Having a Good Introduction Will Help: YGO Edition

Chao- If we are in a bookstore or library we see many books on many shelves. Some of us get our attention captured by an interesting title or artwork. But many of us know a good story lies beyond the cover. We also look at the back or the jacket for a summary. If the book company is lucky enough we'll actually rent or buy the book. And if we are satisfied we'll check it out again or keep it rather than sell it. So what's another way to capture reader's attention for writing? You can start off a story by writing a great introduction. Introductions are the first insights readers get after the cover of a story. It'll tell them how soon the writing is done (first person vs third), the setting (time and place), and perhaps a character's desire (to get something or get away from something). What's a way to get started on getting started? Take a look at this exercise.

Exercise 1: Take a published story you really enjoy and read only the introduction. (If it's a long one, then stop after the first 250-300 words.) Write out the introduction. (You can type up and print out if it's easier on the eyes to mark up, but actually write out your choice with a pencil or pen on paper first.) See what strikes you. Examine the verbs, adverbs, and adjectives they use; first person vs third; usage of commas, periods, semi-colons, dashes, etc; fragments; and the sentences using the verb "to be" (writers should know to use “to be” sparingly). See if there's any foreshadowing or character perceptions.

Exercise 2: Write in a style similar to that introduction.

Chao- Chao did this for homework using Fahrenheit 451. All these mark ups from the image below were from the first four paragraphs of the novel, only 246 words. You can always look back on old work (no matter how embarrassing) and see what you did before and what you're doing now.

 

Chao- Chao has done something in a similar style. Here's an introduction that will hopefully be in a fan fic some day.

 

 

"IT WAS A PLEASURE TO PLAY.

     It was wonderful to sit with others to talk and move pieces around a board. With his youthful hands, instruments adopted to enlist military orders, a joy spread throughout his heart, and he planned his next step. With his pawn in his hands, and his innocent eyes glowing with pride, he moved a white piece across a checkered board. He glowed with pride. He never wanted however, like jokes seen from TV series, to take out a notepad and strike a line demonstrating his many victories over his opponent, while the reaming pieces to the game stay idly by. While some pieces were captured and moved to the side in a ruthless sacrifice for a chance to an upper hand.

     Yugi grinned with joy as his grandfather praised him.

     He knew he had accomplished something big, and he long for the feeling to last. Later, sleeping in his bed, the feeling would change as his heart altered from family to loneliness. He would never forget this grand feeling as long as he kept playing."

Chao- All stories begin with an introduction. If your story has a purpose, then writing will become easier.