📖 Five Story Openers That Usually Suck
As a writer, the beginning of your story is crucial. It's the first impression you make on your reader, and it can determine whether they keep reading or not. Unfortunately, not all story openers are created equal. In fact, some are downright ineffective, cliched, or boring. In this article, we'll be discussing five specific story openers that usually suck, and what you can do to avoid them.
🌳 All Setting and No Action
One of the most common mistakes new writers make is opening their story with a beefy setting description. While it's important to set the scene, it's equally important to have some kind of action going on to get the reader invested in the story. This doesn't have to be explosive action, but it should be something that gives the reader a reason to care about what's happening.
🔫 Action Without Stakes
On the other hand, some writers take the action too far and forget to establish what's at stake. It's not enough to have bullets flying and swords swinging; the reader needs to know why they should care about what's happening. Establishing what your character wants and what they stand to gain or lose is crucial in getting the reader invested in the story.
📰 News Reports
Info dumps are never a good idea, but some writers try to make them more palatable by presenting them as news reports or broadcasts. Not only are these thinly veiled info dumps, but they're also secondhand accounts of what's happening. Instead of putting the reader in the shoes of a character who is experiencing something, they're getting a secondhand report of what happened.
🛌 Waking Up in Bed
Starting your story with your main character waking up in bed because their alarm went off is generic and uninspired. If you're telling a story, it should be something special and unique, not the most generic way possible. Be more creative and send the message that your story matters.
💭 Dream Sequences
Dream sequences can be effective when used sparingly, but opening your story with one is a risky move. It breaks the contract between the writer and the reader, and if the reader doesn't trust you, they won't be able to fully commit themselves to the story.
In conclusion, the beginning of your story is crucial, and it's important to avoid these five story openers that usually suck. By balancing setting and action, establishing stakes, avoiding info dumps, being creative, and avoiding dream sequences, you can create a compelling beginning that will keep your reader invested in your story.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Helps writers avoid common mistakes in story openers
- Provides actionable tips for creating a compelling beginning
- Written in a conversational style that engages the reader
Cons:
- May not be applicable to all genres or styles of writing
- Could benefit from more specific examples
Highlights
- The beginning of your story is crucial
- Avoid opening with all setting and no action
- Establish what's at stake in your story
- Avoid info dumps and be creative
- Dream sequences can be risky
FAQ
Q: What's the best way to open a story?
A: There's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to open a story will depend on the genre, style, and tone of your writing. However, some tips for creating a compelling beginning include balancing setting and action, establishing stakes, avoiding info dumps, being creative, and avoiding dream sequences.
Q: Can I use a dream sequence in my story?
A: Dream sequences can be effective when used sparingly, but opening your story with one is a risky move. It breaks the contract between the writer and the reader, and if the reader doesn't trust you, they won't be able to fully commit themselves to the story.
Q: What should I do if I've already written a bad story opener?
A: Don't worry! The beauty of writing is that you can always go back and revise. Take a critical look at your story opener and see if there's a way to make it more compelling. If not, consider starting your story in a different place altogether.
