Voodoo, Hoodoo, and Maledictions: How to Start a Sentence and Break the Blank-page Curse
INCIDENT REPORT
2:16 PM. The motel phone buzzes, dragging me from an unspeakable nightmare. It's Sarah Morningstar, literary agent to world-renowned mystery novelist James J. Jung. Her voice quivers as she tells me that James hasn't been able to start a sentence in three weeks. Writer's block? She insists it's something else. Something sinister.
When I reach her house—a white-columned mansion overlooking a moss-draped bayou outside New Orleans—I realize why she’s so rattled. James, author of 13 international best-sellers, sits in the gallery raving at his laptop. Ms. Morningstar places a hand on his shoulder and gently asks him to write something. He looks at me with hollow eyes and tries to type, but his fingers seize and spasm when they touch the keys. It’s like he’s physically unable to write. The scene repeats with a pen and paper, antique typewriter, smartphone, and even a Ouija board. Morningstar leads us to her zen garden and hands James a rake. He tries to drag it through the pearlescent pebbles, but each attempt is stymied before it can start.
Seeing someone so talented in such a helpless state shakes me, and for a panicked moment, even I can't remember how to start a sentence.
Think, damnit! What are some effective sentence openings?
Strong sentence beginnings have words that captivate the reader and propel the story forward—an action, person, place, or transition.
James' condition is unlike anything I've witnessed. Normally, I would suggest he seek psychological help, but there’s something unusual going on here. Ms. Morningstar walks me to my car and wonders if James was cursed for mocking a local conjure doctor in his last novel. Her voice is fast and rhythmic, and the scent of cinnamon wafts from her lips.
Suddenly, the eerie caterwaul of organ music chills the air, and a neon-green hearse covered in crow feathers hurtles past the estate. It's Graham LeClair, a jealous rival author—and my first suspect.
Tips for starting sentences
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
Unable to cope, James is staying with Ms. Morningstar, so I visit his apartment to search for clues. It's surprisingly modest, almost spartan. I find chicken bones and spare change scattered on a card table. Divination? Takeout? Both? A complete set of James' novels is displayed on a shelf in his bedroom. I open his most celebrated work, Whispers of a Velvet Wind, and marvel at his gift. James didn't just write sentence starters; he gave birth to brilliance with every line.
If I'm going to understand what James lost, I need to catalog the sentence openers that once made his stories sing. I open my notebook and scrawl...
Best words to open a sentence with
Action starters maintain momentum: James' sentences burst forward and set readers into motion.
Struggling through the swamp, the detective stumbled.
Shouting, followed by gunfire, echoed through the streets.
People starters provide a human focus: He knew readers latch to people.
The widow leaned on her cane.
Parents pulled their children close.
Time starters orient readers: James grounded scenes with time.
At dusk, the prison fell silent.
After the verdict, weeping erupted in the courtroom.
Place starters set the scene: He enriched and advanced his narratives with specific settings.
Across the levee, lanterns flickered.
In the abandoned barn, shadows swirled.
Transition starters bring clarity: When logic mattered, he used transitions.
However, the evidence was incomplete.
Therefore, suspicion spread.
Question starters increase engagement: James wasn't afraid to toy with readers' curiosity.
What happens when a body vanishes without a trace?
Can truth survive in silence?
Invitation starters draw readers in: When he wanted intimacy, he invited the reader closer.
Consider the weight of those unconfessed crimes.
Imagine a man who can no longer imagine.
Good sentence starters capture the reader’s attention with people, places, or questions.
James was a puppet master of momentum, context, and clarity. He pulled just the right strings at just the right time, which makes his malady all the more mysterious.
I open the door to exit James' apartment and stagger backwards at the sight of a crude effigy lying in the hallway. The doll bears a stunning resemblance to James. Its hands are bound with electrical tape, and a large nail pierces its chest. I pick it up and find a piece of paper attached to the nail. It's the first page of The Harlequin Death Mask, Graham LeClair's debut novel.
Ways to begin a sentence in formal writing
FIELD WORK
I'm back at Ms. Morningstar's mansion. The night is thick with storm clouds and suspicion. James sits at a long dining table, shadows distorting his face, a chandelier swaying overhead.
I have a theory. What if James's inability to engage in creative writing stems from an overactive imagination? If so, perhaps I can shatter his illusion by having him dictate something formal like an essay. He agrees to try and says he'll argue that the truth always finds a way to light.
He straightens his back and sets his jaw, but before he can speak, thunderous laughter echoes through the house.
It's LeClair. He makes a ghoulish vision in a black fedora and purple pajamas, silk scarf swirling behind him like sinister fog. A pouch of charms rattles in his fist and sneers at James, "I hear rumors of a curse, and I'm here to clear the air."
Ms. Morninstar shouts for him to leave, but LeClair is in his element. "I'm the better man, the better lover, and by far the better writer, and I'll prove it." He slaps James across the face with a white satin glove, and they ready themselves for a literary duel.
James sets the terms. He will recite opening sentence ideas, and LeClair will attempt to best him. Ms Morningstar will keep score, and I’ll choose a winner in the event of a tie.
Given James' condition, I'm interested to see what kind of sentence starters for essays he can summon and furiously document their volley in my notebook.
Sentence starters for essay writing
Thesis Starters
James: “This essay argues that truth, however obscured, inevitably finds its way to light.”
LeClair: “Herein, I will contend that narrative, not truth, is what history remembers.”
Additional Ideas:
This paper will explore…
The following discussion focuses on…
My argument centers on…
Topic Sentence Starters
James: “The first major reason for this is the enduring power of evidence.”
LeClair: “One challenge to this claim lies in the manipulation of facts.”
Additional Ideas:
Another important factor is…
This issue also highlights…
An opposing view suggests…
Evidence Starters
James: “According to a groundbreaking study on reader trust, people are more likely to believe claims introduced early in an argument."
LeClair: “Data from multiple sources repeatedly demonstrates that trust and truth rarely intersect.”
Additional Ideas:
As reported by…
The data indicates…
According to recent findings…
Analysis Starters
James: “This evidence suggests that structure plays a greater role than inspiration in persuasion.”
LeClair: “These results imply that structure is a crutch for the unimaginative.”
Additional Ideas:
These findings raise questions about…
This highlights a deeper issue…
The implications of this are…
Transition Starters
James: “In contrast, emotional appeals without logic often falter under scrutiny.”
LeClair: “Building on that, logic without charm puts readers to sleep.”
Additional Ideas:
Meanwhile, others argue…
As a result, we must consider…
Conversely, some believe…
Conclusion Starters
James: “Therefore, reason and evidence are relentless, unshakable, and always pointing toward truth.”
LeClair: “Ultimately, this demonstrates that what survives is not truth, but the tale best told.”
Additional Ideas:
Taken together, the evidence shows…
This confirms that…
The final takeaway is…
Before Ms. Morningstar can tally the score, lightning strikes, the chandelier flickers, and a cloud of thick green smoke envelopes Leclair. When it clears, he's gone.
How to write sentence transitions
DATA ANALYSIS
It's almost midnight. I pull into a truck stop off Chef Menteur Highway on the east side of the Big Easy. My economy rental wheezes like a dying rat as I put it into park. The air smells of diesel fumes and fried catfish, and a frenetic zydeco floats from a nearby big rig and infects my limbs with rhythm. Alas! There's no time for dance. I ignore the shadows lingering near the gas pumps and spread James' manuscripts across the dash.
His brilliance wasn't only in his beginnings. James was a fountain of flow, each sentence rolling gently into the next. I examined his words and jotted the patterns in my notebook.
7 writing tips to enhance sentences flow
1. Transition Words
Transition words guide readers between ideas and signal relationships like contrast, cause, or sequence.
Example: “The researchers believed they’d isolated a cause. However, the evidence told a different story.”
2. Given–new Principle
Start sentences with familiar details (the "given") and end with new ideas to help the reader process information.
Example: “The storm had passed. The damage it left behind would take weeks to clear.”
3. Pronoun Reference
Use pronouns and determiners to link back to earlier ideas and create cohesion across sentences.
Example: “The results of the study were surprising. They challenge previous assumptions and may reshape future research.”
4. Repetition
Deliberately repeat key terms to reinforce themes and maintain clear writing.
Example: “Trust is essential. Without trust, communication breaks down.”
5. Parallel Structure
Use consistent grammatical patterns to create rhythm and emphasize relationships.
Example: “First, gather your sources. Second, develop your thesis. Finally, begin drafting.”
6. Sentence Variety
Mix long descriptive sentences with short punchy ones to keep the reader engaged.
Example: “The sun rose over the bayou and cast gold across the water as birds crooned their morning chorus. I stood transfixed.”
Sentence variety isn’t just a stylistic choice, it’s a writing strategy. Mixing long and short sentences controls pacing, builds tension, and keeps your reader hooked from start to finish.
7. Cause and Effect
Use structured cause-and-effect chains to show how one event leads to another.
Example: “Rolling blackouts spread across the region. As a result, the factory shut down, and production was delayed.”
James' novels effortlessly used every one of these techniques. That poor man. I unpack his laptop from my briefcase. His last draft consists of two words, "There was..." The blank page taunts me, and I hover my paws above the keys. A faint buzzing sensation stymies my claws and renders me unable to type. My mind struggles to grasp what I now know to be true. I can't piece it all together, but one thing is certain. This isn't a curse. It's sabotage.
What makes sentences hard to start?
UNEXPLAINED VARIABLES
I've convinced James to meet me at a coffee shop in the French Quarter. Ms. Morningstar wasn't happy, insisting he's too fragile, too close to the edge of delirium. He sits across from me, teeth trembling, fingers tapping an invisible typewriter on the table. I hand him a pen and scrap of paper and ask him to write. He refuses.
I slide a printout in front of him. He pushes it back. "James, I need you to see this." He lowers his head. "These things can make it hard for someone to start a sentence. Please just read it."
9 reasons you're struggling to start a sentence
1. Cognitive Overload
Too many mental and environmental variables competing at once. Your brain stalls under pressure to juggle them all.
Example trigger: Trying to sound smart and clear and original at the same time.
2. Decision Fatigue
If you feel like every word or phrase has to be just right, choice becomes paralyzing.
Example trigger: “Should I open with a fact? A question? A metaphor?”
3. Perfectionism
When you haven’t even started writing but think your draft has to be perfect. So you write nothing at all.
Example trigger: Holding your first sentence to the standard of your final draft.
4. Emotional Resistance
Topics like loss, failure, and fear are emotionally heavy, and your mind resists opening the door to pain or grief.
Example trigger: Starting an essay about an embarrassing mistake from your past.
5. Lack of Clarity
When you don’t actually know what you want to say or the point you want to make, no sentence feels like the right one to start with.
Example trigger: Vague or underdeveloped thesis or story idea.
6. Routine Disruption
If stress, fatigue, or life events have interrupted your writing routine, it can be hard to jump back in and get started.
Example trigger: Sitting down to write after a long break or distraction.
7. Language Mechanics
Sometimes the struggle is mechanical—how do you phrase a complex idea clearly and correctly?
Example trigger: Worrying about subject-verb agreement or other grammatical issues instead of expressing your thoughts.
8. Self-Censorship
You filter yourself before you even write a word for fear of how you might sound or be received.
Example trigger: “What if this sounds dumb?” or “What if this offends someone?”
9. Physical Interference
Fatigue, illness, or even poor ergonomics can make the act of writing feel mentally blocked.
Example trigger: Trying to write late at night with a racing mind and tired eyes.
If you’re struggling to start a sentence, you might be dealing with the weight of perfectionism, mental overload, or unclear ideas. Identifying what’s blocking you is the first step to breaking through.
James looks at me with crystalline tears caressing his cheeks. "I wish this described me, but it doesn’t. I just can't write."
I give him the paper and pen once more. "James, I believe in you." His face flickers with hope, and the pen trembles as he etches the faint curl of a...
Fire sprinklers erupt overhead. Panicked customers squeal and scramble from the café. I glimpse a shadowy figure slipping out the side door and give chase. We weave through a twisted web of alleys. I'm closing in, but the suspect turns a corner and vanishes. Moments later, LeClair's neon-green hearse barrels by.
At my feet, a crumpled red candy wrapper.
How to get better at writing sentences
CASE STATUS
The sun hangs low and pierces the mansion with amber. Bullfrogs bellow like warped cellos. Ms. Morningstar and James sit across from me at a small table in the kitchen. I tell them about the alley chase and LeClair's hearse. Morningstar slaps the table and demands I report LeClair to the authorities.
"First, I'd like to run one more test," I say and ask Ms. Morningstar for a pen. She hands me her silver Montblanc, and I pretend to scribble, "Must be out of ink." I give James my notebook and a knobby No. 2 pencil, and Morningstar twists uneasily in her chair.
I motion for James to write. He presses pencil to paper, and pauses. His fingers twitch. Haltingly, he begins to write. And write. And write. Torrents of words spring from his soul, a gratuitous flood of graphite and gratitude cascading upon the page.
"Stop," Morningstar screams, "You'll ruin him!" I calmly pull a cinnamon candy from my pocket and untwist its crimson wrapper. "Care for one?" I ask her. The damn bursts, and she covers her mouth with trembling hands. "How did you know?" she asks.
It's always the small things that break a case. The red wrapper in the alley reminded me of Ms. Morningstar's cinnamon-scented breath. The rest was easy. A high-profile agent from New York had been courting James. Fearful she'd lose her most lucrative client, Morningstar staged his collapse and rigged his laptop with a high-frequency device that incapacitates the brain's creative writing faculties. Once he was in her home, it was only a matter of rigging other writing tools with the same device to convince him he was utterly helpless. And LeClair? Merly an attention-hungry rival that Morningstar knew would make for an easy diversion.
Weeks later, I call James to see how he's adjusting. He's writing an account of his sentence paralysis for a prominent writing blog and tells me he has a co-author. Of all people, it's Graham LeClair. Apparently, they bonded over the ordeal, and together, they've compiled a list of writing techniques to help writers who are struggling with how to start a sentence. They're calling it a recovery plan, and it doesn't just outline exercises; it includes writing tools.
One is a sentence rephraser called Preamble, which I showed James during the investigation. He swears it's a lifesaver that helps writers break through blocks, rework tricky lines and come up with first sentence ideas.
How to get better at writing sentences
Study Strong Openers
Read your favorite authors and pay attention to how they begin sentences.
Tip: Highlight the first five words of each sentence in a chapter to see what patterns emerge.
Writing Practice Sessions
Drill sentence openers for action, place, time, dialogue, and thought.
Tip: Set a timer and write five sentence beginnings in each category every day for a week.
Replace Weak Starters
Avoid vague openers like “There is” or “It was.” Use concrete subjects and strong verbs.
Tip: Search your draft for “There” and “It” at the start of sentences, and revise them with specific nouns.
Combine Sentences for Flow
Merge short, choppy sentences into smoother, more dynamic ones to improve writing.
Tip: Read two short sentences aloud. If they feel disconnected, rewrite them as one flowing thought.
Use Writing Structure Templates
Learn sentence patterns for essays, like thesis, topic, and transition starters.
Tip: Create a cheat sheet of sentence starters and keep it visible while drafting.
Read Sentences Aloud
Hearing your writing helps catch clunky or confusing phrases.
Tip: Use a text-to-speech tool to listen back objectively. If it sounds off, fix it.
Embrace Tools
Sentence-level struggles don’t always mean you’re blocked. Smart tools can help you spot weak phrasing and stronger alternatives.
Tip: Rephrase sentences with edit tools like QuillBot or Preamble, which offers creative alternatives without hijacking your voice. It’s especially useful when you’re untangling tricky phrases or can’t quite nail tone.
Keep First Drafts
Don’t delete your early attempts. They often contain raw, valuable ideas.
Tip: Use a “junk drawer” doc to save abandoned sentences and paragraph starters you might want to revisit later.
All things considered, James is doing remarkably well, but there's one thing I still can't explain. The crude effigy of James, the one I found at his apartment during the investigation, keeps escaping the evidence locker and ending up at my condo.
Case file closed—until next time.
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FAQs
What are good words to start a sentence?
Good sentence starters depend on your context. For formal or academic writing, words like However, Therefore, or Additionally create a logical flow. Sentence starters for creative writing, such as Suddenly, Beneath, or Afterward, can add variety and intrigue. The key is to choose a word that fits the tone and purpose of your sentence.
Why do writers struggle to find what words to start a sentence with?
Writers often hesitate at the start of sentences or aren’t sure how to begin a paragraph because they’re trying to create clarity, rhythm, and originality all at once. Strong sentence openers set the tone for the entire line, so it can feel high-stakes. Overthinking word choice, worrying about repetition, or trying to sound perfect too early are common roadblocks for sentence beginnings.
What are examples of essay sentence starters for writers?
Examples of essay starters include:
In conclusion
On the other hand
For example
One possible reason
According to research
In contrast
As a result
These starters guide the reader and make your reasoning easier to follow.
How can I improve sentence flow in writing?
Sentence flow improves when your beginnings vary and connect naturally to the ideas before and after. Use transitions, mix short and long openers, and avoid starting too many sentences the same way. Reading your text aloud is a simple way to catch awkward rhythms and smooth them out.
Which sentence starters should I avoid?
Avoid sentence starters that feel repetitive or vague, like Basically, Honestly, or Well. While fine in casual speech, they often weaken written work. Also be cautious of relying too heavily on Then or And as they can flatten your rhythm if used too often.
What are strong sentence openers for creative writing?
Strong openers in creative writing create immediacy or curiosity. Starting with vivid action (The glass shattered), sensory detail (The air smelled of iron), or voice (I never believed in luck until that night) can draw readers in. The best way to start a sentence is by immediately setting the mood.
How do transitions make writing smoother?
Transitions act as bridges between ideas. They signal whether you’re adding, contrasting, concluding, or giving an example. Without them, writing can feel abrupt or disjointed. Well-chosen transitions guide the reader from one thought to the next.
What tools help writers start sentences?
Writers use everything from thesauruses and style guides to AI-powered tools like sentence rephrasers—tools which can suggest alternatives, highlight overused openers, and offer variety when you’re stuck.
Can practicing sentence starters improve writing skills?
Yes. Practicing with sentence starters builds awareness of rhythm and variety. By experimenting with different openings, you expand your stylistic range. Over time, this practice makes your sentences feel fresher and more precise.
What’s the best way to vary sentence beginnings?
The best way is to mix techniques. Start some sentences with transitions, others with action verbs, and others with descriptive phrases or clauses. Pay attention to patterns in your own writing. If too many sentences begin with the subject, deliberately switch it up. Variation keeps prose engaging and natural.
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