I’m adding a new facet to this blog. Since good writing is the foundation of an author’s life, and marketing is just one wall of the house, we are going to focus in this category on shoring up our foundation.
Story starters are a fun way to practice writing. And practice makes for better writing, thus insuring that our foundation is laid to perfection.
Here is my challenge. Take any subject or genre you want and write in it for 5 minutes. The only caveat is that the word ’stench’ has to be in the first sentence.
Here’s mine:
The minute he stepped into the dark room the stench wrapped around him like the webbing of a spiderweb. He coughed and raised his elbow to his face, wishing breathing wasn’t necessary. In through his mouth, out through his nose. In. Out.
Fighting down his gag reflex he fumbled for the flashlight at his waist and flipped it on. The light danced erratically over the room as he speared first one corner then the next with the light. Where was that awful smell coming from?
Approximately 80 words in 5 minutes. Doesn’t seem like much, but practice makes perfect people! So… Practice! Practice! Practice!
I would love to see your pieces.
(And if any of ya’ll take this and make a million dollar book out of it, send me a copy, would you?)
