A good beginning serves two functions. First, it introduces the story and its characters, and sets the tone for the events that are to follow. Second, and more importantly, it draws the reader into the story and compels them to keep reading. When writing the opening scene for a new story, there are several things a good writer can do to make it more memorable.
Lead With Action
When beginning a novel, many writers choose to build some backstory or inject a good deal of description before jumping into the actual story. Those who write short fiction face a unique challenge in that they are attempting to craft a quality story in a more condensed form. With a short story, there is no room for excessive description or in-depth character development. Instead, a good short story begins with the action already in progress. The characters are already in motion and the reader gains a sense of their motivations based on their actions and how they react to their environment, rather than the author's description.
Establish the Conflict
It's important to establish the main character's conflict as early in the story as possible and with a short story, this is even more crucial. The main action that occurs at the story's opening is key to setting up the rest of the story. If a character is doing something, there needs to be a reason why they're doing it that is relevant to the story as a whole. The reader needs to have some understanding of why the character is doing what they're doing so they have a reason to keep reading. By establishing the primary conflict early on, the characters are more identifiable and their conflict becomes important to readers.
Make the Characters Memorable
A memorable story also has memorable characters. What makes a character memorable may vary according to what their story is. It may be a physical characteristic or their name or the way they dress. It may be the way their voice translates to the page or how other characters relate to them. No two characters are alike, however, they all have one thing in common. A good character is one the audience can relate to and one they will remember. By creating characters that a target audience can identify with, it's possible to draw readers into the story.
A writer only has one chance to make a good first impression on their audience. A good writer knows how to hook an audience early on and draw them into the story in such a way that will keep them wanting more. By beginning the story with a bang and creating relatable characters, readers are more likely to stay interested in the story and its outcome.
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