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Post by Nittanylizard on Sept 6, 2008 19:15:58 GMT -5
No, not that kind of quickie, lol.
I wanted to see what you guys would think about this - as something to support the Rumble and keep the creative juices flowing, what do you think about having something maybe weekly or every other week that would involve writing something that's no more than a paragraph?
If anyone is up for it, I thought we could start this one at the beginning, so to speak ;D . Last week I saw on ffnet, and not for the first time, an author apologizing for the first chapter being boring/slow/uninteresting/whatever because "first chapters always suck."
Really, though, the first chapter should be exactly the opposite of sucky. It should draw the reader in from the first sentence, if possible. Apparently, though, a lot of writers out there are under the misconception that their readers need to slog past the boring stuff to get to the interesting part of the story.
So for a first writing exercise, how about this:
Write a beginning to a story that is from 1-3 sentences long that will make everybody want to read more.
It doesn't need to be a real story, just a very compelling beginning. You don't need to have anything at all in mind to continue it (though feel free to think past the beginning later on, maybe even for one of the Rumbles!).
Oh, and go ahead and write as many as you want!
I got this idea after reading that one of Dean Koontz's books came about from his sitting down and writing a whole bunch of opening sentences out of thin air - no story in mind, no characters developed, etc. I'm really interested to see what everyone here could come up with.
I haven't written one yet, heh heh, but I'll be back as soon as my house is quieter. Have fun!
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cooroo
Teeny Bopper
All we hear is Radio Gaga...
Posts: 171
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Post by cooroo on Sept 6, 2008 22:13:16 GMT -5
This actually sounds like a lot of fun. It's a really good idea, too. Maybe because I love writing beginnings... also this doesn't require a long attention span. Sounds right up my street! Of course, then there's the other side of me, the side that likes going on and on and on and exploring characters  One quick question: does it need to be Outsiders stuff or can it be original too? But before anything else, I need breakfast. |
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Post by Keira on Sept 7, 2008 0:10:06 GMT -5
I like this idea! It's something I could definitely do, too, lol. I think it'd be cool if we could do either original or Outsiders, because after all, isn't it most of our intentions to write originals too? I like your thinking, Liz 
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Post by Nittanylizard on Sept 7, 2008 7:09:50 GMT -5
Sure, let's do original ones, too! And if anyone has suggestions for more quickies, just let me know.
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Post by missmouse on Sept 7, 2008 10:05:33 GMT -5
Brilliant. I'll do one as soon as my brain wakes up. I love beginnings and write them all the time Drives me crazy when authors say that beginnings suck, because to me, beginnings are the best, easiest, parts that there is! If you can't write a good beginning, I'm not going to carry on reading! |
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Post by Keira on Sept 7, 2008 11:49:52 GMT -5
I think they can be challenging, if only for the reason that you want to get your reader hooked immediately, and you don't want to risk doing it wrong. You know that if they aren't interested immediately, there's a good chance they won't even give the story a second glance.
Here goes nothing:
The kid cradled his pillow, his face smushed into the threadbare couch. He clung to them both like they were lifelines, and maybe in some far reaches of his dream they were.
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Post by Nittanylizard on Sept 7, 2008 14:03:59 GMT -5
Keira - nice!
Okay, I came up with one while I was making chili:
When I'm nervous, I count. That's how I know it took five seconds for me to unlock the front door, open it, and come face-to-face with the barrel of my own rifle.
After that, it was another two seconds before I realized that imminent death was the least of my worries.
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ash
Teeny Bopper
Can't Teach Swagg
Posts: 133
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Post by ash on Sept 7, 2008 15:29:23 GMT -5
Very interesting. Can I use a song at the beginning to start it off?
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Post by Nittanylizard on Sept 7, 2008 16:40:33 GMT -5
Very interesting. Can I use a song at the beginning to start it off? Sure, I don't see why not. We're making up our own rules here, so do whatever works for you. |
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ash
Teeny Bopper
Can't Teach Swagg
Posts: 133
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Post by ash on Sept 7, 2008 18:04:04 GMT -5
Can't come up with a song for Johnny.
"C'mon Johnny, wouldn't you have more fun drinkin', fightin', and fightin'."
"You said fightin' twice, Two-bit."
"Your gonna have to stop mumblin Johnny."
Well that's a start but it feels a little awkward.
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Post by murderofcrows on Sept 7, 2008 21:34:50 GMT -5
my brain is currently fried from being overworked.
if i can wash the muck out of it in the two days before i go back to work, i'll come up with something. my thing is, i want to think out a whole plot before i start lol
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Post by Keira on Sept 7, 2008 22:40:47 GMT -5
Liz - Very good! That definitely has me intrigued!
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cooroo
Teeny Bopper
All we hear is Radio Gaga...
Posts: 171
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Post by cooroo on Sept 7, 2008 22:51:52 GMT -5
Keria: Wow... I really liked that. Those two lines were very powerful
Liz: I loved how you managed to let the reader know your character (at least a little bit) in such a short space of time. Very nice!
Ash: Interesting... I'd like to see what Two-Bit's talking about... just watch your grammar, yeah? The first line needs a question mark, and the 'your' in the last line... I'm not sure if you mean 'you're' or not. Still, now I want to know what they're going to do!
Ok, this one belongs to my younger sister. I was telling her about this, and she came up with this, and it made me laugh so hard that I just had to post it.
It's not very often that Darry goes drinking, but, man, when he does... Well, let's just say we're in for an interesting time.
And here's mine:
When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house...
Ok, ok, kidding! Here's mine (for real this time):
Things hadn't been the same ever since Jesse Donnell had moved into our neighbourhood. He wasn't the kind to fit in, a bad boy if you will. But it wasn't just that which made him different - it was the fact that he actually talked to me.
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Post by Tensleep on Sept 8, 2008 1:48:28 GMT -5
Interesting idea, Liz! And you know me, I have to be in on everything. So here I go:
One day, I was going to look back on this moment and laugh. Well, maybe not laugh so much as sob hysterically, but would you blame me? Knife at my throat, scratchy brick against my back, cold blue eyes boring into mine, fear flooding my system...
And to think it was the first time I'd felt anything in months without a hit of cocaine. A small smile touched my lips, causing the welcoming party to frown. I had to hand it to Tulsa - there was no place like home.
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Post by Tensleep on Sept 8, 2008 1:57:22 GMT -5
Keira: You open it up to some curiosity and leave a lot of room for interpretation. Something to continue, if you ever have the urge.
Liz: I have to wonder what goes on in your mind during other mundane tasks if you get this from chili!  I think it is definitely the way to start off a story with a bang - pun not intended, but there all the same.
Ash: It's an interesting hook because it is so awkward - you want to read on just to figure out what Two-Bit's been up to!
Cooroo's younger sister: Oh yes! A very catchy beginning. I love Darry-lets-his-hair-down fics!
Cooroo: Dude, you crack me up! I was thinking the same thing when I read this thread. As for your real starting, I liked it, too. You really get the reader interested in this new character off the bat. And you raise interest in the narrator, as well. Great!
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I think it is definitely the way to start off a story with a bang - pun not intended, but there all the same.