Here’s a bite-sized explanation of this new format:

One theme. Four tips, four applications.

This week’s theme: Beginnings.

Story

There are so many opinions about how a novel should open—action, interiority, description, dialogue. And there’s a bestseller to break every “rule.”

You don’t need the best opener for your story. You need the best opener for your story.

Application: Rewrite the opening paragraphs for your WIP with a different technique—e.g., if you started with action, write another version focused on interiority or dialogue. Let it sit for a day. Then read them both and see which opening resonates more.

Scene

Sometimes you have to write a scene to discover what it’s really about. Only then can you decide if your opening sentences are worth their weight.

Application: Choose a scene. Read the first 500 words. Cut every sentence that won’t directly inspire your reader to keep reading. (Save the original for comparison.)

Sentence

“The next time you struggle with a sentence, rewrite it by placing subject and verb at the beginning.” – Roy Peter Clark

This is not how you write first drafts. It is how you write second, fourth, and eleventy-seventh drafts.

Application: When you’re revising a scene that just isn’t clicking, rewrite the scene (or a portion of it) with sentences that start with a subject and a verb. The result is your scene’s substance. Does the logic hold?

Something Different

Watch the first scene of the first episode of Reacher (up to 2:30 in this video). Note the simple, unspoken clarity of Reacher’s character compared to the actions and dialogue surrounding him.

Application: Read the first scene of your WIP. How does the scene’s main character contrast with the world around them? How quickly do we discover that contrast?

What do you think about the new format? Reply to this email to let me know.

Thanks for reading Avocado Bites!

^{Avocado Bites is a publication of Avocado Tree Press, LLC, that helps you revise your stories one bite at a time. We love working with indie and traditionally published authors on fiction manuscripts—and if that’s you, welcome to our target audience.}

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^{Addison Horner is the chief editor of Avocado Tree Press. Here’s his newsletter. It’s different but still pretty good.}