Story Openings

What is it about a story opening that makes you want to read on?

For me, either the character has to be "hitting the ground running" in such a way, I've got to find out what happens to them, or the set up is intriguing enough to make me want to read on.

Mind you, I don't think I'll ever tire of the classic fairytale opening of "once upon a time".

There is the wonderful association with happy childhood reading of those great stories. That opening just, for me, sets the tone for what is to follow.

I know to expect fairy godmothers turning up at surprisingly convenient moments. (I've always wondered why Cinderella didn't berate hers for not coming to her aid a lot sooner but that's another story).

I know to expect talking animals (and I should imagine the Three Bears had quite a bit to say about Goldilocks that was best kept off the page. I know how I'd feel if someone destroyed my chair and bed - though they'd be welcome to the porridge. I've never liked the stuff!).

I know to expect the villains to get their comeuppance. It's just a question of finding out how and when.

And there is something wonderfully poetical about Charles Dickens's opening to A Tale of Two Cities (which I confess I've not read but is on my To Be Read list), but even I love the sound of "It was the best of time, it was the worst of times" and the rest that follows. The rhythm of that opening paragraph is amazing.

So what I'm saying here is I want a story opening to take my breath away so I have to read on. Now there's a challenge for any writer (including me!).