Starting a story can be tough. Sometimes you have the perfect way to begin in your mind, but other times you don’t know what you even want to write about. So, here’s ten non-plot-related prompts that detail how you can begin your next piece of fiction.
1. Describe someone old (or eccentric). Really old. They’ve lived for a long time, so they must have some cool traits that give insight into their character. And each scar or missing lock of hair or item of clothing is sure to come with an entertaining story of its own.
2. It was not a dark and stormy night. Subvert some beginning trope you know about. Maybe the shadowy figure is wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. The storm already passed, leaving behind a bunch of yucky mud. The mad scientist’s experiment has some proper safety procedures for once. Just think of something that always occurs in the prologue, and talk about how it isn’t the case.
3. A speech to no one. This is an easy way to give a clear idea of who your main character is within a single page. Have them give some sort of rousing speech or confession or so on…and then talk about how they look at their face in the mirror and sigh. Maybe they do manage to give the speech to its intended recipient later, or maybe they never do. Perhaps they give the same speech at the end of the story, only slightly different. But rehearsing their words is always a great introduction.
4. A dream. Depending on your genre, this can give a good idea of the characters hopes, fears, and problems—or it can foreshadow and even predict the future. Whether or not it’s plot relevant, a dream can be an engaging way of starting a story.
5. Onomatopoeia. This fun word, which I needed spellcheck to write, means an expression that signifies a sound. “RING!” “CRASH!” “CLICK!” Whether your protagonist is getting up in the morning, breaking through a roof after falling several hundred feet, or turning off the safety on their gun, an onomatopoeia can sum up a situation in exactly one word. It also draws on the reader’s sense of hearing, investing them in your story.
6. In media res. Another literature term. It basically means to start in the thick of things. Is your character a bounty hunter? Maybe they’re chasing after their latest target. A dancer? They’re performing, whether in a rehearsal or on stage. A dragon-slayer? Well, they’re facing a ferocious red one with a sword, their companions bleeding out on the ground. You don’t need to wait for the exposition to get into your action sequences—you can start with one. Actions speak louder than words, after all, so you should be able to introduce your characters as well. Watch out for the visual appearances though! While it may not be important to the fighting, you have to remember that the audience doesn’t live inside your head. They don’t know that Asher Broadsword has ragged brown hair, that the dungeon walls are covered in mold, and that the dragon’s eyes are maliciously gleaming rubies. Make sure you add in the most important details along with your action so that the readers can picture it in your head. (Note: this is not a perfect description of the term, since you’ll be starting in the middle of the last adventure rather than the main one. But oh well.)
7. Fake out your audience. Talk about a character. Describe them in detail. This is not the protagonist. The protagonist may wish they could be like them, or may be thinking about how good they look or how much they hate them. That’s where their attention is. But this person is not the protagonist. Likewise, their home is cozy. Their living room has a soft brown couch and a cushion in the shape of a cat. Everything is covered in an inch-thick layer of fur from the five real cats that live around the house, and a toy mouse is stationed right under the television. But they’re not in their house—they’re on the road, or in school, or a raft in the middle of the ocean. How they wish they were back home…
8. Describe the setting. If you want a bit of a slower start, talk about how the setting looks. This sets the mood for the story. Is it springtime, with lush green grass and sparkling dewdrops? Autumn that hasn’t quite remembered that summer’s over yet? Nighttime with a full moon and twinkling stars? Is the room grand, or comfortable, or interesting in any way? Start describing a place, and story is sure to follow.
9. When Marius got out of this mess, he was going to kill Alexa. Statements like this have a lot of shock value, but they also pull the reader into the protagonist’s mind and establish a certain narration style. So talk about how angry your character is. They’re going to kill someone if they can get their hands on them. And then start thinking about why they’re so angry. Did Alexa trick Marius into hunting for a treasure guarded by zombies? Did Alexa spread a rumor about him that got him into trouble with his parents? Is there someone named Alexa, or is Marius plotting the murder of an AI assistant? Substitute any emotion or desired action here. Maybe instead, Marius is going to thank Alexa. Or maybe Marius is really proud of her. Why? Well, you tell the story.
10. A witty one-liner. Think of the wittiest line (or dialogue) you can, and then write it. Now, explain the situation and continue the conversation. It doesn’t even have to be witty, just a line that you like. For example, with a very non-witty line… “I don’t know,” Cass said. “And I certainly don’t intend to find out.” Who is Cass? Why is she saying this, and what doesn’t she want to find out? What might someone respond? “Well, I do,” Ava replied. “I will get my answers, whether you help me or not.” A story is already developing here. Why doesn’t Cass want to know, and why is Ava so determined to find the truth? What is their relation to each other? Does Ava’s willingness to work without Cass represent a betrayal, or is it no big deal? And the question could be anything: “Is the city council secretly composed of evil scientists?” “Are Ben and Mark dating?” “What is the secret identity of Leopardwoman?” You can form an entire scene around this, possibly adding additional information before the first line, and then get started on the plot.
So, what do you think? Have you used any of these before? Are there any other tricks you use to get started when you want to write? Describing the setting is certainly my favorite way to begin stories.
Even if you already know what you want to write about, these can help you if you don’t know how to get started. Just choose a number (randomly or not), and then start writing.
Beware the Silence! | | |
