Another Thought on Openings

[queenoftheskies]

Do you think there are different requirements for the openings of novels and short stories?

Do you think that the two forms require different types of hooks to entice your reader to continue reading?

Or do you think the openings of the two forms have basically the same requirements?

Comments

[jsgbits.livejournal.com]

I'm more forgiving of novel openings that aren't immediately smacking me in the head. It's like dipping toe-by-toe into a hot bath. Short stories, otoh, have less room to be so subtle, perhaps. Some stories just require an immediate head dunking to get the reader immersed. And other stories have other ways of folding around the reader until the reader realizes the story has gotten into their head.

Um... does this make any sense?

I like short story openings to grab me by my lapels. I don't necessarily need that for a novel to hook me. But having a good **solid** novel opening establishes a lot for the reader and can lure the reader further in--it helps to encourage the reader to turn the next page in a linear fashion rather than encouraging them to skip ahead to the end. I assume. *g*