new beginnings

12
New Beginnings Great openings for stories © Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

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New Begin

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Page 1: New Beginnings

New Beginnings

Great openings for stories

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 2: New Beginnings

Basic Question

•How will my story begin in such a way as to make my reader want to read on?

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 3: New Beginnings

Analyse Openings

Read some book openings•What makes the opening effective?•Why does it catch your attention?• Does it make you want to read more? Why?

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 4: New Beginnings

New Openings

• Think of new ways to open your story that are as far away from “Once upon a time …”• Here are some examples of new openings

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 5: New Beginnings

In Medias Res

• Literally means “in the middle of things” – so start the story in the middle of the action for a change• “Suddenly the scream pierced the night. I leapt to my feet. I stood totally motionless …..”

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 6: New Beginnings

In Medias Res

• And then the explosion ended the life I had once held with such little regard. I felt soil and mud raining down on me …..• I dropped the container marked “Dangerous – Handle With Care” and the world seemed to slow down.

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 7: New Beginnings

Contradictions

• “Some days I loved Anne, but on others I hated her.”•  “I felt as cold as ice but then my skin grew as hot as fire.”

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 8: New Beginnings

Unexpected/Surreal

• “I dragged myself up the face of the clock and then sat on the second hand wondering what to do.”•  “I didn’t know that I could

breathe underwater until I fell into the deep end and found myself sitting happily on the bottom!”

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 9: New Beginnings

Direct Address to the Reader

• “Have you ever wondered what it might be like to fall from a plane and not have your parachute open” Let me describe it for you!

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 10: New Beginnings

Series of Questions

• Do you ever lie in bed at night and stare into the dark? Do you ever glance in the direction of the wardrobe? Did you ever consider that there might be a world beyond the wardrobe? Last night I went in search of such a world beyond my wardrobe.

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 11: New Beginnings

Dialogue

Midnight already,” he said. At first I didn’t stop dancing but then it dawned upon me …..“I have to leave,” I cried. It was already the fourth stroke of the clock.“But why?” he asked. He wore a perplexed expression.“I can’t tell you but I must.”The seventh stroke chimed out. I had no choice but to run as fast as my legs would carry me, but as I reached the top of the steps I could see that my glorious coach was once more a pumpkin!

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com

Page 12: New Beginnings

New Beginnings

• So, a story doesn’t always have to start at the beginning. Try some of these new ways to open a story to make your writing imaginative and different.

Adapted from “Literacy & Learning” Magazine – Dec’99/Jan ’00

© Seomra Ranga 2012 www.seomraranga.com