Welcome Readers and fellow Writers, to the December 2018 online meeting of
the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Founded by author Alex Cavanaugh
and comprised of writing members just like you (and me), featuring writing
tips, resources, articles, contests, and
IWSG swag! See what we’re all talking about here and join us as we share our writing
journeys.
*We meet on the first Wednesday of every month – join us and enjoy!
Visit our gracious Co-hosts, and let them know you’re here: J.H. Moncrieff, Tonja Drecker , Patsy Collins, and Chrys Fey!
This year, Christmas songs were playing on the radio
before the Thanksgiving turkey was an item on my grocery list. No pressure,
right? As I wondered how the dickens I’d ever accomplish all of the goals I’d
set long before the days grew short enough to pass
too fast to notice, a much more inspiring dickens occurred to me: It took Charles Dickens only six weeks to write
A Christmas Carol. If that was possible, anything is ;-) More
Charles Dickens fun facts can be found here.
Somewhere between the first draft and last revision,
have you ever thought about how many times you tweak that first line? I sure do
– think about it, that is. After all, it could mean the difference between a ‘Welcome’
mat, and one that reads: “Ring bell and pull
weeds till someone answers.”
Here are a few of my favorite First Lines:
“I have been afraid of putting air in a tire ever
since I saw a tractor tire blow up and throw Newt Hardbines’s father over the
top of the Standard Oil sign.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver The Bean Trees - 1988
“I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.” ~ Dodie
Smith I Capture the Castle - 1948
“Ships at a distance have every man’s wish on board”
~ Zora Neale Hurston Their Eyes Were
Watching God – 1937
☼
This month’s optional question is: What are five
objects you’d find in my writing space.
An
Hour Glass
A
small silver alien made of squishy rubber lies across the number keys of my
desk phone
A
candle that smells like a stack of new books (it really does!)
A
Magic Rub
A small yellow-haired Wishnick balances
(for the most part) on the rim of my pencil caddy
☼
What’s
your favorite first line? Do you have a personal best first line?
Happy Holidays,
Everyone!
“What greater gift than the love of a cat?” ~
Charles Dickens
