Some stories like the Odyssey begin in middle of story What is this technique called?

The technique of starting a story in the middle of the action, often with the main character already facing a challenge or conflict, is called in medias res.

This Latin phrase literally means "in the middle of things". It's a common literary device used to immediately grab the reader's attention and pique their curiosity.

Here are some other examples of stories that use in medias res:

* The Iliad: The epic poem begins with the anger of Achilles.

* The Canterbury Tales: The story starts with the pilgrims already on their journey to Canterbury.

* Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope: The film opens with the Rebel Alliance attacking a Death Star.

In medias res is often used in conjunction with other literary devices like flashbacks and foreshadowing to provide context and reveal the story's background.