the classics

So, ACD did me one better - she's posting classic openings, old and new, on her blog. Eat It Up. The entries so far really only have on thing in common - they're all brilliant.

There are so many ways to hook a reader. And maybe you can't hook every reader. But I think a good opening should more or less indicate what the reader is getting themselves into and why they should care. It's sort of like starting a relationship. If you misrepresent what you're all about, you may get more dates - but things will fall apart quickly after the first couple. If you let the real you shine through, though, you may find that the fact that you have fewer takers is made up for by the fact that the relationship goes a lot farther.

This metaphor brought to you by eHarmony. For true compatability!