I’m a writer blog

Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

Is it considered lazy writing to have a dry prelude at the start of a book?

Asked by: Kevin Sanhouri

What is lazy writing?

Writing for Yourself Instead of Your Audience

Lazy writing occurs when we are more aware of what we need instead of what our audience needs. Even when we think we’re focusing on our audience, we might be just thinking about what’s easiest for us to write.

What should you not start a book with?

25 Terrible Ways to Start a Novel

  • Starting 10 pages before the beginning. This is the most common mistake I see in books I edit. …
  • Not introducing your main character. …
  • Introducing too many characters. …
  • Not creating conflict. …
  • Starting with summary. …
  • Burying the Reader in Info. …
  • Making the reader feel dumb. …
  • Changing Point of View.

What to write before starting a book?

How to Write a Book

  • Establish a consistent writing space. If you’re going to write a great book, you’re going to need a great space to write. …
  • Hone in on your book idea. …
  • Outline your story. …
  • Do your research. …
  • Start writing and stick to a routine. …
  • Finish your first draft. …
  • Revise and edit. …
  • Write your second draft.

What should the first sentence of my book be?

The first lines of a novel or short story must grab the reader’s attention, enticing them to continue past the first page and continue reading. The first sentence provides you with an opportunity to showcase your writing style, introduce your main character, or establish the inciting incident of your narrative.

What makes writing bad?

Bad writing usually involves endless exposition dumps within dialogue — characters that are either saying what they already know for the benefit of the audience or reader alone or telling us stories of actions that have happened off screen or away from the story being told. Readers and the audience are smart.

How do I stop being a lazy writer?

The Best Way To Overcome Laziness in Writing

  1. Figure out your laziness type.
  2. Process any unresolved feelings.
  3. Create a boring and ugly space.
  4. Use your motivation trigger as the “routine” in your habit loop.

Is it OK to start a story with a dialogue?

Opening with dialog can be a great asset to a story because it’s not common, it instantly engages readers in an ongoing conversation and pulls readers in emotionally to an experience with a set of characters. That’s why dialogue can work very well as an opening to a novel.

What is a good sentence to start a story?

There was a secret meeting in the morning and she absolutely had to be there. There was something about a music box that always made me think of home… I opened my eyes and had no idea where I was… He was heading back to the one place he hoped he’d never have to see again.

Can I start a story with a dream?

Don’t start a book with a dream. This has become one of those bits of writing advice that has passed into legend, right along with “show, don’t tell” and “write what you know.” There are so many good reasons for this. Dream openings are notorious for being boring, irrelevant, misleading, and cliched.



How do you begin a story?

Starting Stories: 5 Great Beginning Strategies

  1. Strategy 1: Begin with action or dialogue. …
  2. Strategy 2: Ask a question. …
  3. Strategy 3: Describe the setting. …
  4. Strategy 4: Begin with background information. …
  5. Strategy 5: Have the main character introduce himself or herself.

How do you start a story example?

Story starters

  1. I didn’t mean to kill her.
  2. The air turned black all around me.
  3. Icy fingers gripped my arm in the darkness.
  4. Wandering through the graveyard it felt like something was watching me.
  5. The eyes in the painting follow him down the corridor.
  6. A shrill cry echoed in the mist.