 Short Stories: January 28, 2009 Issue [#2860] |
  Short Stories
This week: A Great Start Edited by: KimChi  
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You can't wait for inspiration, you have to go after it with a club.
~Jack London
There are a million ways to start a story. If you're lucky, a brilliant opening line falls into your head from the Great Unknown. If you're like most writers, a good opening springs from the magical transformation of channeled gibberish into standard English we call "editing".
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Where to Start?
A good opening unrolls like a "Welcome" mat, a door ajar, teasing us with a slice of fire lit walls and a warm rush of apples and cinnamon.
"Come on in," it says.
What makes a good opening? The answer depends on the type of story. Some genres and themes require short, provocative lines to incite suspense while others flow more naturally with dialogue or description.
But all good openings are crisp and enticing. The first paragraph is an introduction, and you always want to make a good first impression. You're shaking hands with the reader, presenting your characters and themes. This interaction is a contract, setting the tone for the remainder of the story. The best openings tease, giving just enough information to stir curiosity. While you don't want to "tell" too much, you do have to build trust with the reader, so orient them in time and space and play fair with the clues.
Above all, grab their emotions. The first paragraph doesn't have to hold shocking secrets to keep us reading, but it should make us ask questions. Tight and provocative isn't too much to ask, right?
If you're stuck for an opening, don't sit and wait for the Muse to whisper a fantastic line in your ear--keep writing the middle and the beginning will appear. Or take inspiration from one of these authors and experiment with new ways to hook a reader.
Where to start? There's the old standby of introducing the characters.
Young Goodman Brown came forth at sunset into the street at Salem village; but put his head back, after crossing the threshold, to exchange a parting kiss with his young wife.
"Young Goodman Brown", Nathaniel Hawthorne
You can find the story online at several sites, including:
http://www.classicreader.com/book/264/1/
It seems a basic, no frills line. Who/what/when/where/why. It also foreshadows the plot, each phrase symbolic of Young Goodman Brown's journey into the forbidden, giving us the setting, the climax, the challenge, and the twist.
Of course this example goes way beyond setting background and introducing characters. We can't expect our lines to be flawless gems of literary technique. We can only aspire to it. 
If you normally set the background first and/or want a challenge, start at the end.
Kyra was last to go, although she was youngest. I think we all secretly knew she would be. The surprise, really, was that Stephen was first.
"The Loneliest Number" by Ben Langhinrichs 
The narrator speaks casually of events happening in the past, asking us to read on to get the context. The last to go where? How young is Kyra? Who is Stephen? I'm already horrified and I have no idea what's going on.
Starting at the end is tricky because you must use flashbacks. Plus, there's a delicate balance between teasing your readers and cheating them. Leaving out too much information causes confusion rather than interest. But when it works, the payoff is the satisfaction of solving a non-linear "puzzle".
To create a sense of urgency or conflict, start in the middle. Skip the background and throw the reader into the action.
The massive animal shook, snorted, and beat its hooves on the ground. We were so close that snot from its nostrils splashed at my feet, like ice balls in an unexpected storm. As the bull prepared to charge, my dog, Blacky, crashed against the enclosed stall over and over.
"Invalid Item" by A Guest Visitor
I'm standing beside a raging animal for two whole sentences until I learn it is a bull. Before I can decide if that's better or worse than my imagination, he charges. Luckily Blacky is there to protect me, or at least show where the bull is--safely enclosed in a stall. Perfect timing, as my blood pressure was rising. It's always nice to read a story and exercise your heart at the same time.
Then again, there's the satisfaction of eavesdropping on a juicy conversation.
What a fragrance to wake up to! Thank you, Florence. That was your name, wasn't it? My mind comes and goes.
"BREAD" by Joy 
Dialogue works because it pull us into the space between two people trying to communicate. "Trying" implies this interaction is ripe for misunderstanding and conflict. From the mouths of characters we can get information on background, setting, motivation. It's an easy way to start the story wherever we want.
Both dialogue and monologue can provide information that would be intrusive coming from an omniscient narrator. Monologue or first person narration is especially useful for displaying inner turmoil.
I grew up afraid of my older sister. When I was five, she tried to drown me in the bathtub.
"A Precious Gift" by iKïyå§ama 
This shocking statement makes me read on despite dreading the next words. It wouldn't have the same punch in third person, and it wouldn't be realistic with long, flowery phrases.
What have we learned from our fellow writers? Nothing, until we apply it. Compare your opening lines to each other. Do you see a pattern? I've noticed I rely on dialogue and background too much. I am working toward adding more action to create balanced openings which set the scene, introduce the characters, hint at the plot, and grab the reader.
In search of great first lines, I visited the ports of my favorite authors. Most of the stories I truly enjoyed did not have captivating opening lines or even great first paragraphs. I'm taking that to mean there's always room for growth. And one awesome line only takes you to the next line, so consistency is key.
A strong beginning is a contract with your reader. Once you've agreed on terms, the reader can relax and trust you to ply your trade. But it's only one tool in the writer's toolbox. That's why we don't consider it a golden ruler, just a hook.  |
Do these opening lines make you want to keep reading? Why or why not? The authors would love to hear your feedback.
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The first time I tried to write a story, I sensed my sister standing behind my shoulder as I typed, correcting a missed period or comma.
He burst through the staff room door in a flurry of bundles and papers. A black messenger bag was slung over his left shoulder, the front pocket full to brimming dangerously with a picket fence of capless pens, the strap bespangled with catchy slogans advocating peace and eco-friendliness.
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Two o'clock on Christmas Eve morning, the .44 magnum in my hand still felt warm.
"We shouldn't have climbed under the fence; now we're lost and I don't like that growling noise." Kellie whispered.
I'm the loner. The one the neighbors see, but look away, afraid I might speak. That is if they even see me at all. Apparently, I am invisible to society. I blend.
On the subject:
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Tips and tricks to open chapters, but applies to short stories as well.
Short Story Contests:
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Question: What's your favorite way to begin a story? If you have tips or find great opening lines on site, please share them!
Feedback on writing from life experience:
ridingshotgun
Kimchi:
Outstanding comments on how so much of "us" must bleed into our work. Someone once asked me why Stephen King doesn't seem to stop writing. I responded by saying he hasn't finished discovering who Stephen King is.
Thanks. Great line!
Acme
Self is fine, when there's only one of you  Seriously, another insightful newsletter that I will take a lot from. Thank you, Kim
Kim isn't here today, but Chi thanks you. 
francie
What a marvelous newsletter! I appreciate the reminder to write what we know. You expanded on this concept and I benefited from your wisdom.
I attached a story I wrote, using my daughter's experience as a dive instructor to launch me into the world of expanded fiction.
Thanks. I hope you don't mind I linked a different story, as it fit with the theme of this week's newsletter.
madamlibby 
I pour myself into writing because I'm bored and boring without it. I was away from writing just long enough to forget about the nightmares it gives me. Almost as scary as the ones I get from eating Mexican food! When I'm not writing I don't remember where my mind goes at night. And I don't feel like myself. So I've decided to brave the nightmares and press on with writing. And to give up Mexican food after 6 pm ;).
There are a few wonderful, inspiring, borderline-obsessive days when I know what you mean. Keep writing!
faithjourney
Everything I write is based on something real in my life. The "real" catalyst might be so small and buried in my works of fiction that they're indiscernable, but they're there. There's no greater inspiration than real life.
So true. I appreciate your comments.
Zeke 
You make a great point about writing from your experiences. I've found that the further away they are in time, the more I can add to them and produce a story.
Hazy memories are easier to alter.  I've found it's the fresh, true ones that can hurt or inspire.
Sandy~HopeWhisperer
There have been many inspirations from WDC members in articles, reviews, and written works that have given me the "want to" to write again. This newsletter has been the very best though. I, too, am just a person with no other ability to write well than a deep desire to do so.
Your newsletter has given me even more resolve to write of the things I have experienced in my life or observed in others for this is my passion.
I am ready to put myself on the written page and hope to touch someone with it along the way. I pour myself into my work by simply recalling memories, reading other's literary work, listening to music, observing the lessons Mother Earth imparts to any who will listen, listening to my heart, my spirit, animals and plants around me. I through myself into my work by paying attention to those things and people surrounding me daily.
Awareness of our surroundings gives us raw material, but I think courage in facing one's experiences adds a depth to writing that can't be taught. You have a great attitude and I bet it shows on the page!
cookie_writer
It makes sense to write what you know and is something I have been thinking about. I have only returned to WDC today after being absent with real world trials. I don't know if I am ready to be that open as there is much of my life I try to ignore, but I will not be sure until I try. Thanks, your newsletter is just what I needed.
You are welcome, and I thank you for your kind comments.
Vivian 
Thanks for highlighting "Another Storm." ~~ Viv
You are more than welcome, Viv.
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