Fiction Ed’s Blog: Starting Your Story
Welcome to this week’s Fiction Ed’s blog, now in a regular Thursday morning slot.
We feature news from the Team; writing hints and tips; what we’re looking for at any given time; and occasionally bits and bobs from our fascinating Archive.
If there’s anything you’d like to read about, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line at lcrichton@dcthomson.co.uk
This week, let’s think about the importance of getting your story off to a strong start.
Starting Your Story
I read an interesting article recently, by novelist Liz Nugent in the Guardian online, talking about the importance of a strong opening line.
I thought it might be helpful to look at the importance of writing a compelling story opening, in terms of fiction for “The People’s Friend”.
Once Upon A Time
You may have read our piece recently on the importance of ending your story conclusively – https://www.thepeoplesfriend.co.uk/2023/02/21/fiction-eds-blog-happy-endings/
It’s equally – or perhaps even more – important to start your story off on a strong footing. Why?
The title and first line/s encourage your reader to read on. This is your opportunity to grab your reader’s interest. What, where, who, why – that’s what you’re establishing here.
At this point, you’re establishing the tone of your story, plus other essentials such as era, season, and location – you’re giving your reader a solid idea of what to expect.
You’re introducing your reader to your characters and to their world. You’re taking them on a journey and this is the starting point.
Fiction In The “Friend”
When the Team are considering your submissions, we won’t stop reading because the first line/s aren’t the strongest.
But it’s fair to say that by the end of the first page, we can usually tell if a story is going to be successful.
So it’s worthwhile paying attention to Page One.
