by Suzanne Hartmann
Since this issue of Beyondaries marks the beginning of a new venture for Port Yonder Press, I thought it fitting to start this column with an article about smooth sailing at the beginning of a story.

To draw the readers smoothly into your story, you need to hook them from the beginning. Readers are picky. Before they invest their time in your story, they need to know it is well-written and will hold their attention. They will only give you a certain amount of time to demonstrate this and pull them into your story—usually no more than a page or two, often only a few paragraphs.

The following Dos and Don’ts will help you sail smoothly through the beginning of your stories:


DO START WITH…

• A burning question

OR

• Action

AND

• Conflict
• Tension

If you start with either a burning question or action, this will naturally involve conflict and tension. Readers will not be able to keep themselves from flipping the page to find out more.

DON’T START WITH…

• An information dump
• A backstory dump
• A description

When you give readers information, you tell them something. Telling won’t move a story forward, showing does. To draw readers in you need to show them what’s going on, not tell them something.

Give the readers what they want, and you are on your way to smooth sailing. ~BE
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Got a question about starting at the beginning? Or possibly a comment for Suzanne? Go here.