Five Terrible Ways To Start A Story 

I don't know why this is the only video of mine that RU-vid shows people, but I do have other videos on my channel that don't sound like I recorded it with a potato. FYI

I clicked on this video with the intention of writing a story that starts with all 5 but the advice was pretty sound and I can't be bothered so thank you.

*Mistake 4: Starting with Dialogue, Description, Backstory, Poetry, Quotes, Dream Sequences or most kinds of Action.* Me: "Then what the fuck should I start with?"

This finally inspired me to delete my entire draft and start over! Best advice I've ever heard🥰

i started my childrens book with a massacre and no publishing company picked it up what do i do

"This is why nobody actually reads the bible and instead pretends they did so they can shove their beliefs down others throats" Why did you have to call me out like this?

A picture is worth a thousand words, and that man will never recover from that fall.

Mistake 1, another way to phrase the solution that I heard which was great: "start scenes late, end scenes early." In other words, starting with the hook of the beginning, and ending before the tension or resolution can fizzle. As for Mistake 4, the things to start with, for real, is literally any sentence (or couple of sentences) that can create intrigue. That's the advice I got, and it was a great takeaway. Like, an observation is cool - especially ones involving sensation. "Damn, your mouth hurts." or you can paint a picture. "The black spire stretched so far into the sky it looked like it could've blocked the sun out, if viewed from the right angle." I would argue that you _can_ start with action, sort of, but not the basic action itself, _unless_ it's the POV character committing the action (at least in my experience). Even then, though, I'd probably want to focus more on how they're observing it - either during the action or just before - since that's more interesting. "When I threw my fist out, I wasn't figuring on him dodging it. I wasn't figuring on sitting up with an off-kilter view of the alley across from his barbershop, either. Then I fixed my glasses, which solved part of that problem."

As someone who studied maths, writing is harder lol

So for your first tip, basically we should avoid the use of in media res or do it in a way that's engaging? I was taught in high school that in media res is a valid way to start a story so this tip confused me. I HAVE seen writers say that morning routine beginnings are terrible unless relevant to the entire plot but otherwise I'm not sure why showing the middle of a process is bad for a beginning. For the second tip I wholeheartedly agree. Any novel or series with loads of characters I do believe works better if the characters are gradually introduced, unless said characters briefly appear and are fleshed out later on in the narrative. For the third tip, I think it depends on the exact genre and content of the book in question, but I agree. For the fourth tip, quotes and dialogue I think are valid ways to start the story depending on the story but the other ones you named I agree are cliches that are overdone. And I also agree that real life experiences are a great inspiration. I didn't see a fifth tip. But overall I thank you for the advice as I intend to start my own graphic novel soon.

The advice of forgetting every book I read while writing is actually comforting. Because when I begin writing, I feel my mind is blank and I feel bad for not knowing what exact rule or reference to follow.

ngl I have been watching these types of videos and accidentally stumbled across this one this was the most honest video I hope you don't change in the future xdd

This is clearly a meme video but I agree

Just to clarify on mistake one, would you say it's ok to start a few hundred years before the birth of the characters? Like the lord of the rings movie, (idk if the book does that as well, never read it) to give necessary information to understand the plot

This is really good writing advice. It’s concise, funny, and easy to understand. Great job.

Well, to be fair, the Bible isn’t a thriller that’s meant to be enjoyed. It’s a journal that’s a documentation of past events. It’s educational history, not an engaging thriller story. Still though, there are quite a few stories in the Bible that I found myself thoroughly invested in, so it’s not all boring. There’s a lesson here. Even if a book seems boring, there’s always an aspect about it that you like.

damn, that was totally worth it. I actually came over thinking it was about storytelling in person and not in books.

That was surprisingly well said and creative. About three times, I had to say, "Wait... what?" Nicely done.

i thought I clicked on a channel with 1M subscribers. Very good video!

Bravo, Mr. Matter. I have been working on this beautiful romance novel about the union of two kindred souls and taking your first advice to heart, I am beginning my heart-touching story with a 9-man homosexual orgy I was planning to put in the second act. I'll expiate for my ignorance immediately.

Good narration, good advice, being real.. I'm subscribing

The actual video starts at 2:20.

The first sentence should sound like you already know what's going on with the power of hindsight with questions and interest. Mysterious hindsight.

Hey, that didn't hurt my feelings at all! Great tips.

If you come across a writer you aren't sure is dead and there isn't a poking stick around, just ask them if they worked in publishing

It was the best of times It was the worst of times… Even after a century and a half I can’t think of a better beginning and a none too shabby ending as well.

I have plans for writing a trilogy. Good thing the story is based on a real life experience and not from "I got inspired by ___." Kind of thing.

For an opening I pick something simple and not over the top. A man on a mountain cliff pondering his plan viewing the wilderness. This is a very open-ended first sentence. Compare that too "The Black Wind Howls". You know someone is going to die soon if you open that way.

I feel like I am in r/writingcirclejerks on reddit with the comment section now. I have subscribed.

Ngl I am a bit angry at RU-vid for not showing me your channel for like a year at least Like, wtf dude

3:55 that was unnecessary 🙄

are you ok

Amusing.

I started my story with a guy walking into a bar

"Starting Before the Beginning": This is what makes prologues so annoying.

Man “This is Horrible” Some Basic Good Lessons Some Horrible Meaningless Lessons Just a 7 Minute Ad

The thumb is a clickbait!

I can't tell if you're being serous or not.

22 secs of intro music? Seriously. Boring.

Most of the info in this video is either untrue/useless.

You lost me when you provided your personal take on religion

I just cannot stand your silly jokes bro. Im sorry

You lost me when you used your video as an opportunity to insult my faith. Why would you do this? Why would you alienate me, when all I wanted to do was learn from you? I don't think you have anything to teach me that I can't learn from other sources that don't shove their athiesm down MY throat. Adios.

"Nobody reads the Bible, they just pretend they do. " -talk about shoving your beliefs down other people's throats.