Write First Lines That Will Wow Editors & Make You Stand Out in the Submission Queue
Saturday, November 9 @ 12 PM EST / 9 AM PST / 11 AM CST / 5 PM BST
"As Stephen King once said, “An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.”
While there's no secret formula for nailing the first line, first stanza, or first paragraph, all readers know the experience of being swept away by an enthralling opening that catalyzes their interest in a piece. Compelling openings excite readers for everything to follow and they are essential for acceptance into literary magazines; when reading through slush piles, a good opening can be the difference between a reader dismissing your work out-of-hand or giving it a complete read. Knowing this, it is paramount to capture your reader's initial attraction with stirring introductory lines.
In this multi-genre workshop, we'll spend the first half analyzing craft of openings for both prose and poetry, looking at shining examples as a means of discussing what works and what doesn't. In the second half, we'll focus on feedback for workshop participants' own openings, allowing time for revision and sharing. Participants will leave with a strong understanding of how to craft the most gripping openings for their work, increasing the chances of having their writing published."
Saturday, November 9 @ 12 PM EST / 9 AM PST / 11 AM CST / 5 PM BST
"As Stephen King once said, “An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.”
While there's no secret formula for nailing the first line, first stanza, or first paragraph, all readers know the experience of being swept away by an enthralling opening that catalyzes their interest in a piece. Compelling openings excite readers for everything to follow and they are essential for acceptance into literary magazines; when reading through slush piles, a good opening can be the difference between a reader dismissing your work out-of-hand or giving it a complete read. Knowing this, it is paramount to capture your reader's initial attraction with stirring introductory lines.
In this multi-genre workshop, we'll spend the first half analyzing craft of openings for both prose and poetry, looking at shining examples as a means of discussing what works and what doesn't. In the second half, we'll focus on feedback for workshop participants' own openings, allowing time for revision and sharing. Participants will leave with a strong understanding of how to craft the most gripping openings for their work, increasing the chances of having their writing published."
Saturday, November 9 @ 12 PM EST / 9 AM PST / 11 AM CST / 5 PM BST
"As Stephen King once said, “An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story. It should say: Listen. Come in here. You want to know about this.”
While there's no secret formula for nailing the first line, first stanza, or first paragraph, all readers know the experience of being swept away by an enthralling opening that catalyzes their interest in a piece. Compelling openings excite readers for everything to follow and they are essential for acceptance into literary magazines; when reading through slush piles, a good opening can be the difference between a reader dismissing your work out-of-hand or giving it a complete read. Knowing this, it is paramount to capture your reader's initial attraction with stirring introductory lines.
In this multi-genre workshop, we'll spend the first half analyzing craft of openings for both prose and poetry, looking at shining examples as a means of discussing what works and what doesn't. In the second half, we'll focus on feedback for workshop participants' own openings, allowing time for revision and sharing. Participants will leave with a strong understanding of how to craft the most gripping openings for their work, increasing the chances of having their writing published."