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Sometimes, starting a story can be the hardest part.
Right now, I'm struggling with starting a new project. I have a few ideas kicking around in my head, but getting the right tone is difficult.
For example: there's a fairy tale I want to write, but writing in the traditional fairy tale style isn't working for it at all. It's too removed. I think I'll have to go with first-person POV or write it in present tense or something. Not sure yet. I've tried to write the beginning scene a few different ways, and haven't hit the right one.
So while I ponder that, let's go over a few of the options you have when starting your story.
Begin at the Beginning
You can think of this as the classic "Once upon a time" beginning, although nobody uses that phrase anymore unless they're being ironic.
Witch Child by Celia Rees begins at the beginning, with its understated but powerful opening: "I am Mary. I am a witch."
Readers will journey with Mary across the ocean and deep into Massachusetts' woods, but it all begins with learning what Mary is: a witch. (Or is she? Read it to find out; it's good!)
Begin Mid-action
Also known by its Latin phrase, in medias res. Beginning your story in media res is a great way to skip early exposition by showing what's happening, rather than telling.
Big Little Lies by Lianne Moriarity starts this way, introducing the reader to what will be the story's climax, then rewinding several months to its beginning.
Begin with a Frame
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein also begins in media res, and is told as a "frame story," or a story within a story. Frankenstein starts with a series of letters from one R. Walton to his sister.
R. Walton is exploring the North Pole when he comes across Victor Frankenstein, who then recounts his story to Walton—and so begins the real tale.
Begin with the Setting
If your setting is a character within your story—such as in Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House—then it makes sense to begin your story by introducing the reader to that character.
But your story doesn't have to be gothic horror to begin with a focus on setting. My personal favorite book opening is found in JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, which introduces you to the titular hobbit through the coziness of his home:
I WANT TO VISIT SO BADLY.
Begin by Addressing the Reader
Tolkien's good friend, C.S. Lewis, was fond of addressing the reader in his Chronicles of Narnia series. As a reader, I was fond of being addressed. The Magician's Nephew begins like so:
I love it. Doesn't this just make the story come alive for you? My mouth is watering at the thought of those cheap, good sweets.
Begin with a Bold Statement
Do I even need to tell you what book this is from?
How about this one?
Write a sufficiently impactful statement, and go from there. This is also a useful tool for brainstorming story ideas!
There are other ways to begin your story—you can begin with a confession, or begin with a lie, for instance.
If you feel stuck on where and how to begin, try a few of these out. Or don't stress about it and come back to it later; your beginning can always (and probably will) be rewritten.
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