While working on my short story this week I have focused on The Opening.
This is my favorite book in all the world, though I have never read it. The Princess Bride, William Goldman
Since we all know how important it is to pick just the right words to open, and since I’m unimaginative when it comes to creating The Opening I rely a lot – okay, exclusively – on the work of others.
All children, except one, grow up. Peter Pan, JM Barrie
While my go-to list of 100 best opening lines is useful, my favorite resource is Darcy Pattison’s breakdown of opening lines in 12 Ways to Open Your Novel. I’ve always been a sucker for tables.
It’s a funny thing about mothers and fathers. Even when their own child is the most disgusting little blister you could ever imagine, they still think he or she is wonderful. Matilda, Roald Dahl
So today I’m off to copy learn from my betters.
What about you? Do you study other openings for your inspiration? What do you always include in your opening lines?
Saturday, February 25th, 2012, 7:13 am | 
A Timeless Education | 
RSS feed
| 
Respond | 
Trackback
February 25, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Good luck with your story, Bridgette. As for me, I do the same as you – look at other people’s openings. It worked for them!
Have a great weekend.
February 25, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Hey Sandra! Thanks for stopping in. Hope you have a great weekend too. :)
February 25, 2012 at 9:12 pm
Ah, that pesky first sentence. Do we really need them? Can’t we just start at Chapter 2? or 3?
Have fun learning from the masters and please share what you glean from them!
Tameri Etherton recently posted..Kickass Heroines ~ Danielle from ‘Ever After’
February 26, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Heh! It would be kind of nice to just bypass the opening — just have the reader into the story fully aware of things. Make me a lot happier, actually!
Thanks for your encouragement, Tameri!
February 26, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Beginnings are tricky. I always find mine along the way and have to edit back. Sometimes I’ll think of a line that sounds so good but just doesn’t fit…occasionally I fall out of love with my opening and have to find a new one.
February 27, 2012 at 6:32 am
Don’t you just hate it when you come up with some clever opening and it doesn’t fit? I’ve wasted time trying to force it to work just because I want it to happen soooo badly. lol. Appreciate you stopping over Lesann. :)
February 27, 2012 at 8:08 am
I’ve been reading openings too because I rely completely in other’s work and I love the Princess Bride too but haven’t read it. Two peas….
Ali Dent recently posted..Does Your Hero Have an Achilles Heel?
February 27, 2012 at 8:44 am
Ali – you should really look at Darcy’s breakdown. It’s very useful. And, it’s in T-A-B-L-E-S. lol.
February 27, 2012 at 2:23 pm
I got a great tip at a conference once to put a loaded word at the end of the first line (or first paragraph). Love that tip :)
Gina recently posted..Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Alvin Ho
February 28, 2012 at 6:19 am
A loaded word? Hmmmm that is a great tip, Gina! Thanks. (Off to get my thesaurus.)
February 27, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Hi Bridgette!
I’d never seen Darcy’s list before… thanks for sharing :) I’ve been told never to open your book with dialogue. Other than that, as long as it hooks the reader, go for it.
February 28, 2012 at 6:24 am
You’re welcome, Traci. :) I’ve been told the same about dialogue, and then I start to notice all the books that open with dialogue. LOL! As a reader, it’s hard for me jump into dialogue unless there is a lot of attitude in those words.
Thanks for stopping in!