We can all agree that your opening scenes are your only chance to capture your reader's attention. It's what hooks them into the story.
Your first scene and several scenes that follow are your story's setup.
The setup is essential to master. You have to be concise, deliberate, and selective with what you reveal and withhold. You don't want to give too much away too soon.
Your beginning scenes must accomplish several things simultaneously. And in this episode, I'm boiling it down to 4 essentials.
Episode Web Page with Show Notes
Have a question you want me to answer on the podcast? Send me a Text Message.
Want to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.
#79: How to Write Spellbinding Scenes
#78: Five Elements of a Riveting First Scene
#77: Common Writing Advice That's Holding You Back
#76: Writing Inspiration From the Masters
#75: What Professional Dancing Taught Me About Writing
#74: How to Keep A Consistent Writing Routine When You're Crazy Busy
#73: Beyond the First Draft: 5 Storytelling Techniques for Better Story Structure
#72: Beyond the First Draft: 3 Ways to Craft a Compelling Point of View
#71: Beyond the First Draft: Captivating Characters
#70: Five Common Writing Traps and How to Avoid Them
#69: How to Create Plot Continuity With Character Thought
#68: How to Use Subplots to Amplify Your Novel
#67: The Most Overlooked Way to Show (Don't Tell) How a Character Feels
#66: Two Simple Ways to Amp Up Suspense
#65: Cut The Cliches and Write Something Original
#64: Crush Self Doubt and Write Like You Mean It
#63: Is Your Writing Style Upstaging Your Story?
#62: Two Common Mistakes That Land Your Manuscript in the Reject Pile and How to Fix Them
#61: Alternatives to Chronological Story Time You Probably Haven't Heard Of
#60: Three Flashback Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
LifeBlood
Navigating Life After 40
Science of Reading: The Podcast
The Minimal Mom
Old Fashioned On Purpose