#1: “I stood in front of the manager’s door, took a big breath, knocked three times, and slowly opened the door. As I peeked in, I saw my manager and the head of HR. I immediately knew this wasn’t good.”

#2: “The tires screeched as I rounded the corner, heart pounding in my chest. I had only seconds to escape before they caught up with me.”

Start with Dialogue

#1: “‘Mom, I have something to tell you.’ And with those words, I began the conversation that would change everything.”

#2: “‘This is it,’ he said, handing me the envelope. ‘Your entire future is inside.’”

Pose a Question

#1: “Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk away from everything you’ve ever known and start over? That’s exactly what I did when I packed my bags and moved halfway across the country.”

#2: “Do you remember the first time you felt truly alive? For me, it was the moment I decided to take a leap of faith and pursue my dream career.”

Describe the Character

#1: “October 2014. I was 16 years old. Trucker cap. Long hair. Baggy pants. And covered in pimples.”

#2: “She was a whirlwind of color, with mismatched socks, a crown of wild curls, and eyes that sparkled with mischief.”

Use a Cliffhanger

#1: “I was standing in my room with a letter in my hand. I knew this was it. I knew this letter would change my life forever.

But let’s wind back to when it started.”

#2: “The phone rang at 2 AM. I knew nothing good ever came from calls at that hour. As I reached for the receiver, my mind raced with possibilities. But first, let’s go back a few hours.”