Q&A a
la Ann Landers
Metaphors
and Your Novel's First Sentence ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Question:
One of my readers contacted me and asked about using a series
(several metaphors at once) of metaphors that were also foreshadowing as an
opening paragraph for his novel.
Answer:
I've never seen anything--book or short story--open with a set of
metaphors. As promising as they seem (including the foreshadowing aspect), it
is my feeling that they're not enough of a hook for an opening paragraph. You
may want to read Lisa Cron's section on openings in her book Wired for Story. (http://bitly.com/WiredforStroy).
The first sentence of any writing is absolutely vital. But for fiction it is part of that hook that makes readers want to want
to know what is happening to a person--in order to get people (including
contest judges) to continue reading. Metaphors can be overdone. Not to
discourage original ideas, but usually metaphors must be truly integral to the
story--so much so that the reader--who is caught up in the story--hardly
notices they are there.
Of course, the idea is so unusual that if your name were Hemingway
or Wolfe you might get away with it--even be praised for it. But the
practical advice-in the early or even middle stages of a writing career--is to
stay closer to the tried and true for what catches and keeps people
reading. There is a reason these rules (I know most writers are not much
for that word “rules.”) have worked for so long--have in
fact--developed over the decades. That reason is: They work!
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Carolyn Howard-Johnson edits, consults. and speaks on issues of publishing. Find her The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success (How To Do It Frugally series of book for writers)
. Learn more about her other authors' aids at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/writers_books.htm , where writers will find lists and other helps including Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips 
on the Resources for Writers page. She blogs on all things publishing (not just editing!) at her Sharing with Writers blog. She tweets writers' resources at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo . Please tweet this post to your followers. We all need a little help with editing. (-:
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