On writing

It is probably good to capture the attention of readers with a very good first sentence to compete against all other attractions. This was my first piece of advice to a writer friend. On the other hand, a bold title or headline (although editors often change this) tells people immediately if they wish to spend time reading further or not.

A score plus a few days ago, my writer friend asked for my advice, more or less, on “how to increase his chances of having his unreceptive articles published.” He asked, “What would you do? Write again or move on?”

My suggestions to him recommended that he not give up but continue submissions. I felt it was a bit of a compliment that he should ask my judgment on the matter. I don’t like to give advice because there is always the chance that you could cause hurt feelings or deep resentment. Nevertheless, over the years I have said much about writing.

Probably most important is to consult, confer, concur, and conclude. Most professionals do this for a good and confident outcome. Now, a couple of my own submissions have not been up to par and have slipped by the editors. Then again, editors have intercepted and blocked many that didn’t meet standards. That’s their province and expected duty to separate the wheat from the chaff. I blame them not, for they have prevented me from appearing in public as a bigger fool than that which I am.

One of the difficulties of writing is how to begin. A good practice is to see how other writers start their reports, articles, essays, short stories or novels. One very accomplished paid writer stated: “The first words of any piece of writing ought to do several things. They should inform, create some curiosity and begin a story. That’s the ideal, but few writers try to include all those elements.”

Here is an example in one book that includes all these elements in the first words: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” You could really go places with that opening! “I am Myra Breckinridge whom no man will ever possess.” Gore Vidal immediately intrigues us with this opening sentence of his novel bearing the main character’s name. However, the entrapment may take you places you don’t want to go.

Thus, the opening line of any work pushes you to read on, but there must be development to carry the story. There must be other poignant sentences of information following the first words into the body of the piece. Enlightening facts informing you of something or spurring recall of something long forgotten should serve you well. Finally, give them something to remember at the very end of the piece.

Of course, a reporter or feature writer for a newspaper has difficulties other than that which a novelist may encounter. There’s more urgency to be specific and grab the reader’s attention, for there is no introductory preface or prologue to his or her piece (with the exception of headline or title)Always consider your audience in whatever rules of writing you may use or break.