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the beautiful gelreesh

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Post: 96574605_1 created on Fri, 10 Apr 2015 05:00:43 +0000
Posted: Fri, 10 Apr 2015 05:00:43 +0000

I'm trying to start a story, a lot of which I have planned out. Unfortunately, for the life of me, I can't figure out how to start it. I think I want to start it in the perspective of a 10-year-old boy, if that might play into it. I know a lot of people have this problem, but for the life of me, I can't think of anything besides "It all started with..." or something terribly clichéd like that. Help? Thanks!

Alberic of Krufton

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Post: 96574605_2 created on Fri, 10 Apr 2015 09:40:17 +0000
Posted: Fri, 10 Apr 2015 09:40:17 +0000

People talk about the importance of hooks for starting stories, but honestly, at this point, it doesn't matter. Just write something, so you can actually start getting words out and work on your fic. Don't let the blank page be a stumbling block.

You can always edit the beginning later. Maybe by the time you get a few chapters in, you'll have thought of some satisfactory way of writing those first lines.

Alternately, don't write the beginning yet. Start at a place you feel comfortable writing, and do that first page or first chapter later on.

Sir Icehawk

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Post: 96574605_3 created on Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:35:44 +0000
Posted: Fri, 10 Apr 2015 12:35:44 +0000

Agreed. I'd just get writing. Don't let this bump keep you from your story. You'll find the right opening as you edit it. Between now and then things are going to change anyway.

For now, I'd recommend jumping into the first thing that has to happen and go from there.

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Post: 96574605_4 created on Sat, 11 Apr 2015 06:25:57 +0000
Posted: Sat, 11 Apr 2015 06:25:57 +0000

I usually start with the paragraph after that. I find it's easier to start off with the next paragraph and then go back to write the very first lines. Granted, it's sort of like adding milk first and then cereal, but the end result is a happy breakfast.

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Post: 96574605_5 created on Sun, 12 Apr 2015 20:08:47 +0000
Posted: Sun, 12 Apr 2015 20:08:47 +0000

The Covenant Man

Not a bad idea at all. You have to stir it anyway. Am I right?

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Post: 96574605_6 created on Sun, 12 Apr 2015 20:17:08 +0000
Posted: Sun, 12 Apr 2015 20:17:08 +0000

Sir Icehawk

The Covenant Man

Not a bad idea at all. You have to stir it anyway. Am I right?

Yeah man. I mean, it depends on the cereal though. Like Lucky Charms and s**t.

Mime2Waste

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Post: 96574605_7 created on Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:37:45 +0000
Posted: Mon, 13 Apr 2015 00:37:45 +0000

http://americanbookreview.org/100bestlines.asp

Simply because I don't think I need to rehash the importance of just writing, I'll leave this link here. It's a list of the some of the best opening lines in novels.

Also, don't discredit the cliches! They can be used to good (and often contradictory) effect. For example: The first sentence of Catch-22? "It was love at first sight." Can't get much more cliched than that.

U_U YuYevOn

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Post: 96574605_8 created on Mon, 13 Apr 2015 03:12:37 +0000
Posted: Mon, 13 Apr 2015 03:12:37 +0000

You could always try "In walked a pushy Dame...and the rest is history"

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Post: 96574605_9 created on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:51:32 +0000
Posted: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:51:32 +0000

If you're still stuck, try this writing exercise:

Write one line describing the main character.
Write one line about the worst thing to ever happen to that character.
Write one line about the person that character loves the best.
Write one line about the thing that character hates the most.

Pick your favorite out of those four lines and use that as a first line to get yourself started.

Good luck!

Tsuki Z

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Post: 96574605_10 created on Tue, 14 Apr 2015 23:46:31 +0000
Posted: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 23:46:31 +0000

Saying he's a ten year old boy doesn't give us much to work with.
It's from his point of view?
What kind of boy is he? Is he imaginative? Does he live in his own little world?
Put yourself in his shoes and try to imagine what he's thinking of at that very moment in time.