How do I write a good opening line to a story or novel?
The first line of a novel is often the most difficult to write, because we always want to get it perfectly right. That said, I wouldn’t focus so much on the first line than on the first paragraph. Rather than the words you use to open your story, think about how and where you want to start it.There are several ways that have proven effective to draw readers in. I’m listing some of them below, but you can easily find more on blog posts like this one, or by analyzing how some of your favourite books in your genre tend to start.Start with actionNow, be careful with that one. You don’t want to open your novel with a huge BANG, because, well, that’s a trifle overdone already… However, depending on your genre, it can be pretty easy to draw the reader in by opening with an action scene. Lord of the Flies is a good example of this.If you go for this, make sure that you don’t sacrifice characterization and setting altogether in the first few pages, since it might irritate readers to enter into an action scene they know nothing about.Start with brevityIf you’re really stuck on your opening line, try to think of something really short to open your novel with. Let me take an example: “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” This short, snappy format can work particularly well if you’re looking to open your novel by setting your fictional world. It piques the reader’s curiosity enough to keep reading and understand what a hobbit is and why they live in a hole.Start with something totally unexpectedThat’s my favorite one, because it’s the best way to really get the reader to read, at least, the first few pages. You’ll find a bunch of literary examples to illustrate this, but the most famous one is probably:“It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” – George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-FourThis is perfect if you’re writing dystopian fiction, or even if you have anything “out of the norm” in your book. This goes a bit against my earlier advice of looking at other books in your genre, because here the aim is to create something totally unheard of so far. Think of what your readers might expect as an opening for your book, and go in the opposite direction. Of course, don’t keep that for too long, as you might disappoint them!
How to write a good escape scene in a short story i'm writing?
Hi. I'm writing a short story and need a great escape scene. I've tried but whenever I re-read it, it doesn't sound very good. The scene is where the girl (Danni) and two friends, (Brian = brother, and Josh = bf) are in a court room. They live in a "magic" world and have special powers. They are ruled to be executed, and need to find a way to escape. If anyone could help me, I would really appreciate it!! Thanks in advance!!! The scene also takes place in a separate room behind the court room where they are being held. If it's not to much to ask, I also need help adding dialogue into it. I have this already: "Come on guys. It's no use. No matter how hard you hit the door, it's not going to open!" Danni said in a whisper. "Maybe if you use your so called "powers" we can open the door." Josh said with a sneer. He still doesn't think Brian and Danni have powers. "Josh, as we already told you, we have to have a certain amount of energy to use our powers."
Is this a good start to a story (short)?
I'm trying to create an atmospheric beginning. I know it's easy to grab the reader's attention with an action hook, but for the sake of criticism I hope you can help me. Here it is: Sister Elizabeth sat in the stagecoach seat with her head hung low against her breast. Her mind was heavy, shackled with fatigue, and her eyes flickered open and shut making her sight drift back and forth between darkness and recognition. She tilted her head back letting out a listless sigh. It was humid inside the stagecoach, and Elizabeth was feeling the worst of it. Her skin had already flushed a deep red, and the sweat on her brow slid down her face like melted candle wax. She lowered her eyes, and saw a man sitting across from her in the same condition, the hot moisture on his face glistening. His sweat was slippery, and it made his spectacles slide down his nose each time he pushed them back up. He fiddled with them for several minutes bending and twisting the silver frame until it would hug his face properly, but he had no success. Frustrated, he decided to let them settle on the tip of his nose. He angled his head back and read his newspaper cross-eyed through his lens. Is it good? Yay or nay?
What is the irony in the short story "The Open Window"?
i have an essay due on this short story and i need to tell the irony but its so confusing ! also, what is happening during the time period that makes this story a sattire ? PLEASE HELP
What is a good example of an opening statement for a debate?
Basic wayGreetings/ Good morning (or whatever time) honourable jury/moderator/chair, and fellow delegates/ debaters. I/we shall be speaking for/against the motion, ‘ abc'.(Start with your opening argument)Slightly different and a bit obnoxious way:*related quote*A very good morning (or whatever time) to the house. I am/we are ‘your name/ code name/ team name' and i/we shall take the following 3 minutes (change 3 to whatever the time limit for the debate is) to compel you why *put in your motion here accordingly*This is just the basic structure, you can change the personal pronouns as you want to.
How can i open my running stride ?
Opening your stride is a good idea if you are a middle distance runner (800m-5k). If you're a marathoner, keep it at a smaller stride. First, make sure you are stretching before you run. Loosening your muscles enables them to have a full range motion without having the risk of injury. Also, exercises such as lunges, squats, and knee drives can help open up your stride. But remember to take it one step at a time. Changing your stride is tough, especially if you've been running a certain way for a long time. So give it time.
Which opening line BEST sets an ominous tone for a short story?
* A. Enjoying her daily walk on the lake trail, Laura headed toward the funny tree that reminded her of her neighbor. * B. Laura wasn’t sure whether the shadow of a tree or a real person caused her heart to erupt in her chest. * C. Despite walking this familiar lake trail every day, Laura wasn’t enjoying the view this morning. * D. Taking her usual morning walk, Laura missed her beloved dog Jack and thought about all the times that he had accompanied her on this very trail.
Which TV shows have the best opening credits and why?
Definitely the Game of Thrones (TV series) intro:Generally HBO seems to have good intros (I really like both the Sopranos and the True Blood intro), but this one takes the cake. The designers won an Emmy for it, I believe. The video is of an early season one intro, but the locations featured vary episode by episode according to what places are relevant to the current storylines. Thus, later episodes include animations of Pyke, Harrenhall and Qarth, for example (you can probably find others on YouTube). Each animation is so cleverly and intricately designed that the intro is a pleasure to watch every time - and every time I notice something new. It's very unique and fits the show itself very well. There's also plenty of subtle symbolism lurking in the intro (things like the sigils incorporated into the cities and the astrolabe-sun).Plus the music is pretty swell.I'm also a big fan of the Community (TV series) intro:It's a bit out of the ordinary, but fits the style of the show like a glove. This intro also changes on occasion to fit particular episodes - one of my favorite variations was the horses & swords fantasy doodles on the paper for the Dungeons and Dragons episode.And finally, a (relative) unknown: Farscape (TV series)The video shows all three intros (there were four seasons). The progress from season to season shows very subtly. The music was very different from a lot of other music I've heard on TV intros. I also love the visual presentation and the narration by the main character that ties it all together. It really manages to encapsulate what the show is about.
What is the difference between an open circuit and a short circuit?
Hi…Open circuit is called when the circuit is not completed. A circuit must consists a posetive path and a negetive/ return/ ground path to become a complete circuit. When we turn on a switch the circuit of the light Complete and electricity will flow from live terminal to the return terminal by lighting up the light bulb. But when we break the circuit by turning off the switch we make an open circuit.See the image below-first one from the left is an open circuit where no connectivity is present from the voltage source + to the 100ohms resistive load. Here is no current is flowing.In the middle or second picture it is a closed circuit, in which whole circuit has a connectivity and current flow.On the extreme right or third picture that is a short circuit condition. The source is shorted from + and -. In this case there is 0 Resistance. So if V = I x R. Then I = V / 0, now whatever the V is it is always infinite. So when there is connectivity, but the circuit's total resistance is 0 and for that reason current flow will be huge or infinite then it's called as short circuit.Hope this will clear your doubt. thanks for asking.Regards,SaV
Whats a good topic sentence and opening paragraph for my english paper?
please help me, this is for my english class. i'm really bad at writing topic sentences and starting paragraphs. I'm supposed to be comparing two short stories, "The Lie," and "So Much Unfairness of Things." If you could give me some suggestions on how to start my paper that would be great. Thanks!