![]() ![]() Earlier that morning, when she had set out from her permasheet hovel in the eastern shanty town, she’d had just one thing on her mind – finding Xan. She had never meant things to end up like this. So, in most of the examples we’ve looked at, here’s how the scene progresses: It should be avoided like the plague.’ I agree wholeheartedly, and I shall explain forwhy, why I think authors succumb to the temptation, and how you can resist it. In Samuel R Delany’s superb book, About Writing, he calls this ‘one of the most common and weakest of narrative structures for opening of stories or scenes. However, what happens next is usually where the piece falls apart. Inducing your audience to keep reading is fundamental goal of your writing upon which all higher goals of entertainment, persuasion, education, emotional transformation, or whatever, rest. I wouldn’t read this and think ‘Holy shit – I’m in the presence of a master’ but I’d certainly keep reading. Mineth ducked into an alley and slammed her back to the wall, panting. ![]() I get a lot of genre pieces at DoaTC, so often our first pages kick off with: we hit the ground running – sometimes literally – and join a character mid-scene. The most common tactic I see from novice authors is starting in media res, i.e. They know they ought to start with something interesting – a strong opening bid that grabs the reader’s attention, something odd or compelling or funny or explosive, a well-arrayed shop window, a clear message that says: I AM NOT GOING TO WASTE YOUR TIME. So I think most writers, if they’ve spent any time considering their craft at all, have a sense that the first line of a story or a novel is important. I’d love to see you there! Yes, specifically you. See the ‘Shows’ tab on the right for details, or click on either link for the Facebook event, which you’re welcome to share and invite people to yourself. One is a free Homework special in London on Wednesday April 1st, and the other is a launch and reading in Norwich on Thursday April 2nd. Even if it sucks.ĭon’t know if you saw, but I’ve announced the two launch events for The Honours at the start of April. Just make sure you are writing on the reg. If you’re working on something at the moment, my central message is get down to it. Next week I’m going to go back to the In The Barber’s Chair format, but I thought it was worth mixing things up for a few weeks, just because, y’know, we can all do with a reminder of first principles for the New Year. Gosh, these past couple of weeks seem to have rattled by in a blur of plans and admin, writing and not-writing, gazing at the screen, praying for literary deliverance. Good day and welcome to Death Of 1000 Cuts – making you an awesome writer, one cut at a time.
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