Here are examples on how each type of point of view looks to the reader.

Omniscient:

The old forest was gloomy and humid.  Not even a hint of a breeze stirred the leaves.  Occasionally a small shaft of sunlight broke through and illuminated a small patch of ground.  Vines hung from the lower limbs of the huge oak trees and thick spider webs filled in the spaces between vines and limbs.

In this case the narrator is the author telling the reader what the forest looks like.

Third person limited: 

Jack traveled through a gloomy forest.  Already sweat soaked his shirt.  Ahead, a small ray of sunshine somehow evaded the thick umbrella of oak limbs and shone on a pile of moldy leaves.  Jack ducked under a vine hanging from a tree limb and sidestepped a thick spider web.

Here we see the forest narrated by a character who uses actions and feelings to help the description: soaked shirt, ducking, sidestepping.  This type of  narrator brings the reader closer to the action than in the previous example.

First person:

I had a sense of foreboding about the gloomy forest. Even the small shaft of sunlight ahead didn't do anything to lighten my mood.  Sweat ran down my nose and dripped on my already soaked shirt.  I had to duck under a drooping vine to move ahead and edge around a thick spider web.

This time, the description is even more personal and the reader is brought even closer to the forest.  That is the consequence of using a first person narrator.

Have you ever wondered what artificial intelligence can do you for you as a writer?  Let’s take a look at a typical application using the story opening as my example.  I’ll use Perplexity as my ai app, but you can use any one of the many currently available.  Most have a free version you can use. 

Let’s try in out with this rather simple query.

(I always show AI responses in italics to differentiate it from my writing). 

AI Query

How should writers create their story openings

AI Response

Creating a compelling story opening is essential for grabbing readers' attention and setting the tone for the narrative. Writers can employ various strategies to craft an engaging introduction. Here are key approaches:

1. Start with a Hook

Pose a Mystery or Question: Introduce an intriguing situation or unanswered question that compels readers to continue. For example, Donna Tartt’s The Secret History opens with a mysterious death, immediately sparking curiosity.

Use a Bold Statement: A striking or provocative first sentence can set the tone and draw readers in.

2. Establish the Theme

Consider encapsulating your story's central theme in the opening line. For instance, Leo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina begins with a statement about family happiness and dysfunction, which frames the novel’s exploration of relationships.

3. Begin with Action or Dialogue

Starting in the middle of an action scene or with compelling dialogue can create immediate engagement. This approach works particularly well for fast-paced genres like thrillers.

4. Introduce the Protagonist

Let your main character introduce themselves, their voice, or their perspective. This helps readers connect with them right away, as seen in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye.

5. Set the Scene

Paint a vivid picture of the setting to immerse readers in your world. Use sensory details to establish mood and context, as Sylvia Plath does in The Bell Jar.

6. Convey Stakes or Conflict

Highlight what’s at risk or hint at the main conflict early on. Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude begins by foreshadowing life-or-death stakes, creating immediate tension.

7. Play with Narrative Style

Showcase your unique narrative voice or style from the outset. A distinctive voice can captivate readers and set your story apart.

8. Start Near the Inciting Incident

Begin just before the moment that disrupts your protagonist’s normal life, plunging them into the story's main conflict. This approach ensures momentum without overwhelming readers with backstory.

9. Use Unusual Details

Introduce an unexpected or strange element to pique curiosity, such as George Orwell’s reference to clocks striking thirteen in 1984.

10. Experiment and Revise

Don’t be afraid to try multiple openings and refine them later. Sometimes, the best opening emerges after completing the first draft.

By combining these techniques thoughtfully, writers can craft openings that hook readers and set up their stories for success.

In case you haven’t realized it (yet!), an AI app can be a great writing buddy or assistant.  It can save you work leaving you more time to be creative.