Opening Sentences in a Story

 

There are numerous ways to open a story. You'll note several in today's poster. They are:

Action

A Setting

A Thought

A Character

Dialogue

A Statement

World Building

I have heard many times that we should open a story with action. Why? That first sentence is meant to draw the reader in, to pique interest, arouse curiosity. Certainly, an action of some kind would make the reader wonder why it is happening and what it is going to lead to. The thought to this kind of opening is 'grab 'em quick.' Of course, that means you will need to continue holding your reader's attention. You don't want a great opening sentence followed by boring ones.

You can also begin with a setting, but you'd better use some pretty nice prose to grab the reader. If I read something like There is a mountain road that leads to a stand of tall trees. My mind suddenly has a mental image. If the writer continues describing the setting with multiple paragraphs, I may begin to get tired of that and start wondering when the 'story will start.' If the setting is of great importance to the story, use it. If it is merely a means to begin, I'd explore other options.

When the opening sentence is a thought, it is probably going to be a thought of the omniscient narrator rather than one of the characters. The thought is being planted in the reader's mind probably to be addressed or proven later in the story. 

Using a character in your opening sentence can create interest immediately. You're introducing a person and perhaps something that happened to them. People are alive in contrast to that mountain road and trees in the section on using a setting. 

Beginning with dialogue can also command your reader's attention. Especially if the person speaking says something intriguing, dangerous, or amazing. Questions rise in the reader's mind immediately. Who is that speaking? Why did he say that? Who is he speaking to? One of the finest writing coaches I have ever known voted a big, fat NO to an opening sentence as dialogue. Second sentence was fine, but she felt the first should show an action followed by the dialogue. According to her thinking, it was too jarring to open with dialogue. That action helped set the scene. 

If you open with a statement, you'd better be able to prove it as your story progresses. That statement about some universal truth cannot stand alone. You will have to show your reader through the rest of your story why that statement is true. 

What is world building? With this kind of opening sentence, you are creating a world different from our own. The opening would be used in sci-fi or fantasy works most likely. 

What kind of opening sentence will pull the reader into the story in the best way? Than can depend on who your reader is. Some readers will respond positively to an opening that is a setting while others will want something to happen right away. We're all different writers, and readers are not all alike either. What appeals to one will be a turn-off to another. There is no one way here; you have choices.

The main thing to remember is that your opening sentence is important, that it sets the tone of the story, and it sends your reader on an adventure. Pick one and call it quits? Maybe not. Once your story is finished, go back and test that opening sentence. Is it the best choice? Play around with a few more and select the one you like best.