The first line of your story is your handshake elbow-bump to the reader. How can you make it great? At this month’s meeting of the Arizona Mystery Writers, we’ll try to discover the secret. Bring a couple of examples of great first lines, from your collection or from your own work, and a couple of bad first lines. We can discuss them all.
The next Arizona Mystery Writers Meeting is Saturday, July 11th, at 10am MST, online. The meeting link will be sent to our newsletter list of members and active participants. The newsletter message will include an attachment listing resources you can use to prepare yourself, if you like. Watch for it. The resource list is also shown below.
It’s ok to share the zoom link with trusted friends who are interested in mysteries. If you want to be added to the newsletter list, send your name and email to amwmembershipchair@gmail.com.
Story Contest: Deadline Extended
It’s not too early for you to be drafting your entry for the 2020 AMW Story Contest. The deadline for submissions has been extended until July 15th. Don’t forget, whether or not you’re a prize winner, you get written feedback from our judges. See the contest requirements at https://arizonamysterywriters.com/?page_id=1449.
Zoom you at the next meeting!
Resources List for Writing a Great First Line
You Tube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm9trk8xRpg Analysis of first lines
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJNMkroM8zQ Bad Writing Advice (humorous)
Article:
https://www.well-storied.com/blog/write-strong-opening-lines
https://writersrelief.com/2016/01/07/write-great-first-line/
http://americanbookreview.org/100BestLines.asp
https://www.williamxadams.org/2020/07/01/how-dark-and-stormy-was-it/
