Comments | idiosyncreant: another long day in the dungeon

idiosyncreant

another long day in the dungeon

Aug 01, 2009 09:26

This is a meme; it was more interesting this time around. It's partly that I'm doing better with opening lines, especially for short stories, and partly that I've been doing a lot of short stories.

List the first lines of your last twenty stories. See if you find any patterns. (And flist, I'd love your opinions on patterns you notice.)

1) ( Read more... )

pirate's penance, ss jump, meme, walk eager, aolon, backlash girls, writestuff, poisson

Comments 4

tearoha August 2 2009, 08:33:51 UTC

Gorgeous wool :D

The only pattern I noticed in your first lines was that you very often include the main character's name. Just an observation. It was cool to see them, by the way!

idiosyncreant August 4 2009, 02:41:34 UTC

Yeah: to me a character's name is part of their identity. It says something about them I can't quite describe, since I choose them as part of building their character.

I hadn't really noticed that, though!

And thanks.

rosaleeluann August 2 2009, 18:08:14 UTC

I'm extremely intrigued by many of these first lines. Since I've been re-reading some of the Chronicles of Chrestomanci, 5 in particular is interesting. And 19. And 7. 16 too. And I shall stop now.

A fair number seem to be really short yet interesting statements that don't tell much, but just enough to get you interested in the next sentence. 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 14.

idiosyncreant August 4 2009, 02:43:39 UTC

That's good! I am getting better. *weeps with joy*

I've been rereading Chrestomanci, too! I love the way DWJ builds up such odd things from little, normal details and makes such bizarre things feel real the same way. She always pulls you into it very quickly...I don't think I have that down yet, but I am trying to learn.