Musing on beginnings, not for the first time...

[fabulousfrock]

There is a recently revived thread at Verla Kay's about novel openings. I always find this a fascinating subject--I love to see what spills out when I begin a book, and then the tweaking afterward--how much can I convey and hook on just one page when everything is new

Comments

[brennayovanoff]

I really like the tone in all of these, but I have to say, the Wingless opening is my favorite. There's nothing like an impending amputation to pique my interest ;)

[fabulousfrock]

Haha...a girl after my own heart.

[olmue]

The Wingless opening does tend to suck you in.

I have to agree with Alfred, though--when are you coming back to this one?

[fabulousfrock]

Are you asking when I'm coming back to Alfred and Olivia or Wingless?

[phoebe_k]

Wingless and Magic Under Glass really sucked me in... I can see why an editor flipped over MUG.

[fabulousfrock]

MUG is definitely the one that has been written and rewritten and rewritten...

[patesden]

I'm glad you shared these.

Openings are tough for me. I think it's because my story ideas often come in the form of the first paragraph and the last scene, so the first page becomes the hardest darling for me to see or kill.

Alfred and Olivia sucked me right in--but then again, my husband and I deal in antiques:)

I didn't realize the thread had been revived on Verla Kay's. I'll have to check it out.

[fabulousfrock]

I envy you getting the last scene first! Those are the worst for me. I have such trouble with endings...

I guess an opening about estate sales and antiques would be intriguing for those of us who enjoy such things... ^_^ But I think I can make that one still more compelling... It used to be much worse, though, with a sort of prologue...

[juliakarr]

I like these - particularly Magic Under Glass and Wingless (like everyone else, I see! :^D )

[fabulousfrock]

Those are my favorites too... At least my judgment seems to be good!