First paragraphs (Patreon)

A few weeks ago I listened to a few episodes of Writing Excuses (https://writingexcuses.com/) where they talked about ‘first paragraphs’ and it made me realize that I never really ‘got’ the concept of the first paragraph.

The convention is that it has to grab the reader and never make them want to stop reading. The agreement from the general community is that it had to be a poignant scene. Action or emotion, or something else grabby like that.

But what the people on the podcast talked about was how the first paragraph has to tell the reader what kind of story they are getting into. That might mean action, if that’s the kind of story, but even then, the start of that story doesn’t have to be all action. It can be a setting of the tone, establishing the mystery to come. Getting the reader to ask questions.

Listening doesn’t mean I know how to start a book anymore than I used to, but it is making me at least ask questions about how it should start, and indirectly, where it should start.

On the life front, the office is basically set up. I did my morning writing at the walking desk for the last 3 days, and will continue to do so. The big discovery there is how uncomfortable the stool I bought is, even with “Purple” Cushion I have on it. Which isn’t a bad thing since the goal is to be standing as much as possible. The stool is just there when I need the occasional rest.

I had my cancer check up, which came up clean. 2ndtime in a row, and the first time since I was diagnosed with cancer that I have had 2 clean checks in a row. Hopefully it’s the start of a trend.

And with that. I, will wish you a good day.