Story Starters learning from the Pro's.

Gripping Story starters are essential. They grab the reader’s attention. Make them want to read more and keep them reading.

Some of us are born with a unique talent and have a natural flair when it comes to connecting words, some of us don’t.  If you don’t have this natural ability you need to learn some tips and techniques that will make things easier – who better to learn them from than the masters themselves.

Find below a selection of story starters from a variety of different sources.  See how the authors have used words in unique and fresh ways to spark their reader’s imaginations. These might help you get your story started.

From A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens)

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way-in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.

From The Blanket (Floyd dell)

Petey hadn’t really believed that Dad would be doing it –sending Granddad away. “Away” was what they were calling it. Not until now could he believe it of Dad.

From to Build a Fire (Jack London)

As he turned to go, he spat speculatively. There was a sharp, explosive crackle that startled him. He spat again. And again, in the air, before it could fall to the snow, the spittle crackled. He knew that at fifty below spittle crackled on the snow, but this spittle had cracked in the air. Undoubtedly it was colder than fifty below-how much colder he did not know. But the temperature did not matter.

From An essay by Laurie Rozakis

When I was young time seemed to stand still. But as I plunge kicking and screaming into my middle years, time compresses and I find myself thinking about eternity. No, not mortality, spirituality, or perfume; rather, I’m talking about the unique meaning “eternity” has for Long islanders.

Recommended Links

References

New! Comments