For the 3rd week in the Writer’s Workshop, we were challenged to rewrite the first sentence of our story to create more tension. This actually lead me to change up the beginning of my story entirely. (for the better, I think).
Here was the original:
“Halloooo?!! Claire!!??”
Sherlock bounded up the stairs of Claire’s house and rang the doorbell. After what felt like an eternity, the door slowly opened and Sherlock peered inside.It wasn’t Claire. It was her mother…
“Oh, Hi Mrs. Watson”. Sherlock moved his head looking further inside.
Here is the rewrite:
Sherlock bounded up the stairs of Claire’s house, rang the doorbell and peered inside but as the door slowly opened Sherlock noticed it wasn’t Claire.
“Halloo?!!?”
“Hello, James”
Sherlock moved his head looking further inside.“Oh, Hi Mrs. Watson”.
Thoughts? What do you think of the new version? Is the first sentence still too wordy? I am more content with the series of events in the second version. But I am not convinced it is the final version of the beginning. Please check out the Writer’s Workshop hosted on Go Dog Go Cafe by Tanya Cliff!
Hopefully I don’t lose my internet connection this time I try to comment…
LOL
Hi, Liyona! Your opening line has picked up a lot in the pacing. I love that! You have: bounded, rang, peered…
It feels quick and snappy. Then the door opens slowly, so you have a contradiction that extends to the level of the pacing. I also love that you moved the greeting, “Halloo?!!?” to a spot after that opening. I think it adds clarity for the reader.
I hope everything is good there. So glad you are participating in the Writer’s Workshop!
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Thank you so much for your comment! I am really enjoying this workshop! I have not dabbled in fiction writing that much so I really appreciate the different steps that we are taking! Thanks so much for facilitating this!
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My pleasure, Liyona! I am really enjoying this and learning a lot from everyone. I love watching the evolution of stories. Hope you join us for next month’s adventure. I am planning prompts and challenges now. ❤️
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