There are some books where the first pages draw me in instantly, and others where it takes time before I am immersed in a story. I’ve always wondered about this: the best approach of how to begin a story. Is it the dialogue? The descriptions? Or is it a witty remark or clever a saying that piques my interest quicker than others?
In my case, I often find that it’s about clarity more than anything else. If it takes me a while to figure out what’s going on, or to distinguish who is saying what, I feel more disconnected from the story than if I know what’s going on and who is saying what. Lengthy descriptions can hinder my interest as well, or if the sentences read awkwardly or don’t have a natural flow.
I don’t think there is one right way to begin the first pages of a story, as before I begin a book, the subject matter or gist has to interest me first. And if the subject matter and gist do pique my interest, then it’s up to the author’s writing to keep me invested reading from cover to cover, but that usually starts with the first pages.
Fallton Havenstonne 