Powerful Opening Line
What section of a narrative would you use a powerful opening line?
Most of the time, you would use a powerful opening line in the introduction to your narrative, to start of your story and get the reader hooked.
What would a tense situation do to keep the reader on track and reading?
It would often present a dilemma, which might seem hard to escape, so the reader would want to read on, to see how it plays out, and if the problem will be solved, and how.
Where would you place this question in the narrative?
This question can be placed in the start of a narrative to hook the reader, but it can also be placed anywhere, to change the subject midway through the narrative.
Is a superhero being revealed as a supervillain an example of this tension tool?
Yes, in this example, the reader becomes surprised because of this twist, invoking tension in the story about what will happen after this reveal.
How does this tension tool keep the reader on the edges of their seats?
It creates an intense situation, usually with a limited time limit, in which something has to happen before time runs out, which makes the reader feel like they are under this time limit too, and they wonder if they will make it.
What would a powerful opening line aim to convey in the reader?
It would aim to make the reader interested, and interested to read your narrative to see how you build on this powerful statement and how the story turns out.
What emotions does a tense situation invoke in the reader?
A tense situation can invoke many emotions in the reader, such as anxiety, anticipation, curiosity, frustration, relief, and fear. A tense situation can vary, like a life or death situation to a tied match in a video-game.
How would you lead into a question for forward motion?
To lead into a question, you would most likely introduce a scenario or inform the reader somehow that there needs to be an answer to this question to continue talking about the subject, such as talking about a beehive, and then saying "But how do bees know how to make these patterns over and over?" And then answering to continue the subject.
Can you use this to change the perspective or opinion of a reader?
Yes, you can reveal something about something they love, such as chicken nuggets, and describe about the terrible conditions of the chicken factories they come from, using a big reveal.
At what point is it a good idea to introduce a climax in the time-frame?
It is a good idea to introduce a climax to this section close to the end, or right before the time runs out, because that is when the reader will be on the edge of their seats the most, in heavy anticipation wondering if they will make it in the final push.
Which of the following is a powerful opening line?
"I take my shoes off, and sit down on my chair, and then drink coffee for the day, and then go to sleep."
I think to myself, "Was it always bound to end like this?" As I stare out to desolate waste that used to be Earth.
She says "I did not want to do my test today" and then sits down, and continues doing schoolwork.
I think to myself, "Was it always bound to end like this?" As I stare out to desolate waste that used to be Earth.
This makes the reader interested as to how the Earth ended up as a desolate waste, how the person survives, and also how different that world is compared to ours, while the other choices do not make the reader question much, if not anything at all, and do not provoke curiosity.
Does there always have to be a resolution of a tense situation?
No, there does not always have to be a resolution. A tense situation can serve as a means to keep the reader reading, bad or good ending, and is not exclusively always ending in a resolution.
Does a question always intend to change into a different subject?
No, a question can also serve as an indicator as to what the book is about, and also as an ending statement to make the reader start thinking.
Which would be the most impactful example of this tension tool?
A secret organization being revealed, a pencil being revealed as a pen, a laptop being revealed to have faulty wiring.
A secret organization being revealed would be most impactful, since the other two things do not connect to the reader as much, and a secret organization can have much worse consequences.
Is it better to use this tension tool in a situation where the character is sleeping and pulling over their blankets, or a situation where a man is running from a murderer?
In this case, it would be better to use it in the situation with the man and the murderer, as that one has more unknown consequences at the end, and the first one does not keep the reader in anticipation because there is not much to anticipate.