Today's lesson in class was about beginnings. As in, how do I open my story? It's the first question I usually get so I developed a lesson plan that seems to work. And even though it's geared toward prose and not screenplays (which are much easier with the INTs and the EXTs and the location being first and all) but I still thought the theory behind it might be useful.
My thesis director once said that the page is silent until you give it sound. So there are no words, no thoughts, no nothing. Just blank potential. The first word on the page breaks that silence. It's the first thing you hear, the first thought you're allowed to have.
So it better set the tone for your story.
Take the following three opening sentences:
1) Call me Ishamel. (Moby Dick)
Wow. Three words and not only do we know the guy's name, but we know a bit about his personality, too. He didn't introduce himself, he issued and order. It sets his character up in an instant.
2) In my younger and more vulnerable years, my father gave me a piece of advice that I've been turning over in my head ever since. (The Great Gatsby)
We know he's old now and telling us a story about something that must have happened long ago. But more importantly look what this sentence does to keep you moving. For most people your immediate response to this sentence is to wonder what that advice was. So you move on to sentence two to find out. It keeps you reading.
3) We are at rest five miles behind the front. (All Quiet on the Western Front)
This one's my favorite. Just look at that sentence. What do you learn from it? You already know this story is about soldiers between battles in a warzone. And look at that tense: present. This isn't some old man telling the story from his rocking chair in an old folks home, this guy is still in the middle of it. In fact, this isn't even a guy at all. That sentence opens with "We". We're in this together, right now, five miles from the battle we just came from and will go to again.
You learn that from one fantastic sentence.
That's why these are great novels. They're on top of it right from the very first word.
Love to read about your enthusiasm towards great writing, Emily. I sincerly hope your love of "the greats" writing translates onto your own great writing.
ReplyDeleteI've never been one to be swayed by the poetic side of writing. BUT I am in absolute awe of some of the greats plot choices which resulted in great and memorible stories being told.
- E.C. Henry from Bonney Lake, WA
hey, it's my first time reading your blog, and i have to say that sounds like a pretty tight lesson plan! my favorite of those first lines is probably "call me ishmael," though i can't say i'm a big fan of the novel that follows. in any case, i look forward to reading more of your posts.
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