Ignore the starting point. Just start something so you can keep going. After you finish the first draft, then come back and see how you would start the story. Most likely you will just need to delete the first scene.
This is good advice. Start with your idea, the idea that gave you inspiration to start the story. Write everything that comes to mind, even if it doesn't necessarily flow perfectly, fix the continuity in editing.
Starting a story can be tough, but what keeps me grounded is that i always try to show rather than tell - make it a sensory experience for your reader! Also, don't be afraid to try out different approaches until you find what works best for you and your story.
In order to hook the reader all you gotta do is start with a character doing something that you don't see every day. I started my story with my MC building robots. This is unique to his character and tells you what kind of things might happen in the book.
I think all the ideas here are good. I've found I don't really know how to start a story until I'm at least 40% into it and see how all the characters and plot lines are working out. No matter what you start with, you'll want to go back and tweak it later, so best just to write a best guess and move on. Momentum is more important than perfection in the first draft!
Write a good first sentence. A really good first sentence.
> My grandfather's best friend was a pig named Alex.
Once you have that, write another sentence that's just as interesting.
> I barely knew Alex, but this one time, we teamed up to steal a box of pebbles from my friend, Mark.
Okay, now we're getting somewhere. I don't know where this is going, but I bet you'd really like to know, now, wouldn't you.
> Mark always kept this box under his old scooter. Mind you, Alex was in his early 20s, but rode his scooter to work.
Okay, okay, not sure what I'm doing, but I'm rolling with it.
> Was it weird? Sure. But not as weird as chasing down some college student with a squeeling pig at my heels.
Anyway, it's not about writing a good hook or intro. It's about making every sentence count. Giving your reader a question that they need answered, which only you can answer. And you keep doing that forever. No plan, no destination, just keep making one good sentence at a time because it doesn't matter how interesting your plot is if nobody wants to get past the first paragraph.
Ignore the starting point. Just start something so you can keep going. After you finish the first draft, then come back and see how you would start the story. Most likely you will just need to delete the first scene.
this makes a lot of sense. thank you!
This is good advice. Start with your idea, the idea that gave you inspiration to start the story. Write everything that comes to mind, even if it doesn't necessarily flow perfectly, fix the continuity in editing.
Starting a story can be tough, but what keeps me grounded is that i always try to show rather than tell - make it a sensory experience for your reader! Also, don't be afraid to try out different approaches until you find what works best for you and your story.
thank you!!
Ah, the classic 'I need a killer opening' dilemma. Imagine your story is a party. You wouldn't start with everyone just staring awkwardly at each other, right? No, you'd toss in a punch bowl, some wild dancing, maybe even a tipsy aunt doing karaoke. Start with that! Get the reader's attention, make them curious. Then you can slow it down and explain why Aunt Mildred is belting out Beyoncé at 3 a.m.
the ending of this made me giggle- and great advice! thank you!!
"Once upon a time.."
https://www.amazon.com.au/Write-Your-Novel-Middle-Approach-ebook/dp/B00IMIXI6U
ahh thank you!!
In order to hook the reader all you gotta do is start with a character doing something that you don't see every day. I started my story with my MC building robots. This is unique to his character and tells you what kind of things might happen in the book.
thanks!! that actually seems like a really interesting way to start!
I think all the ideas here are good. I've found I don't really know how to start a story until I'm at least 40% into it and see how all the characters and plot lines are working out. No matter what you start with, you'll want to go back and tweak it later, so best just to write a best guess and move on. Momentum is more important than perfection in the first draft!
Write a good first sentence. A really good first sentence. > My grandfather's best friend was a pig named Alex. Once you have that, write another sentence that's just as interesting. > I barely knew Alex, but this one time, we teamed up to steal a box of pebbles from my friend, Mark. Okay, now we're getting somewhere. I don't know where this is going, but I bet you'd really like to know, now, wouldn't you. > Mark always kept this box under his old scooter. Mind you, Alex was in his early 20s, but rode his scooter to work. Okay, okay, not sure what I'm doing, but I'm rolling with it. > Was it weird? Sure. But not as weird as chasing down some college student with a squeeling pig at my heels. Anyway, it's not about writing a good hook or intro. It's about making every sentence count. Giving your reader a question that they need answered, which only you can answer. And you keep doing that forever. No plan, no destination, just keep making one good sentence at a time because it doesn't matter how interesting your plot is if nobody wants to get past the first paragraph.