Starting lines for stories

List of over 150 story starters to help start your stories, plus a generator. Use these sentences to start a story with ease and inspiration.

Let’s say you have a great idea for a story but you’re sort of stumped on how to start it. Often times, the opening line or first paragraph of a story can make or break a reader’s interest. It can be fun to experiment with different ways to start the same story and figure out... Read Article →

She had heard his excuses before, thousands of times, but this time she was sick of them. She had never known that a human body could twist into that position. The bookcases tilted at a precarious angle over the sleeping infant. He was a brave man except when it came to small, tight spaces like […]

As Glinda the Good Witch says in The Wizard of Oz, “It’s always best to start at the beginning.” That’s where editors and literary agents generally get going,

The First Line #091 I give you the first line, you fill in the rest! Prompts are for anyone and everyone, but please link back to this blog if you use them. Thanks!

How I start a first chapter A lot of writers put a performance pressure on themselves to create a perfect first line and an impeccable first chapter. Perfect chapters come from repetitive drafting and editing. There's no need to get it right on the first try. When writing your first chapter, all you have to do is write a great hook, introduce the characters, and give them some conflict to deal with. If you write everything well, the rest is history. #writing #writingadvice #writer #write...

Illustrated with the top 100 opening lines of novels, learn ten ways to effectively open your novel or story. Start your own novel with confidence. | Fiction Notes by Darcy Pattison

So, chapters. It occurred to me the other week that I’d yet to talk about them here on Well-Storied, despite the fact that I’ve been running this show for well over two years now. How could I have skipped something so crucial to the structure of a good novel? I'll be honest. For a long time, I really didn't consider chapters to be all that important. Chapters give your novel structure, sure. But over the years, I've come to realize that that's not all they do... Chapters also create a…

The first lines of your story will hook the reader or make them put your story down. Here's how to start a story with the details and events that matter.

Opening lines define our stories in so many ways, setting the stage for everything to come. Yet, they don’t have to be as confounding as they seem—all it takes is knowing the traits of a strong opening, and then applying those to your own novel!

Sassy Comebacks to Sleazy Pickup Lines; Witty Responses to Rejection:

How to create great opening lines for your novels.

Get inspired with over 300 short story ideas! Quirky characters, plot twists, and creative prompts to learn how to structure your next great story.

At the beginning of a race, the gun goes off and the runners take off running. They don't stop until they reach the finish line. As writers, we want our readers to make it to the finish line, too. When writing the beginning of your story, we have to think of the reader and what will make them continue to read more. Should it be plot driven or character driven? That is the question. Author, Jennifer R. Hubbard was asked this question at a writer's conference author panel, "Do you plop your…

Guest Post: Hook, Line, and Sinker - How to Hook Your Reader with Just One Sentence. Hooking your reader soon is one of the most important things.

Check out this list of the best first lines from short stories, novels, and poems. Improve your writing with examples of opening lines from literature!

Every tale begins with a single line, a powerful hook that sinks deep into the reader's curiosity. Uncover the secrets behind crafting compelling story openers with "Master the Art of Story Starters: Captivating First Lines and 25 Prompts to Inspire You". Discover how the right introduction can dictate the success of your entire narrative and kickstart your writing journey with 25 unique prompts today. #HowToStartAStory #StoryOpeners #JournalBuddies