These are some great tips, I’ll keep them in mind when editing the short story I’m currently working on. Thank you for sharing your own before and afters, and explaining the why behind the changes, it’s something we rarely get to see and it really helps.
Caroline this was really helpful, i'm trying to write my first book and i'm so torn between so many things, i fear that i'm being too “cringe” with my writing because the story tends to look like this most of the times, i fear that my writing is not its best, and i keep forgetting that maybe i have to write 12 drafts after the one i'm writing right now, also i'm confused if i should edit while i'm writing or after, so really thx for this!!!!
I am so glad this was helpful hasan!! I think the fear you’re being cringe is something most writers feel—or at least I do! And I think the question of whether to edit as you write or edit later is really one of personal preference. I edit a little bit as a write, but mostly I just let the writing flow and return to polish it later! You just have to figure out what works for you :) Good luck! Keep writing!
I actually don’t! This was a lesson I taught my undergrads, and so I spent a while looking up a bunch of story beginnings until I had a good list. But I actually do keep a running list of all lines from stories I like as I read, and a lot of those end up being first or last lines. I actually have a post coming out on Wednesday of my 25 favorite lines so far in 2025 — so stay tuned for that!
as a 19 year old girl who is stuck in the first chapter of my “epic novel” this was so helpful!!! also the difference between the opening paragraph in your first and final draft is so outstanding and it shows so much growth in you writer self thanks Caroline <3
Aw emma I’m so glad it was helpful! I think so often we read these amazing beginnings in published novels and we think “how did they do that?” but the reality is they probably had at least several, rougher beginnings before they arrived at the published one, so I wanted to show a little bit of that. Good luck with your novel — congrats on starting, that’s often the hardest part!
I recently read Hell of a Book by Jason Mott and the opening scene (actually the second chapter but first for the primary narrator) draws you right in:
First, a brief line that establishes the tone and direction of the novel "The thing to remember, above all else, this is a love story. Don't ever forget that."
And directly on the heels of this simple statement you get the hilarious, "I'm in a hotel. In the hallway. I'm running. No, actually, I'm sprinting. I'm sprinting down this midwestern hotel hallway. Did I mention that I'm naked? Because I am."
The reader is immediately pulled in to the action. Why is this person naked? Why are the sprinting? Are they sprinting from someone? (Yes haha, the man that the narrator has cuckolded!)
These are some great tips, I’ll keep them in mind when editing the short story I’m currently working on. Thank you for sharing your own before and afters, and explaining the why behind the changes, it’s something we rarely get to see and it really helps.
I’m so glad this was helpful for you Ula! Keep me posted on how your editing goes - good luck! And thanks, as always, for your kindness and support :)
Caroline this was really helpful, i'm trying to write my first book and i'm so torn between so many things, i fear that i'm being too “cringe” with my writing because the story tends to look like this most of the times, i fear that my writing is not its best, and i keep forgetting that maybe i have to write 12 drafts after the one i'm writing right now, also i'm confused if i should edit while i'm writing or after, so really thx for this!!!!
I am so glad this was helpful hasan!! I think the fear you’re being cringe is something most writers feel—or at least I do! And I think the question of whether to edit as you write or edit later is really one of personal preference. I edit a little bit as a write, but mostly I just let the writing flow and return to polish it later! You just have to figure out what works for you :) Good luck! Keep writing!
When you find starters that you like do you have a running doc with them?
I actually don’t! This was a lesson I taught my undergrads, and so I spent a while looking up a bunch of story beginnings until I had a good list. But I actually do keep a running list of all lines from stories I like as I read, and a lot of those end up being first or last lines. I actually have a post coming out on Wednesday of my 25 favorite lines so far in 2025 — so stay tuned for that!
Oh that's cool! I'm excited to read it!
Just posted it! https://open.substack.com/pub/fairytalesbycaroline/p/100-beautiful-lines-from-literature?r=1n6ag9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Your before and afters are so helpful! Thank you for sharing. I’ve always found beginnings challenging 😅 very excited to try your prompt!
oh yay!! I’m so glad it was helpful! Let me know how it goes if you try the prompt!
as a 19 year old girl who is stuck in the first chapter of my “epic novel” this was so helpful!!! also the difference between the opening paragraph in your first and final draft is so outstanding and it shows so much growth in you writer self thanks Caroline <3
Aw emma I’m so glad it was helpful! I think so often we read these amazing beginnings in published novels and we think “how did they do that?” but the reality is they probably had at least several, rougher beginnings before they arrived at the published one, so I wanted to show a little bit of that. Good luck with your novel — congrats on starting, that’s often the hardest part!
i didn’t get notified on your reply, lol thank you so much. and i'm so excited to read your book <3
thank you so much emma!
this is SO helpful!!!
Ah I’m so glad to hear that Faith!! I think my next lesson will be on time in fiction - when to speed up, when to slow down!
I recently read Hell of a Book by Jason Mott and the opening scene (actually the second chapter but first for the primary narrator) draws you right in:
First, a brief line that establishes the tone and direction of the novel "The thing to remember, above all else, this is a love story. Don't ever forget that."
And directly on the heels of this simple statement you get the hilarious, "I'm in a hotel. In the hallway. I'm running. No, actually, I'm sprinting. I'm sprinting down this midwestern hotel hallway. Did I mention that I'm naked? Because I am."
The reader is immediately pulled in to the action. Why is this person naked? Why are the sprinting? Are they sprinting from someone? (Yes haha, the man that the narrator has cuckolded!)
Yes!! This is a perfect example of a strong beginning. How can you not keep reading after this? Thanks for sharing Alan!