Writers on Writing is our regular conversation with a writer or industry professional about the writing craft, industry insights, and their own practice. This week, we spoke to developmental editor Dr Laurel Cohn about the importance of creating a Strong Opening!
How important is the opening sentence of a good story?
The very best opening lines draw us in because they are like portals to a whole universe. They give promise of what is to come. A good opening sentence is simple, raises questions or is surprising in some way. It is an invitation to the reader to enter the story; how you present that invitation is important.
How do you avoid ‘info-dumping’ when revealing a character’s backstory in the opening pages of a story?
Readers becomes familiar with characters on the page through their own encounters with them. As we read, we get to know and understand the characters by watching what they do and listening to them, rather than being told everything that’s important about them in an early slab of information. It works best when it is like real life, in which we get to know people gradually, as we piece together the things we find out about them.
There is nothing worse than getting cornered at a party with a stranger determined to tell you their life story. Even if that person looked interesting from afar, they can quickly become boring up close. Even if they had an intriguing tale to tell about themselves, an avalanche of information can be stultifying. Too much backstory! The same is true with characters on the page.
When plotting, is it essential to write the beginning first, or can writers start elsewhere and work back?
There is no one way to plot a story, it depends on your creative process and the point of inspiration that draws you to the story – it could be a moment, a scene, a character, an idea. It is certainly not essential to write the beginning first. You may, in fact, only be able to nail the opening chapters once you have found the ending. It can take many drafts. In your first draft you are discovering the story and who the characters are; in subsequent drafts you can finesse the plot, and, in so doing, find the best beginning.
What are of the most memorable story openings from other writers that you’ve read?
Hard to pick. One question worth exploring is ‘what makes a story opening memorable?’ Think about what grabs you and why as you read a range of story openings by others. I keep a file of my favourite opening sentences and paragraphs across a variety of genres. It can be a great resource to inspire you to find the perfect beginning for your own work.
Dr Laurel Cohn is a developmental editor with a PhD in literary and cultural studies, and she’s passionate about communication and the power of stories in our lives. Since the late 1980s she has been helping writers prepare their work for publication. She also works with publishers, businesses and community organisations, and is a popular workshop presenter.
Enrol now in A Strong Opening: Crafting Memorable First Chapters with Laurel Cohn, Saturday 30 November 2024, 10am-4pm at Writing NSW.
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