Post #195 – Women’s Memoirs, Writing Prompts and Life Prompts – Matilda Butler
First Paragraphs
For the past several weeks, we’ve been announcing the winners of our First Paragraph Contest. And if you have been following the posts, you’ve now seen the published first paragraphs of the Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Grand Prize winners. We hope the paragraphs have inspired you in your own writing.
I’m wondering. Are you are one of those who says, “That’s a good idea. I should work on my opening.” But then you get busy and don’t quite get around to it? If so, you’ll appreciate today’s memoir writing prompt because it gives you a chance to focus on just one paragraph — the first one in the memoir or vignette you’re working on.
You Don’t Get a Second Chance at a First Impression
When I was young, my mother often reminded me that I didn’t get a second chance at a first impression. And she assured me that first impressions mattered. It might all sound a little trite, but if you want to have the opportunity for more impressions, even as a writer, you need to get the first one right.
Memoir Writing Prompt
1. Open your current writing document to the first page and focus on your opening paragraph.
2. Quickly write a couple of sentences that explain what your memoir (or vignette) is about.
3. Read your first paragraph out loud.
4. Pretend you are a reader of your story rather than its author. Read the opening paragraph again.
5. Now ask yourself (as the reader):
6. Become the author again and ask yourself:
The answers to the questions are not predetermined and the response of authors will be different. I just pose them to get you thinking about alternatives so that your first paragraph can be a powerful as possible.
