the reader's attention.
To open your novel well, you could start with a symbol that has significance throughout the story. For instance, 'The red rose lay on the ground, its petals slowly wilting, a sign of things to come.' This gives a sense of foreshadowing. Starting with a character's backstory in a concise way can also be effective. 'He grew up in a small town, where everyone knew everyone else's secrets, and that upbringing had shaped him into the man he was today.' And, beginning with a moment of discovery, like 'When she opened the box, she couldn't believe what she saw inside. It was a key that would change her life forever.' can be a great way to start a novel.
Another way is to start with a startling statement or fact. Such as 'In this town, every full moon, someone goes missing without a trace.' It creates suspense and makes the reader eager to find out more about this strange phenomenon.
Beginning with an intriguing character in an unusual situation can be effective too. Say, a young girl wakes up in a world where all the colors are reversed. It makes the reader curious about who this girl is and what will happen to her in this strange place. Also, starting with a dialogue can be good. Like, '"Where are we?" he asked, his voice trembling as he looked around the desolate landscape.' It creates immediate tension and makes the reader want to know more about the speakers and their situation.
A good way is to introduce a mysterious character. Say something like 'There was a man in the corner of the room, his face hidden by the shadows. No one knew who he was or what he was doing there.' This mystery makes the reader want to learn more about the character.