Five ways to help you begin writing

 As promised, here are different ways to help you begin writing your story.

5 Ways To Begin Writing Fiction.

1. First sentence method

Write down what you think of as an opening sentence for your project. It should have  a character, (the main character maybe) the setting, plot indication and some action.

E.g. The horse ran wildly through the snow. 

Once you have your sentence, rewrite it replacing words, phrases and ideas with something more meaningful.

The chestnut mare dashed through the open countryside kicking up loose snow with each movement of its hooves. 

Keep rewriting it. Change more words, remove bits and add in new bits. If necessary write a second or third sentence to get your points across. 

The chestnut mare dashed along the fenceline in its efforts to keep the wolf pack at bay. Loose snow flew from its beating hooves before it reared on its hind legs to punish its attackers.

Rewrite it as many times as is necessary, until you are happy with how it works as the opening line to your story. It should inspire you to continue writing.

2. The question method / Start with an Unusual POV/ The jumping right in method

Sometimes it is more effective to jump right into the problem by asking a question.

“Why do you say that?”

“I believe it is better to give than to receive, although right now. I am not liking being on the receiving end of your questions,” replied Rachel.

This method gets you directly involved in the story right away. It gets people's attention and creates some conflict, which will drive the story. It is establishing characters and allows us, the reader, to draw conclusions about the characters. 

3. Begin with a strange detail/ Create a Mystery (the most important element!)

Some writers begin with an odd fact or detail that is pertinent to your story whose true purpose will be applied later on in the story.

Horses have tough, resilient hooves made of keratin, the same material as human hair and nails. The outer part of the hoof, called the hoof wall, doesn't have nerves, so horses don't feel pain. They will kick when they are frightened and other methods will not work. 

4. Begin with crucial memories

It was the spring of 1962. I was riding Clover along the back fence line checking for breaks in the fence. Clover snickered and became agitated under control. Her sense was to run indicating there was some danger ahead. As we backed away I spotted a cougar high in a tree watching us with curious eyes. I will never forget the danger I felt in those eyes. 

If I was writing this for a project I would be writing with more detail and a greater explanation of what was happening, possibly having the cougar come down out of the tree.

5. Begin with a place near the ending

Clover rose high on her long legs and came down hard near the head of the lead coyote. The pack scrambled back out of Clovers reach and began circling around to the sides as if to make a flank attack. 

This writing would be placed both at the beginning and again near the climax of the story and expanded on at the end until you finish your story. The climax would occur bringing your story in a full circle. This is called an circular narrative.

At the beginning it is a place holder that will interest your reader. It is followed up by the actual beginning of your story that will build until this is reinserted and completed towards the end of your story.

Also,

1. Bring the Energy

Your story has to have some energy. This sustains reader interest level and helps them to completely engage in your writing.

2. Dazzle with the Last Sentence.

Your last sentence should both support your theme and engage the reader for the next piece you write. Give them something to think about. 

Upon completion of a day's writing, remember to leave yourself some details about where the story is going next. It helps you to pick up and carry on the next day. Or conversely ignore them because you had a better idea when you were away from your writing.

I hope this helps.