Craft 5: On Openings and Hooks
Back when I discovered fanfic in Trek, the only depository of stories was on a text-only unmoderated archive, Trekiverse. At first, I devoured stories indiscriminately, but most were crap. I soon realized that if the beginning bored me, it wouldn't get any better. So I'd skip to the next story after glancing at one paragraph, sometimes one line if
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I think so too. See, most of these "lessons" I think the good authors know instinctively--we're all readers after all. But we often have a few problem areas--and I think there's something about beginning that does cause some sort of giddiness that brings out the mucho adverbs and saidisms and exclamation points and italics...
But this often is a problem too--I think our of sheer nerves in getting going. King says he thinks most bad writing comes out of fear and I agree.
Also I like the idea of making the endings of scenes strong too. This is what makes you wanna turn the page and makes the reading go by quicker (a "button" in screenwriting.)
Good beginnings lures a reader in. Strong middles mean they keep reading even after putting down your story after a scene or chapter break. Strong endings make a lasting impression that means someone will rec it. Agents say that's really how books become bestsellers--word of mouth. There's only so much promotion can do.
And what's true of a story as a whole is also true of each section.
Good stuff. Keep it coming. :)
Glad you're finding it useful
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