One thing that entering RWA contests did for me was make me focus on the first paragraph of my book. Don’t ignore that old adage ‘you only have one chance to make a first impression.’
Some writers may believe that a book should start at the beginning of the story. I say no. A book should start where the action has tension and interest. The rest is back story that can be filled in with a conversation.
Here are some examples. Tell me what you think.
***
Year of our Lord 1276
“By God, drag her down here! Naked if you must! Bread and water from now to eternity if you can’t!” Sir Marcus Blackwell slammed his fist on the well-worn table and the sound echoed back from every direction. Of all the bad luck. Forced into marriage with a foul-mouthed, murderous widow.
He clenched his teeth when the next bout of high-pitched screams and curses exploded from the floor above. Crashes, clanging, and banging followed. He cringed as the Lady Ann’s strident screaming rang throughout the stone manor and probably into the courtyard.
Here are other samples of a book starts:
Like a naked goddess, she arose from the top pool in the Roman bathhouse. Like Venus in a fountain, her melon breasts dripped with water and rosy nipples pointed where they met the cooler air. She took a linen from the ancient mosaic floor and dried herself inch by inch with her eyes closed.
***
The door chimes clanged and two large men, carrying a third, burst into the tea shop. Suzanne Burton jumped up and her freshly made coffee toppled onto her lap. Hot. Hot. Hot. She peeled off her scalding sweat pants and wiped her legs.
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