The reason so many stories use this opening is that it works! You are immediately transported to the land of the story –  in almost any place, time, or culture (for example [from wikipedia]):

• German: Es war einmal… ‘Once there was…’
• French: Il était une fois… ‘There was a time…’
• Norwegian: Det var en gang… ‘There was, once…’
• Greek: Μια φορά κι έναν καιρό… ‘Once, in another time…’
• Spanish: Érase/Había una vez… ‘There was, once…’
• Latin: Olim… ‘At that time…
• Vietnamese: Ngày xửa ngày xưa… ‘A long, long time ago…”
• Star Wars: ‘A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…’

It’s in the words and the way they’ve been said for so much of our lives. These are some of my favorite words to hear because I know what’s coming next! (stories!) Anyway, aside from the philosophical, here are some ways to spruce up your once upon a time. Maybe they’ll even inspire you to come up with your own 😀

• 1. In the age of the blue bearded children…
• 2. It was a lovely day, on a lovely planet, in a stinking cesspot of a galaxy…
• 3. Once, before the age of sand…
• 4. Beware the wandering walruses in this time of geese and hawks…
• 5. One day, after school and before ogre training…
• 6. Long ago on top of the mountain and under the clear blue sky…
• 7. Just yesterday…
• 8. Before we were a thought in our parents’ heads…
• 9. Between the days of the tournament and the day of celebration…
• 10. The hour of Cerberus’ birth…
• 11. During my third season…
• 12. As soon as the giant hammered doors clanged shut…
• 13. The year I turned into a carrot…
• 14. The moment the camel turned its head…
• 15. In the golden age of eagles…

Hopefully this gets those creative juices flowing – feel free to add a few of your own in the comments section!

Filed under: Writing Tips & Hints