The First Gears

"Break up the larger story into its components, make sure you understand the exact function of each component (a story is like a machine with numerous gears: it should contain no gear that doesn't turn something), and after each component has been carefully set in place, step back and have a look at the whole. Then rewrite until the story flows as naturally as a river, each element so blending with the rest that no one, not even yourself two years from now, can locate the separate parts."

~John Gardner
 

Today is the final day of posting for the first line blogfest.  Forgive the repetition, it's part of the fun. The first line, first paragraph, first page are the first "gears" of our stories. It's worth making sure they are working properly!!

 

The First Line Blogfest

Hosted by Brenda Drake

We're supposed to keep our entries posted for a few days, especially with the number of participants.  So, for its encore performance, I present . . . 

My first line:

I crouched in my favorite box elder tree, fourth branch up from the ground and only one branch over from my sister’s piñata.
 

First Parargraph:

Pink pony piñata . . . check.

Invisibility . . . check.

Cup of worms . . . check.

I crouched in my favorite box elder tree, fourth branch up from the ground and only one branch over from my sister’s piñata. The perfect place for a ninja ambush. I just needed those girly girls to come a little bit closer.

Visit Brenda's blog to see the other participants. There are 100!!

Also: Breaking News!
 

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