This seems like an appropriate thing to start with-

So, let's say that you have your amazing idea ready! You're ready to start the story...

.......

But how do you do that-?

Believe me, every writer has that moment with at least one story. I actually had that moment while trying to figure out what to write for this (no, I'm not kidding).

I know for a lot of people, the action of starting the story is one of the hardest parts and stops them from ever actually writing. Before I start on the actual solutions, maybe I can ask a few questions that can get you started before you even need to finish the chapter.

Note: it's okay if you can't answer these, that's what I'm here for. Okay, here we go:

Who is the main character, and how do they tend to act or think?

What's the general vibe of your story?

What's the pace of your story?

Who is your target audience?

What are the main events that happen in your story?

What has happened before the canonical start of your story?

When and where is the story set?

Alright, if those haven't helped you to a satisfactory degree, then keep reading.

How can we really start our stories? To be honest, it depends on a lot of things. Like, a lot.

If you read through the questions I asked, those can be an aspect of your beginning. Or, they might not. Let's think of the beginning to the most popular books series I can think of (even if the writer's being a bit of a jerk at the moment...):

"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much."

For those of you who don't know this line, it's the very first sentence of the Harry Potter series. If you think about it, it's a bit strange that such a mundane line is the introduction to such a magic-filled world.

Here's the thing about beginnings: they can be whatever you want them to be as long as you can make it work.

Not all opening lines have to gRAB YOUR AUDIENCE BY THE EYEBALLS AND HOLD ON LIKE THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON IT- WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, DO YOU WANT TO FADE INTO OBSCURITY-?!?!?

Yeah lol. Despite what a lot of modern media will tell you, the best beginnings can be very slow and low-key if you want them to. Look at Rick Riordan's "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series! It started with a witty quip that transitioned into what usually would be a boring bus ride with two semi-interesting kids.

You might be asking, "Well, how do I make it work for me then?"

It depends on your writing style and the story you make afterwards. For HermitVengers, I started with a basic prologue that gave background and expectations of what was going to happen. Why?

Because I know myself well enough to understand that I know this story enough to have familiarity blindness and (unrelated) need a basic guideline for where I'm going.

Know what you need and work with it.

Now, time to talk from a more writing perspective than a personal one.

What is a beginning in a story?

Well, it tends to be the event when something kicks off the story. Often, it's something bad that happens to the protagonist (because mentally healthy/stable people don't purposely go to fight monsters-). It doesn't have to, but it usually is. Most beginnings are the universe/gods/writer pushing the protagonist out of their comfort zone so the readers can watch the main character and co. react to the situations that come from said event.

Some examples: a god being stripped of their godly powers, someone discovering their powers, or someone getting thrown onto a spaceship with no clue of what's going on.

It can be as sudden or as slow as you want it to be, but I suggest that it goes along with the general pace of your story. If things are constantly going to be going at neck-break speed, you have two main options:

One - start a bit slow and speed it up as you go

Two - yeet your characters and audience into the shenanigans

Either way can work wonderfully! (However, if you start slow, it tends to make the story feel a bit off by starting fast.)

If you're still having trouble, I can still (hopefully) help you. As humans (at least, I'm assuming most of you are humans), we tend to learn best from mimicking others and over time developing our own version of that skill. So, read the beginnings of your favourite books or fanfics! Maybe look up prompts for it, if that helps you.

But honestly? The best way to get through it (and I'm probably gonna say this a lot) is to just... do it.

Start typing or writing whatever comes to mind. If it's bad, edit it later. But once you get that first few paragraphs down? Congratulations! You started the story!

It doesn't have to be absolutely perfect by itself for it to be an amazing beginning. It just has to be the kick-off point for all the over events, usually creating a domino effect.

Although... keep in mind that I'm a beginner myself.

In no way am I a complete professional.

I do, however, do a lot of research. Many of the things I've said already are based on a video from a channel I watch called "Overly Sarcastic Productions". They have an entire series made for explaining tropes (fittingly called "Trope Talk") that inspired me to make this. Link in the comments to their channel because Wattpad doesn't seem to understand links-

I'll try to be as original as I can, but this was heavily inspired by them, so I do apologize if I sound like I'm copying or directly quoting them (and if I do, I will credit them).

Another thing: these are in no way concrete rules. The best writers and artists know how to break unspoken art rules while still making an absolute masterpiece (I don't think I'm quite there yet, unfortunately, so I'll stick to pointing out said unspoken rules-).

On that note... I think I'm done. I might revisit this in a part two if anyone has more questions or issues that they need help with. I hope I've been at least a bit helpful, and hope you all have an amazin' day, evening, and night!

- CaptainMarra