In order to write captivating short stories or the beginning chapter of a book, you should start as close as possible to the action. If it is a novel, start with the incident that will give the plot a rolling start. If you leave anything out, you can add a backstory later after the plot is already unfolding. For short stories, start close to the end. Conserve your scenes and characters, usually by using a single conflict for the whole story. You should work up to a sudden and unexpected solution to the conflict.

Getting started

What is your protagonist’s goal? You should create a compelling reason to make your protagonist the person to take your story forward. What actions has your protagonist taken towards his goal? Which unexpected consequence does your protagonist encounter based on his actions? The beginning should introduce your main character and the conflict he faces that will lead to the unfolding of the plot.

Make your first paragraph catchy

For today’s discerning readers, grab their attention in the first sentence. The first sentence should introduce readers to a conflict, unusual occurrence, unexpected twist of fate, or any other thing that will spark readers’ interest. Begin with tension and send a message that something big is about to happen.

Develop your characters

Every character in a story should be a living and breathing being with many unique features. An author should give a character way more features than he will ever need in the story. Among the features that a character should have are: name, gender, age, build, hobbies, temperament, favorite foods, fears, weaknesses, strong memories, etc. An author is able to understand a character better if he has all these features and more, even if some of them will not be used in a story.

Have a point of view

A writer should decide whether to write the story in first, second, or third person’s perspective. The writer should decide who tells the story and how much information to share. The narrator can be an objective observer or he can be part of the action.

Use meaningful dialogue

According to renowned writer Jerome Stem, readers should hear the pauses between sentences. They should see characters leaning forward, fidgeting with their cuticles, averting eyes, and uncrossing legs. The dialogue has to make a reader visualize the scene. It should include all the important aspects that carry the mood of the scene. However, the author should avoid putting in too much information. Some parts should be left to readers’ imaginations.

Choose a setting and context

A setting includes the time, location, atmosphere, etc. An author should make readers visualize the scene only if the scene is important to the story being told. At least two senses should be used to characterize a scene to make it more vivid.

Create tension and conflict

Conflict is the main element of any fictional writing. It creates the tension that kicks off the story. The conflict should be between a character and internal or external forces that compel them to act. Without a strong conflict, the author will have too little to create a substantive plot.