Impressions First

Before you do anything else in a written work, you must first impress your readers with your beginning. That first sentence, phrase, word, line must be a magnet that pulls readers into your work. If you don't capture readers at the beginning, you won't have a chance to capture them later because there likely won't be a later. Readers need a reason to read further. It's your job as a writer to give them that reason in your opening words, perhaps even before that, in your title. How do you create that beginning that pulls readers in? There are many time-tested strategies that work well such as beginning with a startling statement, question, quote, story, paradox or play on words. But these are just gimmicks if they're not used well. Readers can spot gimmicks like an ill-fitting suit. But if the strategies are central to the heart of your story, essay or poem; if they capsulize the issue, dilemma or intrigue that is to follow; if they send an arrow message straight to the minds of readers; then, they aren't merely gimmicks. They are effective, poignant beginnings that will not only lead readers into your work but do justice to the serendipity that will follow for readers who embark on your literary journey with you. Lead with powerful beginnings and readers will freely follow.