NaNoWriMo Series: Writing Tip #3

I thought I was going to become valedictorian, but then I got high.

Help, my pants! They're on fire!

Bob. He was a good man. Too bad he's dead.

These are just some off-the-cuff examples of sentences that may or may not entice you to keep reading. If you are expecting someone to strap into your world, you better hook them on the first line. It's the first thing your audience experiences and most of them are expecting to be entertained. People have SUCH short attention spans these days, so you need to make sure that you win their attention ASAP if you want them to devour your entire story and foam at the mouth wanting more. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you get started:

1. What are the starting events of my story?

2. Who is/are my main character(s) and how do I want to introduce them to my audience?

3. What are some of my favorite opening lines of content that I've read to the end?

4. What is the most dramatic way that I can start this story while keeping its integrity?

NOTE: YOU WILL NOT GET A STRONG OPENING LINE ON THE FIRST DRAFT, SO DON'T STRESS ABOUT IT AND JUST WRITE!

If you want to learn more NaNoWriMo tips, check out the 30 Days of Tips that will unfold this month. Can't wait? Then check out my mini-course on The Basics of Storytelling that's available for $1. I look forward to seeing you in whatever form I appear. Until next time.

About the Author

Crystal Cabrae is a storyteller who specializes in writing dystopian, romantic, and adventurous worlds for animation and fantastical fiction. She is a proud graduate of Full Sail University, AMDA, and New World School of the Arts. Her six years of acting training in both New York and Miami gives her a unique perspective when approaching her characters. She has a passion for sharing how to create stories with the world and inspiring the storyteller that lives within all of us. Follow her on IG or Pinterest to know the latest.