EXERCISE: Elusive Subs, Round 4?

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Original Posting 24 April 2011

Let's see... before I forget.

Another couple of weeks, right? So about May 8?

And on your marks, get set...

Whoops? Topics? Right, right.

Character: Secretary
Setting: Travel Station (Airport, bus station, train station... take your pick. Somewhere that people and transportation get together. Yes, a space station, or even a roost for flying dragons could certainly qualify)
Problem: Missed connections

Where was the secretary going? Why? And what will happen if they don't make it? What do they do now?

Okay?

Good! Let's see, you were set, so next comes... GO!

Write, write, write.
And post.

TECH: Eight Opening Options (moldy oldie)

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Original Posting 2 May 2011

Fair warning! I found a stack of articles that I had pulled out of Writer's Digest to look at later. Since they are turning brown, it must be later, right? So, without further ado, here's a moldy oldie!

In June 1991, Writer's Digest, pages 37 to 39, had an article by Hans Ostrom. The title is "Eight Opening Options" with two sidebars. One on how to start starting, and one on testing your openings by Susan Ioannou. Let's take a look at them, shall we?
( eight openings )

Okay? Here's tink's assignment for you to try. First, take a work-in-progress or a story that you'd like to polish up a bit. Now... pick a number from one to eight? And here's what you've picked:

1. Conflict.
2. Character.
3. Combine conflict and character.
4. Dialogue..
5. Suggestive setting description.
6. Character description.
7. Express a Desire.
8. Frame the Theme.

Your assignment? Take that story and rewrite the beginning to your new style. See how well that works, and consider whether it is an improvement or not on your original opening. For bonus points, look at the list and pick another type of opening -- and rewrite that way, too. If your new version of the opening doesn't work, take some time to look at why and think about what this reveals about this kind of opening and about your story.

So -- openings are just the beginning. But they are important. So take the time to practice different kinds, and make sure that you use the best one for the story you want to tell.

Write?