I feel like I need some kind of introductory scene first

[Guest]

It is considered a boring opening to have the character wake up and begin their day. Is there any way to make it interesting?

It is my main character's birthday and while she is having lunch with her family to celebrate, a very important scene takes place.

I don't want to start straight with that scene, I feel like I need some kind of introductory scene first.

Any thoughts?

[Nick]

Generally, that’s not a great start to a day.

If the first major thing right towards the beginning is her birthday lunch with her family, maybe have her start on the way to the lunch and something interesting happens that’ll be relevant later on.

[Sarah]

How about getting ready to face the family? You can show her thinking about the day before she leaves her room.

[Debbie]

Extremely overused trope. You'd have to kill it (absolutely master it) to overcome the cliche of it.

[Brooke]

"Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" begins with the opening of someone's day, and that's the least boring intro of all the books I love. I 10/10 recommend reading it if you haven't.

To clarify for those who want to split hairs, by "intro" I meant chapter one.

You can check also: How do a put this defeated reversal into a scene?

[Bonnie]

As my current manuscript evolved, editors and others kept telling me that I needed to integrate the introductory description and backstory lines later and start with actions that lead directly to the inciting incident.

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY resisted this advice, but then, I finally did it. Now, on my very first page, I introduce the protagonist and the murder suspect.

Later on, I slip in some backstory. Play around with this idea and see if it grabs the reader's attention immediately.

[Douglas]

I sold a short story this year in which the MC is a late night person who has to get up horrendously early to be interviewed on the radio, so there was a story reason and a character reason to show her morning scene.

Another could be someone waking up in the aftermath of a party, knowing they have to straighten the place up before their parents come home.

But generally, it's best to start as close as possible to whatever conflict/disruption/change actually incites the story. In your case you could start with the character making last minute preparations if her family is coming to her, or on her journey if she's going to meet them.

Suggested: Can we make a master scene list? What do you always make certain to include in a scene?

[Jafar]

You have something to take in and that's your character's birthday... Now let the scene be in his/her house and the setting to be at night, Here your character would be asleep when he/she receive a call from unknown person (don't mention) . Let him or her move out without telling anyone..........

His/her friends would be arriving in the morning for the birthday and they won't find anyone.

There are lots of things you can create through your character.

[Erin]

A wake up scene is all about learning the traits of the character.

Are they a morning person or a grump? Disorganized or overly orderly? How do they feel about their bday? Do they like the people they are meeting? What do they anticipate happening? Is there any foreshadowing you can do? What are some of their flaws or issues in their life?

It's a great space to show not tell and start worldbuilding.