199 5 Let me tell you a story … Example: Tell: When I got outside, it was very cold. Show: When I opened the door, I felt the cold hit me like a wall. My eyes teared up from the freezing wind. 13 Practise writing opening lines Find a painting, a photo or an illustration in your textbook that inspires you to write a story. Write three different openings to the same story: one where you report something dramatic, one where you start with direct speech, and one where you describe the surroundings. You can find examples of illustrations that might inspire you on page 6, 49 and 149. How to start a short story The opening lines of your story should make the reader interested in reading the rest of the story. Short stories often start in the middle of the action. We call this technique in medias res. Here are three different ways of starting in the middle of the action: 1 Start by reporting something dramatic: I stopped briefly to catch my breath. It felt as if my lungs would burst. Why was I being followed? 2 Start with direct speech to introduce characters: “If you want to come out of this alive, you need to listen closely,” Jason said and leaned in closer. 3 Describe the surroundings to set the mood: The sun was just about to come up behind the green hills. Slowly, you could see the little, quiet village where everyone was sleeping. Nobody there knew that this day would be anything but normal. Hæfniviðmið • Samið texta og leikið sér með málið þar sem sköpunargáfan og ímyndunaraflið fá að njóta sín.
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