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Opening Lines and Metaphorical Explosions
Aug. 17th, 2007 11:28 amLisa over at Step Into My Hell is talking about grabbing the reader from the opening of your book. Since I'm particularly paranoid that the opening of Wild is boring, I'm interested in reading people's thoughts on this.
I remember having to do a writing exercise at university where everyone in the class would write a first line and read it out. We then spent ages discussing what we thought that line meant, what atmosphere it conveyed and what questions it raised for the reader. Whilst there's a lot to be said for starting a story with a metaphorical (or mabye not) explosion, I think it's equally important to get the reader asking questions.
In the spirit of this exercise, I set you the following challenge: Post the first line of your current WIP in the comments section and lets see what questions people ask. I'll go first:
‘I’m thinking of leaving Harris,’ Lizzie said, plucking at a loose thread on her sweater sleeve.
I remember having to do a writing exercise at university where everyone in the class would write a first line and read it out. We then spent ages discussing what we thought that line meant, what atmosphere it conveyed and what questions it raised for the reader. Whilst there's a lot to be said for starting a story with a metaphorical (or mabye not) explosion, I think it's equally important to get the reader asking questions.
In the spirit of this exercise, I set you the following challenge: Post the first line of your current WIP in the comments section and lets see what questions people ask. I'll go first:
‘I’m thinking of leaving Harris,’ Lizzie said, plucking at a loose thread on her sweater sleeve.
