How to Start a Story: 10 Top Tips for Writers

Every reader knows the feeling: cracking open a book and instantly getting pulled in by the very first line. That’s why figuring out how to start a story is one of the trickiest but most rewarding challenges a writer faces.

But what is a good way to start a story? Picture your opening like an invitation. Done right, it gives readers a reason to keep turning pages, to meet your characters, and to find out what happens next. Below are ten tried-and-true techniques that can help you craft openings that feel sharp, engaging, and unforgettable.

1. Craft an Unexpected Story Opening

Surprise is one of the best hooks. If your first line or scene feels different from what a reader expects, they’ll want to know more. A character doing something outrageous, a statement that feels slightly off, or a contradiction to a common belief can instantly pique curiosity.

2. Start With a Compelling Image

Words can paint a picture as vivid as film. Beginning with a sharp, visual detail lets readers step straight into your world. Think: “The sky cracked open like glass” instead of “It was stormy.” If you’re not sure where to start, brainstorm character ideas and place them into an unusual or powerful image to see what sticks.

3. Create Interest with Immediate Action

Nothing drives momentum like starting mid-action. Instead of easing your reader into the setting, drop them into something happening. A fight, a chase, a breakup, even something as simple as someone running late. Movement creates instant energy.

4. Begin the Book With a Short Sentence

There’s power in brevity. A single sharp sentence at the very start can feel punchy and confident. Think Hemingway, not Dickens. Short openings are memorable because they don’t try too hard: they just land.

5. Pose a Question For the Reader

Not literally a question mark (though that can work too), but an idea that forces the reader to mentally ask, what’s going on here? Mystery, omission, or even a contradictory statement can all create this effect. Wondering what happens next is one of the most compelling forces in storytelling.

6. Engage a Sense of Curiosity

Curiosity is different from shock: it’s quieter but just as effective. A small, unusual detail at the start can hook readers without shouting. Maybe a character talks to plants. Maybe there’s a rule in the town no one explains. Those unanswered details are story glue.

7. Include the Problem(s) of a First Chapter 

Conflict is the heart of narrative. Readers want to know what’s at stake. Even if you don’t reveal everything in the first page, hint at the larger issue early. Maybe your protagonist is late to court. Maybe the family dinner already feels tense. Give us a taste of the obstacle so we’re compelled to find out how it unravels.

8. Introduce an Interesting Character at the Start of Your Story

Characters carry stories more than anything else. Start with a voice, a thought, or a unique action that shows who they are. Don’t overload with backstory: just a flash of personality that makes them memorable. Later, you can expand their motivations and flaws, but the beginning is your chance to make readers want to follow them.

9. Place the Reader in a Strong Setting

Setting grounds a story in reality (even if it’s fantasy). A classroom, a nightclub, a desert: each brings its own mood. Think about what feeling you want the opening to have, then let the world reflect that.

If you’re unsure how to frame it, brushing up on the scene literary definition can be useful. Scenes are the building blocks of narrative, and understanding how they work helps you decide where to drop your reader in from the very first line.

10. Capture Your Readers’ Attention

It sounds obvious, but attention is earned. Whether it’s through shock, humour, tenderness, or beauty, your job is to grab it and hold it. Some writers agonise over the opening for weeks, and that’s totally normal. Don’t rush. It’s okay to rewrite your first lines a dozen times until they feel magnetic.

How To Start A Story – Examples

Sometimes it helps to see these tips in action. The following examples of how to start a story prove there’s no single formula, but a strong opening will always spark curiosity, reveal character, or hint at conflict.

Here are a few famous openings that show different approaches:

• “Call me Ishmael.” (Moby-Dick, Herman Melville). This intro is short, direct, and instantly memorable.
• “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” (1984, George Orwell) This is a compelling image with a strange twist.
• “If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is where I was born…” (The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger). This opening line is voicey, character-driven, and casual.

Don’t Stress About the Perfect Start

Openings don’t need to be perfect on the first draft. Many writers circle back once the whole story is done and discover the real first line hiding on page five or ten. The point is to keep experimenting until you land on something that feels alive.

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what is a good way to start a story, remember that the answer often comes after you’ve written further in. Draft first, refine later. And if you want tools to help with brainstorming or drafting, try an app for writing a book. Sometimes a little structure (and fewer distractions) can help you chase down that perfect opening line.