Living the Fictional Dream

I had a “Ralph the Duck” moment this morning. I woke up to the sound of my golden retriever vomiting (though, sadly, not being a man strong enough to lift a 70-lb. dog, I didn’t get her outside before the big “moment” and she puked in my bed).

I read this short story in the Intro to Creative Writing course I took as a freshman in college. At that time, there was this one guy in the English dept. who taught all the creative writing classes (my college didn’t have a huge writing program at that point). He taught me a lot in that first class. I’d never learned anything about hooks, not using dialog as an information dump, etc. I’d written a (bad) draft of a novel, but I was still a raw beginner.

He liked the beginning of RtD because of that visceral image that sucked you right into the story, and that’s something I always think about when I’m beginning a story. I try to capture the reader’s attention immediately. Not with biological functions, necessarily (canine or otherwise). Sometimes with a sharp piece of dialog or a vivid image. Mostly just something interesting. Of course, such expectations of an opening sentence or paragraph can make it tough to begin!

Writing-wise, this week has been a tie. I got one rejection and on acceptance. The acceptance was exciting — it was for a story I’ve been sending out for a while. I think this story, “Hair’s Breadth,” has a pretty good beginning hook — a man in a hovel talking to a disgusting hag. But, I won’t give anymore away. It’s a flash piece, so it wouldn’t be too long until I’ve given away the whole story! It will be out this winter, and of course I’ll link to it when it appears.

Have a great Wednesday, and happy writing!