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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/35859
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

How to start a story depends on the type of story you're writing. I've found Orsen Scott Card's [MICE quotient](http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/write-first-chapter-get-started/4-story-structures-that-dominate-novels) a useful tool for deconstructing stories. It can also tell you how to start a story.

**How to start a Milieu(or place) Story**

If the primary story thread is about a place, then you're writing a "Milieu" story. The start of your story should show your MC in his "normal" world. The "beginning" ends when they enter the "new" world. A good example is: Wizard of Oz. The story starts when she arrives in Oz(and ends when she leaves).

**How to start an "Idea"(or question) story.**If the primary story thread is an "Idea" story, then you need to start it by asking the big question of the novel. A murder-mystery novel is a good example. The point of the novel is to figure out "who did the murder". Therefore, the beginning of the story sets up someone being murdered in a mysterious way.

**How to start a "Character" story**

If the primary story thread is a "Character" story, then you need to start it by demonstrating clearly what is "wrong" with the character that must be fixed. For example, let's say that the point of your novel is for your MC has to realize that family is more important than money. Therefore the beginning should demonstrate your character choosing money\status\job over helping or spending time with family.

**How to start an "Event" Story**

If your primary story is an "Event" story, then you need to start it by briefly showing the MC in his normal life, then transition quickly to something happening that disrupts their normal life. Romantic comedy movies are a good example to draw from. The common trope of them is: character is happy, but then walks in on partner cheating on him throwing their life into turmoil. The movie is over when their life is restored by either finding a new partner or being "OK" with being single.

**Some Final Thoughts**

Of course, your novel will have more than one of these plot threads. However, it should be clear to you which is the dominant thread. Once you know that, you will know how to start your novel.

Also, this isn't to say it's the only thing your beginning should do. You'll, of course, want to do all the other things that good stories do like "hook the reader" by having conflict, establishing character's desires, and having fun and interesting first lines like everyone else has said.

Hope that helps!

Original score: 4