Today's poster is a bit tongue in cheek. We know that we, the writers, are the ones who must finish whatever writing project we started. That muse we like to blame isn't going to do it. Your neighbor will not run over and show you how to write better than ever. It comes down to you once again.
What do you do when you cannot find a good beginning sentence, or parapgraph? Do you obsess over it? Do you rewrite over and over, then walk away in frustration and anger? It's not the solution to a problem many writers have.
Instead, leave that opening paragraph and move on to the rest of the story, or whatever you're working on. Get through the whole piece. Often, something you have written in the body of your story will trigger an idea for the opening. As said many times, let that draft simmer a day or two or three before you read through it. It's then that you are ready to revise and edit.
That opening paragraph may, or may not, work with the rest of the piece. By reading it a few days after the draft was written, you'll know it's a go or if you need to cme up with something better. Writers know that the opening is important; it's where you hook your reader.
Why, then, do some writers open with poetic prose that offers pretty words but no substance? The writer has given no hint of what the rest of the story will be about. Has offered no question that the reader hopes to have answered. It becomes words that have no relation to the rest of the story.
I've been working on a travel piece that didn't have the right opening. I sent it to my online writing group for critique. More than one person suggested putting part of my ending paragraph in the beginning. Surprised me, but when I looked at it, I could see the merit of doing so. Once again, other eyes on your writing can be very helpful.
In your opening paragraph, you can pose a question, tell an anecdote, use an interesting fact, or use an emotional appeal. In addition, you should use sensory details to enhance what you've written. Make your verbs active. Use all the 'good writing' details in that very first paragraph. Make it shine!
Yes, the opening paragraph is important, but don't let it derail you from the rest of the story.
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