Today’s
blog is a continuation of the “Write” Start series. Along with appealing to the
readers with unexpected events or situations and stirring their curiosity, try writing
the opening with an image. Focus on a sensory detail—see, hear, touch, taste,
smell—with the first line. In my picture
book, DEAR KOMODO DRAGON, the opening focuses on a visual setting:
Over on Komodo Island
living, breathing dragons, giant, man-eating dragons, sharp-clawed and fierce,
stomp through the wood and lurk in the grass, ready to attack.
The goal
is to immediately engross the reader in the setting, hooked by the image.
Background information and context can come later.
Beginning
with an image provides a pivotal moment that creates an interesting mental
picture. First lines are difficult to write. If we can provide the readers with
information to paint a picture in their minds, they are more likely to keep
turning the pages. The opening scene is the make-or-break moment for the
reader. Either engage immediately, or many, maybe most, readers will close the
book and choose another.
Call
for Submissions for Young Writers:
Skipping Stones Magazine. Writings (essays, stories, letters to the editor, riddles and proverbs, etc.) should be typed or neatly handwritten and limited to 1,000 words and poems to 30 lines. We encourage writings in all languages with an English translation, if possible. And, we love illustrations! Please send originals of your drawings, paintings, or photos to our post office box address below. Include your name, age, and address along with your submission. We welcome electronic submissions as well.
Skipping Stones Magazine. Writings (essays, stories, letters to the editor, riddles and proverbs, etc.) should be typed or neatly handwritten and limited to 1,000 words and poems to 30 lines. We encourage writings in all languages with an English translation, if possible. And, we love illustrations! Please send originals of your drawings, paintings, or photos to our post office box address below. Include your name, age, and address along with your submission. We welcome electronic submissions as well.
Submissions guidelines at http://www.skippingstones.org/submissions.htm
Call for
Submissions for Adult Writers:
Boys’ Quest Magazine. We are looking for lively writing, most of it
from a 10-year-old boy¹s point of view, with the boy or boys directly involved
in an activity that is both wholesome and unusual. Our current need is
nonfiction articles accompanied by strong supporting photos.
Nonfiction pieces that
are accompanied by clear photos with high resolution are far more likely to be
accepted than those that need illustrations.
The ideal length of a BOYS'
QUEST nonfiction piece is 350-375 words for a one-page magazine article or
700-750 words for a two-page magazine article.
Submissions guidelines
at http://funforkidzmagazines.com/bq_guidelines
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