\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11258-Riveting-Openings.html
Short Stories: March 23, 2022 Issue [#11258]




 This week: Riveting Openings
  Edited by: Lilli 🧿 ☕ Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

In today’s fast-paced world, the first few sentences of your story should catch your reader’s attention with the unusual, the unexpected, an action, or a conflict. Begin with tension and immediacy. Remember that short stories need to start close to their end.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07P4NVL51
Amazon's Price: Price N/A


Letter from the editor

You know it when you see it — the perfect opening paragraph that immediately grabs our interest and holds it, until the next thing we know, we’re deeply absorbed in reading.

So how do we do it? How do we capture the readers’ attention in just a few sentences? It’s easier than you think. By following these tips, you can write a great opening paragraph that will keep your readers with you, page after page.

*PenB* Create a Sense of Motion
People and things in motion give a sense that the action has already begun. It's key to grabbing your readers right from the beginning.

*Penb* Use Declaratives
Readers want to believe you’re about to take them on an engaging adventure. One way to ensure you don’t let them down is to use a declarative, or several declaratives, in your opening paragraph. A “declarative” sentence is one that states something directly and ends with a period. It communicates clarity and confidence.

*Penb* Define Your Setting
One way to ensure that readers will keep reading is to let them know where and when your story is taking place. It’s best to do this as soon as possible.

*Penb* Create Tension
Perhaps the best use of an opening paragraph is to create tension for the reader, give them something to question, something to see resolved. Tension can come in many forms: psychological or physical conflict, characters with opposing goals, something mysterious that needs explanation.

*Penb* Examples:

*Xr* I heard my neighbor through the wall.
This is a dry opening and will not spark the reader's imagination.

Try something like this instead:

*Checkg* The neighbor behind us practiced scream therapy in his shower almost every day.
This is better and will get the reader's attention. Who is this guy who goes in his shower every day and screams? Why does he do that? What, exactly, is“scream therapy”?

Let’s keep reading…

*Checkg* The first time I heard him, I stood in the bathroom listening at our shared wall for ten minutes, debating the wisdom of calling the police. It was very different from living in the duplex beside middle-aged Mr. and Mrs. Campbell and their two young sons in Providence.

The rest of the paragraph introduces 'I' and an internal conflict as the protagonist debates a course of action while introducing an intriguing contrast of past and present settings.

As you look back at the various example I gave you, keep in mind that many writers combine these techniques to create the perfect opening paragraph in a variety of ways. At the end of the day, all openers are unique — that’s because first and foremost, you have a vision for your story that’s yours alone to tell. Hopefully, these techniques will help you to shape that vision into greatness.


Editor's Picks

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2268919 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2268312 by Not Available.


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#674657 by Not Available.


STATIC
Courage and Sunflower Seeds Open in new Window. (ASR)
A story of courage and sunflower seeds
#845160 by Maryann Author IconMail Icon


The Ride Home Open in new Window. (E)
A granddaughter helps a grandad measure his worth
#803245 by PlannerDan Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B083RZJVJ8
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.


Ask & Answer


*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B07NPKP5BF
Product Type: Toys & Games
Amazon's Price: Price N/A

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/11258-Riveting-Openings.html