Introduction
Starting a story can be a daunting task. You want to make sure you have the reader hooked from the very first sentence and that you’re setting up the characters and plot in an interesting way. Fortunately, there are some tried-and-true techniques you can use to make sure your story starts off with a bang.
In this article, we’ll discuss seven different ways to start a story. We’ll look at how to write a strong hook, introduce the protagonist, set the scene with vivid description, and more. By the end of this article, you’ll have plenty of ideas for how to start your story off in an engaging and compelling way.
Start with a Strong Hook
The first few sentences of your story are crucial. They need to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading. This is where the “hook” comes in. A hook is the opening line or paragraph of your story that serves as an invitation to the reader.
According to author and editor Mandy Wallace, “A great hook grabs readers by the throat and doesn’t let go. It’s the promise of something exciting and unique, something that will make readers think, feel, and question.” She also notes that a great hook can be as simple as one sentence—the key is to make it memorable and engaging.
Some examples of great hooks include the opening lines from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: “Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much,” and the opening line from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird: “When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.” Both of these hooks immediately draw the reader in and make them want to find out what’s going to happen next.
If you’re having trouble coming up with a hook, try focusing on the emotions you want to evoke in the reader. Do you want to make them laugh? Scare them? Make them curious? Once you know what emotion you’re trying to evoke, you can craft a hook that will do just that.
Introduce the Protagonist and Their Goal
Once you have your reader’s attention with a strong hook, it’s time to introduce the protagonist and their goal. The protagonist is the main character of your story—they’re the one who will be taking the journey, facing obstacles, and (hopefully) achieving their goal in the end.
It’s important to make sure your protagonist is well-developed and compelling. According to author James Scott Bell, “A good protagonist has a strong desire to accomplish something and a clear set of goals.” He also suggests giving your protagonist flaws and weaknesses, as this will make them more relatable and believable.
Once your protagonist is introduced, it’s also important to make sure the reader knows what their goal is. This could be as simple as wanting to get revenge, find true love, or save the world. Whatever the goal is, it should be made clear early on in the story so the reader can understand why the protagonist is taking certain actions and making certain decisions.
Set the Scene with Vivid Description
Once you’ve introduced the protagonist and their goal, it’s time to set the scene. This means providing details about the environment, characters, and objects that will be important to the story. By providing vivid descriptions, you can help the reader visualize the world you’ve created and become invested in the story.
Author and editor Jessica Strawser recommends focusing on sensory details when describing the scene. “Focus on the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures of the place and people,” she writes. “This will help bring your story to life and make it more immersive for the reader.” She also suggests using figurative language like similes and metaphors to give the reader a deeper understanding of the scene.
Finally, Strawser recommends avoiding too much exposition. “Too much explanation can bog down the story and take away from the sense of immersion,” she writes. Instead, focus on providing just enough information to give the reader a sense of the world without overwhelming them.
Begin with a Flashback
Another common technique for starting a story is to begin with a flashback. A flashback is a scene from the past that provides context for the present. It can be used to explain why the protagonist is taking certain actions or why certain events are happening.
Flashbacks can be a powerful way to start a story because they can provide insight into the protagonist’s motivations and desires. They can also be used to create suspense and mystery by hinting at events that have yet to be revealed. As author and editor Steven James notes, “The best flashbacks reveal just enough information to tantalize the reader, while leaving enough questions unanswered to keep the reader engaged.”
When using a flashback to start your story, it’s important to make sure the scene is relevant to the present-day action. You also want to make sure the flashback is interesting and engaging enough to keep the reader’s attention. Finally, you want to make sure the flashback isn’t too long—it should provide just enough context to move the story forward.
Begin with Dialogue
Another great way to start a story is with dialogue. Dialogue can be a great way to introduce characters, set the tone, and provide insight into the protagonist’s thoughts and feelings. It can also be used to create tension and suspense by hinting at events that have yet to be revealed.
When using dialogue to start your story, it’s important to make sure it’s relevant to the overall plot. You also want to make sure the dialogue is engaging and realistic. As author and editor K.M. Weiland notes, “Dialogue should always sound natural and unforced.” She also suggests avoiding long blocks of dialogue and instead breaking it up with action and description.
Finally, Weiland recommends paying attention to the subtext of the dialogue—the underlying meaning beneath the words being spoken. This can be a great way to convey the protagonist’s thoughts and feelings without explicitly stating them.
Begin in Media Res (in the Middle of the Action)
Another way to start your story is to begin in media res, which is Latin for “in the middle of things.” This means starting the story in the middle of the action, rather than at the beginning. This can be a great way to grab the reader’s attention and get them invested in the story right away.
When using this technique, it’s important to make sure the reader understands what’s happening. You can do this by providing enough context for the reader to piece together what’s going on, but not so much that it takes away from the sense of immediacy. As author and editor C.S. Lakin writes, “The idea is to start the story in the thick of things, so the readers are thrown into the action, feeling the tension and excitement.”
Another important thing to consider when starting in media res is how you plan to fill in the missing pieces. This could be done through flashbacks, dreams, or other narrative devices. Just make sure the reader is given enough information to understand why the protagonist is taking certain actions and why certain events are happening.
Begin with an Unexpected Event
One final way to start your story is to begin with an unexpected event. This could be anything from a strange occurrence to a shocking revelation. The key is to make sure it’s unexpected and that it grabs the reader’s attention right away.
When using this technique, it’s important to make sure the event is relevant to the story. You also want to make sure the reader understands why the event is important and how it relates to the protagonist’s goal. As author and editor Jody Hedlund writes, “The event should create a spark of curiosity that will draw the reader in and make them want to find out what happens next.”
Finally, Hedlund recommends establishing a sense of suspense by withholding certain information from the reader. This will keep them guessing and make them eager to find out what happens next.
Conclusion
Starting a story can be a challenge, but with the right techniques, you can make sure your story starts off with a bang. In this article, we discussed seven different ways to start a story, including using a strong hook, introducing the protagonist and their goal, setting the scene with vivid description, and more. By following these tips and techniques, you can create an engaging and compelling introduction to your story.
If you’d like further guidance on how to start your story, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’d be happy to provide additional advice and feedback to help you get your story off to a great start.
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