That short story has some of the strongest paragraphs I've ever read. What opening line (or paragraph) gave you that frisson of excitement that made you keep reading? We start rambling, including too many details. But can we judge a book by its first line? The last paragraph in Bullet in the Brain by Tobias Wolff. descriptive paragraph – crime scene January 13, 2009 by redjeep84 The dark desolate alley, no stranger to multiple crimes over the years, was the center of attention again. I don't have time right now to post paragraphs, but here are more I thought of--not quite opening, but still. But these crime stories tend to be sensational. Option 3: The “me” opening paragraph But what about crime stories? What makes a first sentence or paragraph strong? The first sentence of a short story doesn't just "hook" readers, it also sets the tone and launches the plot. Read examples from classics and bestselling novels, then get feedback on your own story opening: How to start a novel: Write question-raising first lines How to Start Your Mystery Novel By: Chuck Sambuchino | August 7, 2010 No pressure, but the opening of your book is the gatekeeper in determining whether your novel will sell. In a 2013 interview with Joe Fassler, horror fiction maestro Stephen King reflected on the magnitude of a novel’s introductory sentence. This season, we’re turning the magnifying glass on some of crime’s most contemporary issues, from the dark web to dead girl tropes. One story that I can't get out of my head since I found this thread is The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien. They focus on violent offences - stabbing, shooting, murder, rape - and on the behaviour of gangs. Take a risk. Well, sometimes. The danger of the story approach is that we get too focused on telling the story. Dave's Fiction Warehouse holds forth on opening lines, including a good one from his upcoming story in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.Dave was inspired by this list from the American Book Review, headed — no surprise — by the first words of Moby Dick. “It should say: Listen. Most people associate policing with fighting crime. “An opening line should invite the reader to begin the story,” he said. When editing your opening, try to cut the number of words. We want to see how you build setting and introduce your key character. Stories about policing and crime have always been popular in the news media as well as with novelists, playwrights and film makers. descriptive paragraph – crime scene January 13, 2009 by redjeep84 The dark desolate alley, no stranger to multiple crimes over the years, was the center of attention again. Let Pairing brilliant crime writers with experts from criminology to technology, Crime Story draws out the specifics of criminal activity and the detailed work that goes on behind the scenes to tackle it. For a 1,000-word post, for instance, limit your story to 150 words at most, then transition quickly to your tips. Learning how to start a novel, how to write a great first sentence, paragraph or chapter, is key to writing books that pull readers in fast. On this thread, please post the opening paragraph of your scary story. Come in here. A short story is like a chess game: The opening is a huge part of whether you win or lose.