First Mistakes: A Guide For Smashwords Fiction Writers
By David Blake
()
About this ebook
The most important sentence in any story is the very first one, and yet it is commonly neglected by novice writers. This simple advice guide uses real examples from works already published on Smashwords and examines some of the various tricks a writer can use with an opening sentence and also some of the common errors that can start turning the reader against your story before you've even got started.
It demonstrates the importance of the opening line and how it can be used to create atmosphere, character and the vital 'hook' that captures the reader's interest.
David Blake
David Blake was born in the northwest of England in 1970 and grew up on a diet of Marvel comics, 2000 AD and television sci-fi. He has been writing for as long as he can remember and remains an avid reader. His other interests include travelling, vintage British television programmes, vintage cinema, football, eating toast and even having the occasional drink. If David Blake has reviewed your work on Smashwords, please do not take any criticism to heart. He tries to be unbiased and constructive, and will only award 5 stars to the absolute best works, which will be rare.
Read more from David Blake
Together Forever Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lost Souls Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNumber Withheld Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Turning Point Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBacon Double Cheesemurder Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFacing Death Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLong, Short and Tall: stories and poems from our lives Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAware Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTiffany Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDestined To Be Damned Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to First Mistakes
Related ebooks
How to Write a Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Do You Really Want To Be a Writer Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Time is Write! Your Journey to Excellent Writing Starts Now Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting Your First Romance Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bundle Package Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPoint of View Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings50 Common Writing Sins and How Not to Commit Them Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWrite out of Order! Mastering Nonlinear Fiction Writing Without Losing the Plot: 21st Century Author, #0 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe No Nonsense Guide to Novel Writing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPerfecting Your Story Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTrack Down the Weasel Words Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRead to Write Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCreative Writing 101: How to Get Started Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Reader-Friendly Writing for Authors: Atwater's Tools for Authors, #2 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 30 Day Novel: First Pages Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWrite Fiction Like A Pro Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Rewrite: The How To Guide for Revising Rewriting & Editing Your Novel: Writer to Author, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting the Continuing Series and Trilogy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Writing: Ideas and Inspirations (or How to Make Things Up) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting for Profits Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHook, Line, and Cliffhanger: Writer's Reach, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHow to Write Top Quality Fiction Course Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Rocky Road to Publishing: Advice on Writing Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting 101: How to Write for Yourself & Share with the World Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Story Sensei Deep Point of View Worksheet: Story Sensei, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBreaking the Rules Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSteaming Up Your Love Scenes: A How-To For Romance Writers And Others Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting Tips for Authors Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWriting into the Dark: How to Write a Novel Without an Outline: WMG Writer's Guides, #6 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be The Dog: How To Start (And More Importantly) Finish Your Novel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Computers For You
SQL QuickStart Guide: The Simplified Beginner's Guide to Managing, Analyzing, and Manipulating Data With SQL Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mastering ChatGPT: 21 Prompts Templates for Effortless Writing Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Creating Online Courses with ChatGPT | A Step-by-Step Guide with Prompt Templates Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Procreate for Beginners: Introduction to Procreate for Drawing and Illustrating on the iPad Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings101 Awesome Builds: Minecraft® Secrets from the World's Greatest Crafters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The ChatGPT Millionaire Handbook: Make Money Online With the Power of AI Technology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Self-Taught Computer Scientist: The Beginner's Guide to Data Structures & Algorithms Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDeep Search: How to Explore the Internet More Effectively Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Childhood Unplugged: Practical Advice to Get Kids Off Screens and Find Balance Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsArtificial Intelligence: The Complete Beginner’s Guide to the Future of A.I. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5People Skills for Analytical Thinkers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Grokking Algorithms: An illustrated guide for programmers and other curious people Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ultimate Guide to Mastering Command Blocks!: Minecraft Keys to Unlocking Secret Commands Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Network+ Study Guide & Practice Exams Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Alan Turing: The Enigma: The Book That Inspired the Film The Imitation Game - Updated Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5CompTIA Security+ Practice Questions Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+) Study Guide: Exam FC0-U61 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRemote/WebCam Notarization : Basic Understanding Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5ChatGPT Ultimate User Guide - How to Make Money Online Faster and More Precise Using AI Technology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGoing Text: Mastering the Command Line Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dark Aeon: Transhumanism and the War Against Humanity Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Master Builder Roblox: The Essential Guide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Professional Voiceover Handbook: Voiceover training, #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for First Mistakes
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
First Mistakes - David Blake
-1First Mistakes
Getting Your First Line Right
By David Blake
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2013 David Blake
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
Thank you for downloading this free ebook. You are welcome to share it with your friends. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form, although sections of it may be quoted for the purposes of review. David Blake should be credited as the author at all times. Thank you for your support.
Please note that this work merely reflects the opinion of David Blake and is not an attempt to denigrate the works of other writers. Lines quoted from other authors’ works are used in the context of review only and fall within the ‘Fair Use’ confines of copyright law
* * *
Okay, so you like writing. You’ve written some fiction and you’ve uploaded it to that wonderful website Smashwords so that you can share it with the whole world. That’s great.
Until your story, your wonderful story which you love like it’s your child and which you possibly toiled over for weeks, months, or even years, starts getting criticism.
Criticism hurts, doesn’t it? As writers, we all have to be prepared to take it. And whilst we’d all like our written