 Horror/Scary: December 14, 2010 Issue [#4125] |
  Horror/Scary
This week: Reading & Writing By Instinct Edited by: W.D.Wilcox  
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MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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Reading & Writing By Instinct
Someone once asked, "How do you tell a good story?"
Well, the answer is . . . you wanna start at the beginning, go all the way through to the end, and then stop.
Beginnings are much like endings: the two are the most important elements of the story.
Nonetheless, I can't count the number of times I've started a story only to be 'put-off' by the very beginning and just stopped. You know what I mean. Your time is valuable, and you don't want to waste it on drivel. I always give stories the very first sentence before judging; novels, the first paragraph. Sometimes I just give a story a minute or two. Is it worth my time? Is it entertaining?
So what's the bar I use to determine a thumbs up  or thumbs down  story?
Instinct.
I believe a lot of writing is based on instinct. How do you know a good opening sentence when you read one?
Well, you just know. IDoes it capture your attention?
If you're a writer worth his salt, you know as soon as you write that very first sentence whether it's good or not, just as a reader knows when he reads it.
In my opinion, short stories are like Top 40 songs: they have to be catchy. Think about it, have you ever heard one of those commercial songs you just can't seem to get out of your head. Of course you have. Well, writing a short story is kind of like that. You've got to have a catchy tune.
So let's take a look at some 'beginnings' and see if you can get an idea of what the hell I'm talking about.
Lemme see. I've got a whole stack of books here I haven't even looked at yet.
Here's one . . .
Letter from Mina Harker to her son Quincy. (To be opened upon the sudden or unnatural death of Wilhelmina Harker)
Dear Quincy,
My dear son, all your life you have suspected that there have been secrets between us. I fear that the time has come to reveal the truth to you. To deny it any longer would put both your life and your immortal soul in jeopardy.
-DRACULA The Un-Dead by Dacre Stoker
Now that is awesome! What an opener! This is the sequel to the original Dracula classic written by Bram Stoker, and I find myself immediately captivated and want to read more.
Let's try another. Oh, this is a good one.
Thomas Covenant knelt on the rich grass of Andelain as though he had fallen there from the distance of eons. He was full of the heavens and time. With every beat of his forgotten heart, intimations of eternity expelled. They oozed from his skin like sweat, and were lost.
-Against All Things Ending by Stephen Donaldson
I really like this one because this is the last book of nine where the anti-hero Thomas Covenant finally returns to life to save the Land. So this is an automatic .
Let's see . . . oh, this looks good.
The unscheduled ship loomed in orbit over Caladan, a former Guild Heighliner pressed into service as a Jihad transport.
A young boy from the fishing village, apprentice to the Castle as a page, rushed into the garden courtyard. Looking awkward in his formal clothing, he blurted out, "It's a military-equipped vessel, my Lady. Fully armed!"
-The Winds Of Dune by Brian Herbert
Sorry, but this one just don't grabbed me . It'll probably be the last one in the stack that I read, but because I love all things Dune, I will read it.
Now here's a big fat one I've been dying to read.
All the needles on the control panel of the Seneca V dropped dead.
"What the hell?" Claudie Sanders said. She turned to Chuck. Her eyes were wide, but there was no panic in them, only bewilderment. There was no time for panic.
Chuck never saw the control panel. He saw the Seneca's nose crumple toward him. Then he saw both propellers disintegrate.
There was no time to see more. No time for anything. The Seneca exploded and rained fire on the countryside. It also rained body parts.
-Under The Dome by Stephen King
Oh yeah, Mr. King to the rescue. This is a must read.
So there's the beginning of four books, a couple of horror stories, a fantasy, and a sci-fi. Depending upon my mood, I will read the one that my instincts tell me will be the most fun. Eventually, I'll read them all. Hell, I bought 'em, I damn sure will read 'em. But what's important here is how I decided which book I thought was good, and which one a waste of time.
I'm sure I'm not alone here. Everybody judges a book by its cover . . . or by its first paragraph. If you continue the course you are on and become a published author, readers will judge you that way too. It's something to think about.
Until next time, Merry Christmas!
billwilcox
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DEADTIME STORIES
|  | Stay Inside (13+)
In the post WWIII world, people are not aloud to go out at certain times of day...but why?
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Long
before
there are any
Christmas presents to
be found -- or hanging on
the door a festive wreath for you
to see; preceding any mouth-watering
foods or fancy decorations all around -- there
must at first come the Wondrous Christmas Tree.
Standing so majestically from the floor up to the roof.
Quite perfectly hand-picked and just as nearly childproof. The
smell is more than pine -- it's more like fresh snow-covered woods.
Filled with anxious anticipation, the culmination of childhood. But if that's not
quite enough -- strings of electric brilliance are wrapped 'round and 'round.
Ornaments and candy canes keep children exquisitely spellbound. And up upon
the very top an angel sits so daintily -- watching over
everyone and
the Wondrous
Christmas Tree.
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DEAD LETTERS
Kate - Writing & Reading 
Comments:
Interesting ~ pop-psych holds folks come to embody characteristics of their name - and since 'The' appears in no baby name books, the poor beasties are acting out of frustration with their sire's lack of forethought - But would 'Horatio Blob' really be less likely to consume every living thing it encountered? ~ Thanks for a provocative NL and intriguing selections ~ Write On!
Coolhand
Screams:
I like when you use both sides of your brain, Bill. Interesting horror newsletter. And thanks for incuding my story Black Cat Bone. Have a great holiday season!
Cassie Kat
Thunders:
Just wanted to write in to tell you that your newsletter this month made me smile! You weren't kidding when you said that things gets silly when you start thinking with both sides of your brain, but I must say, you had some clever points.
And please don't be to hard on me when I tell you that one of the protagonists of my story, Beyond the Gate is named The Doctor. As in, "The" Heh heh.
LJPC - the tortoise
Retorts:
Hi Bill!
I must admit, I always think of The Monster as "Frankenstein". Yes, I know that's really the doctor, but it's kind of like the Eiffel Tower. Originally la Tour d'Eiffel (Tower of Eiffel), it was built by Eiffel, and is simply known as the Eiffel Tower now. Hm. TMI? Like you, both side of my brain appear to be working this morning.
Anyhow, enjoyed your NL! 
-- Laura
drifter46
Remarks:
Apparently you've had too much time on your hands this past week. And just for your info. it's pronounced ...FRAANK-n-STEEN. Fredrick FRAANK-n-STEEN. 
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