Great Starts

How do you like to start your stories? My favorite start is dialogue. My editor's favorite is action. We both agree that the story must start with a bang and hook the reader in the first fifty words or less.

For instance, from the short story "Truth or Dare" my original opening was:

"I hate you!" Sylvie Long muttered, scurrying down the cracked sidewalk. 

Now I really liked this because questions are instantly created in the reader's mind--who does she hate? Why? Why is she scurrying down the sidewalk? And 'hate' is a strong word, with much emotional power.

Under my editor's advice, the opening became: Sylvia Long heard Ned stomp up the steps and into the kitchen. 

At first glance, I cared less for this opening. But looking closer, I see there are questions here as well. Why is Ned stomping? What is going to happen between Sylvia and Ned (the man who stomps)?  The second opening has an advantage, too, since it introduces two of the three characters in this three-character short story, and the introduction is instantaneous.

By the way, Silvia Long still hates Ned. But something physical is going to happen before she voices that word. The build up makes her verbalization which comes later, even more effective than using the dialogue at the beginning.

When I teach creative writing, I advise my students to make a great opening, one that hooks the reader. The editor or the reader must be grabbed by the throat and pulled into the story ASAP. If that doesn't happen, the reader may only read the first line. As writers, we want the reader to read line one, paragraph one, page one, chapter one, and so on.

So take a look at your own story starts and ask yourself, does this make readers ask a question to which they must have an answer? If you start with dialogue, try a 'physical' beginning and see how it works. If you start with the 'physical' beginning, reverse that and try dialogue. 

Truth or Dare & Other Tales launches toward the end of October! Visit VJ Schultz on Facebook or at Amazon Author Central for updates and more information as it becomes available. 

www.facebook.com/VJSchultz   https://www.amazon.com/author/vjschultz

Lifelong Learning

Lifelong learning is something I always wanted to do; as a teenager, I planned to take college classes throughout my life on the one-a-semester plan even after I attained the degrees for which I sought. That did not happen. But formal courses are not needed to pursue a degree in lifelong learning.

Although I made sure to select a hometown where colleges are abundant, I rarely had the extra money for paying for unnecessary classes. Still I value education. Indeed, one of the hats I wear is that of teacher. Most often it is as a 'Creative Writing' teacher. 

Teaching is one of the best ways to learn a subject. My belief is that I am a far better writer now than when I started teaching Creative Writing in 1997. To teach is to learn. You can quote me on that, I could use the publicity. Ha, ha.

Why? Recently, I've been pursuing the knowledge of self-publishing as an Indie author. My mind is fairly bouncing with terms and details of e-publishing and self-publishing, the how-to's, why-to's and where-to's. I'm thinking this may be my major.

I hope I graduate with honors. 

Milestone Reached -- First Book Signing

A new first--last Saturday I sold and signed four DEATH OF BIGFOOT & OTHER TALES books. That might not seem a huge thing to some people, but it was a milestone for me. Now I have sat on the other side of the table and autographed books for readers. Wow! And wow, again.

Before the event, the Ozarks Romance Authors' conference, all these questions ran through my mind: Who am I to be signing books? What if I spell a person's name wrong? What if I don't sell any books? What if I run out of books? What if I can't think of anything to write in the book?

"What ifs" are a writer's occupational hazard, because our creative minds are filled with those questions. I know mine is, but sometimes we have to turn off that little voice, or we may end up hiding in the corner with our hands covering our heads.

What I learned is prepare as much as possible, then breathe, smile and enjoy the moment. It is kind of like waltzing: learn the one-two-three steps, hold your form, and feel the music. Go with the flow.

I'm happy to say I did not spell names incorrectly, not did I make a huge, misshapen scratchy mess of what I wrote. My signature is even legible, and that really is amazing. Even more amazing is I am looking forward to the next book signing event at Wordfest on Saturday. Psst, hey there. Want to buy a book? Have I got a deal for you. :)