To begin at the (good) beginning
The first entries for our second monthly competition are in - Australia and Canada quick off the blocks - and all the stories so far submitted have something in common: a first line that intrigues.
I have referred to this in an earlier blog but it is worth repeating. When it comes to short stories, my view is that the first two or three lines are absolutely crucial. I believe it is vital that the opening line has what is known as The Question, something that makes you want to read on.
It does not have to be a shock, horror line but it needs something to hook the reader - why is the character unhappy, why is the character in this strange place, why does the character feel uneasy, why are they in this predicament why, why, why, always why?
There are others ways of doing it - you could produce writing so beautiful that, whatever the story, the reader wants more because life is poorer without it, or introduce a character so fascinating that the reader wants to get to know them better. We know people like that in real life so it stands to sense that it works in writing as well.
However you start your story, it is certainly well worth spending time getting that first line right. It can get you a long, long way!
John Dean
January 7, 2008