How to Start a Fictional Story – Tips and Examples

Introduction

Writing a fictional story is an exciting adventure. Whether it’s a short story, novel, or screenplay, the best stories always start with an interesting premise that grabs readers’ attention. But before you can write the rest of your story, you need to figure out how to start it. This article will provide tips on how to begin a fictional story and include examples of successful stories to illustrate each point.

Begin with a Unique Setting or Character

The first thing you should do when starting a story is to establish a tone. You can do this by creating a unique setting or introducing an interesting character. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien begins The Lord of the Rings with the line “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” The description of the hobbit and his home immediately establishes the whimsical tone of the book.

Similarly, George R.R. Martin begins A Game of Thrones with “Bran thought about it. ‘Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid?'” This line introduces readers to Bran Stark and his moral dilemma, which sets up the complex themes of the series. Both of these authors use a single sentence to introduce readers to the world they’ve created and the characters they’ll be following.

Introduce an Inciting Incident

Once you’ve set up the world and characters of your story, you need to introduce an inciting incident. An inciting incident is an event that changes the course of the protagonist’s life and sets the story in motion. It should be unexpected and have significant consequences for the protagonist. In The Hunger Games, the inciting incident is when Katniss volunteers to take her sister’s place in the titular games. This act of self-sacrifice leads to a chain of events that shape the rest of the story.

When crafting your inciting incident, think about what kind of challenge you want to present to your protagonist. What kind of event will force them to make difficult decisions? What kind of conflict will arise from this decision? These are the kinds of questions you should ask yourself to create an effective inciting incident.

Establish Characters and Their Motivations

Now that you’ve established the world and an inciting incident, it’s time to introduce the characters and their motivations. You should spend some time developing each character and why they do what they do. Why are they pursuing a particular goal? What are their strengths and weaknesses? How do they react to different situations? These are all important questions to consider when creating characters.

It’s also important to decide when to introduce characters and their motivations. Do you want to reveal them right away or slowly over the course of the story? You can even create a mystery around certain characters, such as their true identity or purpose. Whatever approach you take, make sure that you establish characters and their motivations early on in the story.

Use Dialogue to Establish Relationships

Dialogue can be a powerful tool for establishing relationships between characters. It can reveal a lot about a character’s personality and how they interact with others. It can also hint at the history between two characters, as well as the conflicts that may arise between them. For example, in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the dialogue between Harry and Draco Malfoy reveals their rivalry and foreshadows the events to come.

When writing dialogue, avoid long monologues or overly expository conversations. Instead, focus on natural conversations that move the plot forward and reveal something about the characters. Try to make the dialogue sound realistic and give each character a distinct voice.

Create a Sense of Mystery

Mystery is a great way to keep readers engaged in a story. It can be used to hint at a bigger problem or conflict that the protagonist must face. For example, in The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield’s search for meaning is shrouded in mystery. He doesn’t know what he’s looking for, only that he feels like something is missing from his life. This creates a sense of tension and anticipation that drives the story forward.

When creating a sense of mystery, try to leave clues that hint at the larger problem. These clues don’t have to be obvious, but they should be enough to get readers thinking about what might happen next. You can also use symbols or images to evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue.

Use Vivid Descriptions

Vivid descriptions can make your story come alive. They can be used to paint a picture of the setting, characters, and events. Good descriptions also evoke emotion in the reader, making them feel like they’re part of the story. In To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee uses vivid descriptions to bring the small town of Maycomb to life and evoke sympathy for the characters.

When writing descriptions, focus on the details. Think about how a character looks, what they’re wearing, how they move, and how they talk. You can also use metaphors and similes to add color to your descriptions. Just make sure that your descriptions serve a purpose and don’t bog down the story.

Conclusion

Starting a fictional story can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can craft a story that will captivate readers. Begin with a unique setting or character to establish the tone of your story. Then, introduce an inciting incident and develop characters and their motivations. Use dialogue to establish relationships and create a sense of mystery. Finally, use vivid descriptions to bring your story to life.

With these tips and examples, you’re well on your way to writing a great story.