April 2, 2018:  So now, you’ve written a story…

When I finally got serious about writing, I started reading everything I could find on the subject and was surprised to learn there’s actually a right and a wrong way to write. One of the first things I remember reading was all stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end. It didn’t take me long to realize there’s more to that simple statement than meets the eye. Soon, I began to outline all my stories using this simple structure: the beginning needs to introduce the main character and state a brief summary of what the story is about, using very little backstory until chapters two or three. One thing to focus on: grab your readers and draw them in from the beginning or no matter how good the middle and ending are, if they aren’t committed from the get-go, they won’t make it to the good parts. I enjoy opening the story with action, when possible; using dialog vs. prose; and showing the personalities rather than telling about them. Take my first book, THE SECRET AT ONE BELMONT LANE. The main protagonist is on her way home from school. I could have begun the story by: Twelve-year old Erin hopscotched down the sidewalk, dodging puddles left from the morning rain when she became aware Elwood, her nerdy neighbor was in hot pursuit. (Ho-hum!)

Instead, I began with action:

“Splash the puddle, skip the crack. Skip the puddle, break my back," I chanted. My fancy footwork sounded out a splat, tap, tap as I hopscotched across the wet sidewalk. I tossed a glance over my shoulder at Elwood, my nerdy neighbor who thinks he’s my shadow.

By beginning with action, it’s easy to identify both the age of my main character and her nemesis, Elwood. In the next few paragraphs, I introduce the phenomenal twist when the kindly school guard disappears and a monster-dog arrives in his place. By setting the pace of the story and introducing a mystery on the first few pages, you’ve hooked your reader. Think of the beginning of the story as the appetizer--just enough to tantalize the reader into wanting more. As always, the first goal is to write the story, from beginning to end, and then go back and revise. After the first chapter, ask yourself these three questions: Who, What, and Where? Those answers should fall into place in the beginning.

Stay tuned for the middle and end in the following weeks.