I want to start a novel in the worst way! What is it?

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The legendary Bulwer-Lytton competition (San Jose State University) is "one of those" writing competitions: the worst opening line ...

Posted by DrStrangelove 3 months ago

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Andrea

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I do wonder what the question is, but.....Obviously, you do not want to emulate a beginning paragraph that was submitted to a competition where the winner is "the worst beginning".

I would look at books you have enjoyed reading, especially ones that caught your attention from the beginning. There are as many "right" answers to "how to begin?" AS THERE ARE LITERARY TYPES AND STYLES.

Posted 3 months ago

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DrStrangelove (thinks this answer is Helpful)

I like a dramatic read as much as anyone else, but I must admit that my favorite books are humorous. The funnier, the better. I like to laugh!

One book is, "Ghosts."

"There was a horrible noise rattling through the halls of Bambury Castle. It was high and melancholy, punctuated with the occasional shriek and crash of pottery as it hit the walls. Optimists hoped it was King Syes, back from perdition to ruin their lives (or maybe even raise taxes again). Pessimists grumbled that it could have been the dulcet voice of Prncess Gail, condemned in King Syes' will to marry Ulrich, the Scribe, who made Pee-Wee Herman look like Mr. Universe. Then again, the only thing any harder to live with than a furious ghost has to be an upset teenager . . .."

I mean, if you want to talk about a rotten way to open a novel, that is it! The book was hysterical!

Posted 2 months ago

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Andrea

This opening paragraph may be "a bit" long winded, but it certainly opens up a format for humor. This seems to be just what you enjoyed about the book. A beginning should bring you in to the whole of the book by setting the tone. This author wanted to set the tone for a "hysterical" book. Disconnected and rambling, but meant to amuse.

Posted 2 months ago

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