We can all agree that your opening scenes are your only chance to capture your reader's attention. It's what hooks them into the story.
Your first scene and several scenes that follow are your story's setup.
The setup is essential to master. You have to be concise, deliberate, and selective with what you reveal and withhold. You don't want to give too much away too soon.
Your beginning scenes must accomplish several things simultaneously. And in this episode, I'm boiling it down to 4 essentials.
Episode Web Page with Show Notes
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#90: Four Ways to Master Show, Don't Tell
#89: What Plotters and Pantsers Both Get Wrong About Story
#88: "Outline First" and Other Rules You Should Break
#87: Four Writing Myths Holding You Back
#86: Five Reasons You Have Writer's Block and How to Break Through It
#85: How to Get Back into the Writing Zone After a Really Long Break
#84: How to Keep Writing After Rejection
#83: Four Ways to Open Your Story
#82: How to Write Fiction That Feels True
#81: Story Details: What to Leave In, What to Leave Out
#80: Four Tips to Writing a Page Turner
#79: How to Write Spellbinding Scenes
#78: Five Elements of a Riveting First Scene
#77: Common Writing Advice That's Holding You Back
#76: Writing Inspiration From the Masters
#75: What Professional Dancing Taught Me About Writing
#74: How to Keep A Consistent Writing Routine When You're Crazy Busy
#73: Beyond the First Draft: 5 Storytelling Techniques for Better Story Structure
#72: Beyond the First Draft: 3 Ways to Craft a Compelling Point of View
#71: Beyond the First Draft: Captivating Characters
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