Good stuff, Craig. My stories often start with a tone or mood but I tend to get carried away, delaying the action. I just got a story accepted with two suggested edits, one re this very topic. My submission had this first sentence: "Mickey Barnes paused, heavy wooden door thumping shut behind him." My revised opening: "Mickey Barnes was back for his money. He banged through the heavy wooden door." After that, my ruthless line edits cut the opening scene from 3 1/2 to 2 1/2 pages. Not as dramatic as MacDonald or Stark, but an improvement, I think. Ken
Your post immediately made me check the first line of the story I'm writing right now. I think it's OK. It certainly explains what the story is all about, at least in appearance. Thanks Craig, great post!
Good stuff, Craig. My stories often start with a tone or mood but I tend to get carried away, delaying the action. I just got a story accepted with two suggested edits, one re this very topic. My submission had this first sentence: "Mickey Barnes paused, heavy wooden door thumping shut behind him." My revised opening: "Mickey Barnes was back for his money. He banged through the heavy wooden door." After that, my ruthless line edits cut the opening scene from 3 1/2 to 2 1/2 pages. Not as dramatic as MacDonald or Stark, but an improvement, I think. Ken
Your post immediately made me check the first line of the story I'm writing right now. I think it's OK. It certainly explains what the story is all about, at least in appearance. Thanks Craig, great post!