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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Opening Up (Version 2)
These exercises were written
by IWW members
and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its
members.
You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that
you found
them at the Internet Writers Workshop
(http://www.internetwritingworkshop.org/).
Prepared by: Pam Hauck
Posted on: April 18, 2002
Reposted on: May 11, 2003
Reposted on: May 9, 2004
Reposted on: May 12, 2005
Reposted on: March 30, 2006
Reposted, revised, on: Sunday, December 2, 2007
Reposted on Sunday, January 18, 2009
Reposted on Sunday, September 18, 2011
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Exercise: In 400 words or less, write an opening for a story or novel
that will make your readers want to
know more, to turn the page and keep going.
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Read the opening paragraphs of a novel or story you like. Does it start
with a bang or more subtly,
planting a question or a seed? What in the opening makes you want to
continue reading?
The best stories grab a reader's attention immediately. Whether you are
writing a short story, novel or
memoir, your first few paragraphs must persuade a reader to turn the
page and see what happens
next.
Thus an effective opening is essential.
Three ways to rivet your reader are often cited: promise a fascinating
plot, portray a character who
demands to be known better, or write prose that enchants the reader
from the start. There
may be
others.
For this exercise, you are asked to write something that will make us
all want you to go on for pages
more. Don't attempt to write a complete story--write only the opening
that will keep your readers
glued to your page.
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Exercise: In 400 words or less, write an opening for a story or novel
that will make your readers want to
know more, to turn the page and keep going.
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In your critiques, explain what makes you want to read more, or why you
think the writer has failed in
the effort. As always, discuss the writing as a whole.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Greg Gunther.
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