Where to Start Your Story

The openings of stories, or even chapters, can be very problematic. It’s important to open with something that will grab the attention of your readers and make them want to read more.

The rule when writing any scene is this: Get in as late as possible, and get out as early as possible.

What’s the important action or moment in your scene? Begin when that moment begins; you don’t need to describe people arriving or greeting one another. Jump in with the action straight away. Likewise, you don’t need to write about people saying goodbye and leaving. Once the important moment ends, it’s time to move on again.

When you’re editing your story, you may find that you can dump the first two paragraphs you wrote, or even the first two chapters.

Throw your readers right into the action; they want to feel like they’re a part of the excitement, they want to be carried along with it. Don’t make them sit through nothing happening; they’re unlikely to still be there when the action finally does start.