Writers and Beginnings...

In the beginning...yes, what? what happened in the beginning? In the beginning God created...

When you're the writer. You are the creator. You have to create a world that someone wants to read about . You probably don't have to "create" a whole new world (unless you write sci fi or paranormal), but you have to create an image of something happening, something that will make the reader say...and...and...and want to keep reading to find out what happens to this/these characters you've introduced them to.

So how do you do this? You've heard it all before but I'm going to say it again. You need to hook the reader IN THE BEGINNING. You have about two paragraphs to hook some people - a page for others, if you're lucky. The back cover blurb, and yes, the inside cover excerpt are yours to choose also and they will initially draw readers in, but how often have you picked up a book - read the back, read the inside, turned to the first page...thirty seconds - make them count!

So, here you are, on the spot - MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN! Whether it be in the character's thoughts/memories, or an actual occurrence, draw the reader in and make them want to know where this is going, what happens next.

Make your first words count or the first reader - your favorite editor or agent will be sending off one more rejection and never look back. Don't blame them. Bait that hook and draw them in.

Happy writing!