January 16, 2019 9:30 am
by Shutta Crum (from Thanksgiving 2011)
Storystorm is about beginnings—first ideas, first notes, and then, hopefully, first drafts from the exciting tidbits we’ve jotted down during the month. While thinking about beginnings I remembered one of my first writing classes: high school journalism. I don’t remember much from the class except that a good lead should always include the answers to four important questions: the 4 Ws. These are: who, what, where, and when. After a good lead, we were taught the story could move on into the details of how, or why.
Good leads are something that the news reader doesn’t really notice, but are crucial to keeping the reader’s attention. They quickly dispense with niggly concerns and important facts so the reader can settle into the story. It is a technique every picture book writer ought to know.
Answering those four questions right up front in any story tucks the reader in. However, as with many aspects of writing the picture book, the writer for the very young has to do it faster, with fewer words, and sometimes in verse!
Better than hearing this from me—and more fun—is studying how some of our best picture book writers, and illustrators, do it. Below are some of my favorite examples, in prose and in verse.
(Prose) Rosemary Wells, from MAX’S CHOCOLATE CHICKEN.
“One morning somebody put a chocolate chicken in the birdbath.”
Let’s parse this opening line. When: one morning. Who: somebody. (We also see a picture of that somebody—Poppa?) What: put a chocolate chicken. Where: in the birdbath. (And what a great hook for a young child! Why would someone do that?)
(Verse) Karma Wilson, from BEAR SNORES ON.
“In a cave in the woods
in his deep, dark lair,
through the long, cold winter
sleeps a great brown bear.”
Where: in a cave in the woods in a deep dark lair. When: through the long cold winter. What: sleeps. Who: a great brown bear. (And she did all this with perfect meter! Note: be sure to read Karma’s earlier post, on Nov. 2nd.)
Of course, we are blessed by the illustrations in our picture books. In addition to everything else they do so well, the art carries a great deal of this initial informational load. If the setting is a farm, we see that and it may not be mentioned at all in the text. If it is nighttime, or winter, or the main character is a bear . . . these may, also, not be directly mentioned. If it is not said in the text, it is then incumbent on the illustrator to add that context. Look at Jane Yolen’s Caldecott-winning book, illustrated by John Schoenherr.
(Free verse) Jane Yolen, from OWL MOON.
“It was late one winter night,
long past my bedtime,
when Pa and I went owling.”
When: late one winter night, long past my bedtime. Who: Pa and I. What: went owling. There is no mention of where . . . that is covered by the beautiful farm scene in the illustration.
Occasionally, leaving out more than one of these details may actually enhance the story by focusing the reader’s attention on another detail that may be of more importance. For example, study Jon Klassen’s new book I WANT MY HAT BACK. There is no where indicated (except for a few rocks and sprigs of grass). Nor, even a when. Who and what are of prime importance. (Who: I. What: Want my hat back.) Against almost completely blank pages readers really notice those eyes on the bear and the rabbit. The facial expressions are subtle, yet so important for understanding the story. In an intensely illustrated background, the significance of those looks might get lost. We assume it is some place where there are bears and rabbits and other animals. And the when is unimportant. As in all things, once you know the rules you also know when it may be best to break them.
(Prose) Jon Klassen. From I WANT MY HAT BACK.
“My hat is gone.
I want it back.”
So study first lines for how good writers quickly dispense with the basic questions any reader has about the world of the story. Then once you’ve tucked your readers in, you can lead them on to discover the answers to those other two important questions: how the story unfolds and why.
Shutta Crum is the author of several middle-grade novels, more than a dozen picture books, and many poems and magazine articles. She adores speaking about children’s books and is an oft-requested presenter, guest lecturer, panel moderator, and keynote speaker. Her latest picture book is MOUSELING’S WORDS (Clarion). It’s her auto-mouse-biography—about a mouse who becomes a swashbuckler of words. The idea came from one of Tara’s Storystorm (PiBoIdMo) challenges. Thanks Tara for challenging us!
You can follow Shutta on her blog & website at shutta.com, on Twitter @Shutta and on Facebook here.
At the conclusion of Storystorm, prize packs will be given away (books, swag, writing tools). Comment once on this blog post to enter into the prize pack drawing.
You’re eligible to win if you’re a registered Storystorm participant and you have commented once below.
Good luck!
Posted by Tara Lazar
Categories: STORYSTORM 2019
Tags: Shutta Crum
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What great advice served up with great examples! Thanks, Shutta!
By jheitman22 on January 16, 2019 at 9:36 am
Thank you! This is very helpful.
By Elizabeth Steinglass on January 16, 2019 at 9:36 am
You had me at ‘Storystorm is about beginnings – …tidbits we’ve jotted down over the month.’ The Ws all present and accounted for!
By Katie Engen on January 16, 2019 at 9:39 am
Love these examples! And your clear instruction. Thanks!
By Amy Houts on January 16, 2019 at 9:40 am
Great advice to pull a reader right in to a story! Thank you!
By Jane Dippold on January 16, 2019 at 9:41 am
Thanks Shutta! Great reminder to save the backstory and dive into the point of the story. Good advice!
By Writer on the run on January 16, 2019 at 9:42 am
I love a first line that piques my curiosity. Thanks for the reminder of how important those lines are, Shutta!
By pathaap on January 16, 2019 at 9:42 am
Love this. Must look at this in other books and in my own writing. Thank you.
By Barbara Senenman on January 16, 2019 at 9:42 am
What a great reminder to rely on the basics, know the rules, and know how to use those rules effectively. Thank you for the great examples. — Kim
By naturewalkwithgod on January 16, 2019 at 9:43 am
Today’s job…redo all my opening lines!
By Laura Rackham on January 16, 2019 at 9:46 am
I can’t wait to go through my stories and see how I’m doing.
By David McMullin on January 16, 2019 at 9:46 am
A wonderful post with such good examples of the importance of good beginnings.
By June Sengpiehl on January 16, 2019 at 9:46 am
Great tip! Thanks for your post. (I love it when folks give examples!)
By Louann Brown on January 16, 2019 at 9:47 am
Hi Shuta! I love exploring first lines (and last ones too), and your examples are fantastic. Thanks for guiding us through the 4 Ws process! ❤️
By Joana Pastro on January 16, 2019 at 9:48 am
Nice post. This is an interesting way of looking at picture books.
By storyfairy on January 16, 2019 at 9:49 am
I like the idea of studying first lines!
By Melanie Ellsworth on January 16, 2019 at 9:49 am
I love Bear Snores On! A wonderful post with solid advice. What I like most is that I can share this advice with my middle school writers or my adult crit group. Thanks for sharing your talent with SS today.
By Linda Mitchell on January 16, 2019 at 9:49 am
This morning, sitting on my chair ball and checking my email, I’m grateful for this tip to first answer who, what, where when. Thanks
By andreesantini on January 16, 2019 at 9:50 am
My new writing goal: “tuck the reader in” with a good lead and attention getting Ws.
By Lori Dubbin on January 16, 2019 at 9:53 am
One morning great advice came flowing from my laptop! Thanks Shutta!
By Daryl Gottier on January 16, 2019 at 9:54 am
Thank you, Shutta. A good post to read at the start of my day. I love to learn from the masters and now I can examine carefully with this in mind & revise my own texts to keep these Ws in mind. I like noticing the rulebreaking too and then thinking about why it works for that book. Happy Mouseling Swashbuckling debut!
By M Lapointe Malchik (@imartytweet) on January 16, 2019 at 9:54 am
Thank you again Shutta. Great advice to read, and read…and to disect.
Thank you for posting.
By Mark Bentz on January 16, 2019 at 10:00 am
Thanks for today’s inspiration Shutta
By KATHY Z.PRICE on January 16, 2019 at 10:00 am
Thanks for this! (And in a world full of firsts, here’s to…hopefully…first publications!)
By Jenny Boyd on January 16, 2019 at 10:01 am
This is so helpful! Thank you!
By Lisa Freund on January 16, 2019 at 10:02 am
I remember learning in school about who, where, what, and when. Why, would also be included depending on the assignment. It’s so simple, but makes sense in setting up the story.
By Ashley Congdon on January 16, 2019 at 10:03 am
Awesome! I am going to start analyzing first lines.
By lindaschueler on January 16, 2019 at 10:03 am
Thank you Shutta for reminding us about the four Ws and the importance of the first line to engage readers.
By Carole Calladine on January 16, 2019 at 10:03 am
Great thing to look at!
By Cindy Faughnan on January 16, 2019 at 10:04 am
What fantastic advice! Thank you
By Jay on January 16, 2019 at 10:05 am
First lines are the hardest to get right. Thank you Shutta for laying some thoughtful approaches to help.
By narmo2400 on January 16, 2019 at 10:05 am
Great idea! Thanks!
By beckylevine on January 16, 2019 at 10:05 am
Good starting point. Thank you
By Hélène Sabourin on January 16, 2019 at 10:05 am
Thank you for your first lines thoughts…
By Clare Juliet Clare Bell on January 16, 2019 at 10:06 am
Love to study first lines. Thanks for this post!
By SARAH Meade on January 16, 2019 at 10:06 am
I love the ‘tuck the reader in’ visual. Thanks for the great advice with examples!
By Darcee A Freier on January 16, 2019 at 10:07 am
Great examples!
By smpeace on January 16, 2019 at 10:10 am
This is such a great idea – for my students as well! Many are having difficulty describing characters and settings – but if they start with it in the lead – it may help if fall into place! Thank you!
By Anne LeBlanc (@AnneLeBlanc2) on January 16, 2019 at 10:10 am
Wow, Shutta, what a great post. Back to basics is always good. I really like your choices. All of those books are winners. Now, to go back and look at my openings in light of this reminder.
By Sherri Jones Rivers on January 16, 2019 at 10:11 am
I absolutely love the idea of tucking the reader into the story. Mom always tucks me into bed with her. It’s sweet… But by midnight, she says, “Shove over, chubby. How can a 23 pound dog take up so much room?!” Less sweet….
Love and licks,
Cupcake
By Genevieve Petrillo on January 16, 2019 at 10:14 am
Thanks for showing us how to anchor our stories, Shutta!
By Andria Rosenbaum on January 16, 2019 at 10:15 am
I lived writing for my high school newspaper, but until now, never thought of applying the gold standard for opening lines to my children’s stories. I need to review two stories I’ve written using this lens. Thank you so much for sharing!
By carmelamccainsimmons on January 16, 2019 at 10:15 am
I remember my Language Arts teacher also reminding us of the 4 W’s. Thanks for reminding me of an easy way to include everything into the picture book!
By Joan Swanson on January 16, 2019 at 10:17 am
Thanks for the reminders of some great books! The Jon Klassen one is new to me, and I’ll have to check into that one!
By Becky Ross Michael on January 16, 2019 at 10:19 am
Love this idea. Will be looking at opening lines and trying to write stronger ones. Thanks for the great post!
By Maria Bostian on January 16, 2019 at 10:19 am
A great tip that should be taught again and again. Thank you for the post.
By Deb Huard, Writer on January 16, 2019 at 10:19 am
Nice way to start when you don’t know how to start.
By Catrine Kyster on January 16, 2019 at 10:20 am
This is amazingly helpful — and so simple! Thanks for the repost:)
By thecrowsmap on January 16, 2019 at 10:20 am
I love how all the Storystorm guest bloggers boil everything down to simple lines we can all remember! Thanks for sharing 🙂
By Michele Meleen on January 16, 2019 at 10:20 am
Great post, Shutta!! Thank you for reminding us about the four W’s and the importance of “tucking the reader in” with our opening line.
By saputnam on January 16, 2019 at 10:21 am
Remarkable first lines are truly an art form. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Shutta!
By C.L. Murphy on January 16, 2019 at 10:21 am
Beginnings are so tough. This is a great look at how to approach them.
By Katie L. Carroll (@KatieLCarroll) on January 16, 2019 at 10:26 am
Love your examples. Has me all ready thinking what I need to do on my next ms. TY
By shiela Fuller on January 16, 2019 at 10:27 am
The 4W’s is my new mantra for starting a book … thank you Shutta for this great post on the art of opening lines and getting the reader into the story really quickly.
By Joan Longstaff on January 16, 2019 at 10:27 am
I’m off to my picture book collection to read those opening lines. Your post was eye-opening and inspiring. Many thanks.
By Leslie Leibhardt Goodman - Writer on January 16, 2019 at 10:29 am
Thank you for the reminder of reader basics and the beautiful book illustrations. It is always good to get advice from gifted writers.
By Sharron Magyar on January 16, 2019 at 10:29 am
Thank you for a great post. It is great to be reminded about the 4 W’s plus the importance of first lines. Nice! T
By tanjabauerle on January 16, 2019 at 10:30 am
Shutta, this was an extremely helpful article. I already know which stories I’ve already written that need editing. Thanks!
By Sylvia Grech on January 16, 2019 at 10:30 am
These examples are perfect for driving home the point. You’ve got me thinking about my works-in-progress (not only PBs) and whether or not I’m tucking in the reader.
By Jacqueline Adams on January 16, 2019 at 10:31 am
Super helpful, thank you!
By Nora Fry on January 16, 2019 at 10:31 am
Thank you for this important post! I’ve got some revisions to do!
By Pamela Harrison on January 16, 2019 at 10:32 am
Love your examples of analyzing text. This will be fun to play with.
By Joanna Rowland on January 16, 2019 at 10:32 am
Thanks for this post. Beginnings are so important!
By rgstones on January 16, 2019 at 10:33 am
I love the examples! They illusutrate your point so well.
By angie9091 on January 16, 2019 at 10:35 am
Another inspiring post, Shutta! Thank you for this advice!
By Rebecca Colby on January 16, 2019 at 10:35 am
Shutta, good to see this post form the past again. I’ve been mulling over a beginning that doesn’t ground the reader w/setting. This postwar perfectly timed. TY.
By Kathy Halsey on January 16, 2019 at 10:35 am
Thanks, Shutta, for the picture book story breakdown! Great detective work:>
By polly renner on January 16, 2019 at 10:36 am
Remembering the basics is good. Thank you for sharing.
By Jane Serpa on January 16, 2019 at 10:37 am
First lines! Thanks for sharing and for the examples…very helpful.
By Cortney Benvenuto on January 16, 2019 at 10:38 am
Ah-ha! The W’s. What a great reminder of their importance using some outstanding book. Thank you.
By Aimee on January 16, 2019 at 10:39 am
Great examples! I plan to use your basics to help me revise a story. Thanks!
By Susan Nicholas Korstanje on January 16, 2019 at 10:40 am
Your examples are wonderful and very helpful! Thanks, Shutta, for sharing!
By thelmakat on January 16, 2019 at 10:40 am
Thank you, Shutta, for your encouragement to study the first lines (and the endings, and the middles) of picture books to improve our writing.
By authoryvonafast on January 16, 2019 at 10:44 am
Love this! Thanks for sharing!
By Janice Woods on January 16, 2019 at 10:47 am
This post is just excellent! I love the examples, and journalistic references. I found a lot of inspiration today. Thank you so much Shutta!
By jeanjames926 on January 16, 2019 at 10:48 am
Oooo. This is like prescription medicine for my WIPs! Thanks!
By Aimee Isaac on January 16, 2019 at 10:49 am
Some of my favorite books! Excellent examples. Thanks so much!
By Angie on January 16, 2019 at 10:53 am
Great examples of answering the 4 Ws!
By Therese Kay on January 16, 2019 at 10:58 am
Using what you learned in journalism about Who, What, When, and Where is a great idea for beginning books. I appreciated you including examples – they are some of my favorite books.
By Barbara Farr Renner on January 16, 2019 at 10:59 am
As a former reporter, I should have thought of this long ago! Can’t wait to borrow this technique for PBs. Thank you, Shutta.
By Andrea MacDonald on January 16, 2019 at 11:01 am
I’m going to check my 2 manuscript drafts immediately for strong leads. I really appreciate the sharing of this great information!
By Mary Lou on January 16, 2019 at 11:02 am
Such a good reminder. thank you!
By triciacandy on January 16, 2019 at 11:02 am
I’ve fallen a bit behind this week. But today’s post inspired TWO new ideas. Now I’m only 3 ideas away from being right on track. Thanks, Shutta!
By ktfrawley11gmailcom on January 16, 2019 at 11:02 am
I specially took to heart your line: “As in all things, once you know the rules you also know when it may be best to break them.” That one line, along with your supporting details, will be invaluable in my writing. Thank you Shutta!
By Hank Dallago on January 16, 2019 at 11:02 am
Of course, the basics…so why do we forget?!?!?! Thanks for the reminder, Shutta. I’m glad that this came back to keep reminding us to “tuck in the reader” right up front so we can take them on the adventure.
By mona861 on January 16, 2019 at 11:03 am
Ah mentor texts. Where would we be without them? Thank you for sharing, Shutta.
By Cynthia Hawthorne on January 16, 2019 at 11:09 am
Great tip on starting at the beginning and studying published authors to how they include that crucial info.
By Celeste Bocchicchio-Chaudhri on January 16, 2019 at 11:10 am
I love hearing about StoryStorm (PiBoIdMo) ideas that turned successful. It gives me great hope. Thanks for the inspiring and informative post!
By Jennifer Bower on January 16, 2019 at 11:13 am
Thanks, Shutta!
This is great advice. I’ll be looking for the 4 “W’s” early in my pb mss.
By Krista Harrington on January 16, 2019 at 11:19 am
Great tip, Shutta. Now I’m going back to reread the beginnings of all my stories to make sure they have all that is needed. Terrific post!
By betlw on January 16, 2019 at 11:21 am
Great reminder!
By Cheryl Johnson on January 16, 2019 at 11:21 am
Thank you for this post! I just revised the beginning of my “final” version of my manuscript. 🙂
By Kimberly on January 16, 2019 at 11:23 am
Very helpful! Thanks!
By Erica Joseph on January 16, 2019 at 11:25 am
Thanks! Great examples.
By Debbi G on January 16, 2019 at 11:27 am
Great suggestion and examples. I will take a look at some picture books and dissect the beginnings – and take a look at some of my own manuscripts to see how I answered these questions.
By Debra Katz on January 16, 2019 at 11:27 am
Brilliant! I am using this with my students today!
By matthewlasley on January 16, 2019 at 11:27 am
Thanks for the reminder of the important elements to include right away. Excuse me while I go off to brainstorm some first lines!
By Heather Stigall on January 16, 2019 at 11:29 am
Thank you – I really appreciated your post today. 🙂
By mlflannigan on January 16, 2019 at 11:30 am
Thanks Shutta. Good advice. Great books mentioned here!
By Mary Jane on January 16, 2019 at 11:31 am
Thank you Shutta! I have always found first lines the best and worst part of the writing process. You’ve definitely given me some things to think about. And thanks for the book ideas too. 🙂
By ssafra22 on January 16, 2019 at 11:36 am
Thanks for breaking down the examples Shutta. Very helpful.
By Elizabeth W Saba on January 16, 2019 at 11:38 am
Thanks for this. It just might get me unstuck today!
By nrompella on January 16, 2019 at 11:39 am
Thanks! This is just what some of my Storystorm ideas need.
By Lisa Billa on January 16, 2019 at 11:42 am
I love this! I’m now going to study all my picture books’ first lines! Great idea.
By jenabenton on January 16, 2019 at 11:44 am
Really helpful. I’m in the process of revising my first line of a manuscript before sending it to agent. I’m looking forward to trying this myself.
By Melissa Mwai on January 16, 2019 at 11:44 am
This idea helps me out a lot. I am going to use it.
By nataliecohn0258 on January 16, 2019 at 11:45 am
Love seeing the rules and how to break the rules!
By Carrie Kruck on January 16, 2019 at 11:46 am
Thanks, Shutta!
By rimna on January 16, 2019 at 11:49 am
Great ideas! Thanks, Shutta.
By Susan Johnston on January 16, 2019 at 11:50 am
Thanks for LEADING us in the right direction, Shutta!
By Barb Ostapina on January 16, 2019 at 11:51 am
Thank you, Shutta, for sharing your use of who, what, when, and where in story development and analysis. Brilliant!
By judyrubin13 on January 16, 2019 at 11:51 am
Great suggestions as I begin to expand ideas this Storystorm has generated.
Thank youuuu…!
By Paula Puckett on January 16, 2019 at 11:52 am
Thanks for reminding us about the basics of the 4 W’s that come before how and why. So simple, but not!
By Juliana Jones on January 16, 2019 at 11:56 am
What a useful and fun post! Thanks
By moviemommie on January 16, 2019 at 11:57 am
This is a great idea . Thank you for sharing ! I am going to use the who-what-when-where when I think-up my next story! Sarah
By Sarah Hetu-Radny on January 16, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Excellent post and great advice. Thank you!
By Maritza M. Mejía on January 16, 2019 at 12:05 pm
Great reminder. Thanks for breaking down the examples for us.
By Antje on January 16, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Good reminder.
By geobonni on January 16, 2019 at 12:09 pm
Thank you.
By Poppy P on January 16, 2019 at 12:09 pm
Very helpful post
By Laurel Ranveig Abell on January 16, 2019 at 12:14 pm
Thanks for the reminder to cover the 4 Ws right at the start of the story.
By ptnozell on January 16, 2019 at 12:15 pm
All the important info up front. That’s a great tip, Shutta.
By MD Knabb on January 16, 2019 at 12:15 pm
The 4 Ws. Thank you for showing us, with examples, the importance of giving our reader this information before we plunge into the story.
By Anjali Amit on January 16, 2019 at 12:20 pm
So true! Thanks again, Shutta, for an amazing post. First lines are so important. I’m working with my child on reading comprehension and test taking….learning W’s up front is crucial for him to then process the plot.
By mariaordish on January 16, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Wow, getting all the 4 Ws in the first sentence. I need to re-read all my manuscripts for this.
By Sheri Radovich on January 16, 2019 at 12:23 pm
Oh those all-important Ws… such a helpful reminder! Many thanks for sharing!
By Meli Glickman on January 16, 2019 at 12:26 pm
So helpful! Thanks for the terrific examples too.
By Dea Brayden on January 16, 2019 at 12:29 pm
Thanks for the reminder to pay attention to the basics.
By Krista Maxwell on January 16, 2019 at 12:31 pm
Excellent advice for openings. Simple but so helpful and powerful. Thanks, Shutta!
By Robin Brett Wechsler on January 16, 2019 at 12:33 pm
Ah, great post!
By Debra K Shumaker on January 16, 2019 at 12:34 pm
A great reminder. Thank you!
By Lori Alexander on January 16, 2019 at 12:34 pm
Today, thank you, Shutta and Tara, for the post from the past. My grown daughter and I were just talking last night about Rosemary Wells and Max’s Chocolate Chicken. Such a great opening line!
By Garnett Natasha on January 16, 2019 at 12:36 pm
I liked this post the first time and needed to read it again. Thank you!
By Kathleen Wilcox on January 16, 2019 at 12:36 pm
What a helpful tutorial. Thank you!
By Sara Matson on January 16, 2019 at 12:37 pm
Wonderful examples!
By Nicole Vuong on January 16, 2019 at 12:38 pm
Who, What, Where – so simple! Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
By Sally Lotz Spratt - Badass 2019🦋 (@SallyLotzSpratt) on January 16, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Great advice! That first line should grab the reader – the 4 Ws mixed in with intrigue = enticement!
By danielledufayet on January 16, 2019 at 12:40 pm
Loved reading these first lines and looking forward to your auto-mouse-biography!!
By Kim Pfennigwerth on January 16, 2019 at 12:47 pm
I’ve never given much thought to the 4 w’s when writing, but will from now on. Time to go over my first lines and see if they work. Thanks, Shutta, for this great post.
By Debra Daugherty on January 16, 2019 at 12:47 pm
First lines are SO important for setting the scene — thanks for this easy tip for making those first lines really grab the reader’s attention!
By RebeccaTheWriter on January 16, 2019 at 12:48 pm
I’m going to start paying more attention to opening lines and tweaking mine. Thanks for the insight!
By ranessadoucet on January 16, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Thank you for the reminder about the 4W’s.
Viji
By vijikc on January 16, 2019 at 12:51 pm
Thanks for the post.
By Gregory E Bray on January 16, 2019 at 12:53 pm
The 4 W’s – disarmingly simple, but easy to overlook when caught up in a manuscript. Thank you!
By Nancy Colle on January 16, 2019 at 12:53 pm
Great reminder to have the 4 W’s in our beginning lines. It’s so simple but so effective! Thanks!
By Alice Carty Fulgione on January 16, 2019 at 12:56 pm
So easy to forget those basics when writing for children.
By Caren Cantrell on January 16, 2019 at 12:57 pm
Thanks for the reminder to get the four basic questions answered in the first line. Excellent info to remember 🙂
By writeknit on January 16, 2019 at 12:58 pm
Thank you for the strong ‘first lines’ reminder. It’s usually the hardest to write. Another thank you for dissecting some of these stories to succinctly get your point across about using the 4 Ws and sometimes not.
By Nadia Salomon (@Nadia_Salomon) on January 16, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Thanks for the reminder.
By Manju B. Howard (@ManjuBeth) on January 16, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Back to basics with wonderful examples. Thank you, Shutta.
By Janie Reinart on January 16, 2019 at 12:59 pm
Thanks to Shutta for this great reminder of the importance of using the W’s to get your story off and running. And thanks to Tara for reposting it.
By LeeAnn Rizzuti on January 16, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Great reminder, the 4Ws.
By Kaylynn Johnsen on January 16, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Very useful and I had not heard of this technique before. Thanks!
By ryanrobertsauthor on January 16, 2019 at 1:01 pm
Great reminder of who, what, when, and where and how we can get right to it in the opening line. Thanks for the examples.
By Penny Parker Klostermann on January 16, 2019 at 1:08 pm
Such good advice!
By supermario6 on January 16, 2019 at 1:08 pm
As an illustrator first, I rarely focus on a first line. But won’t I from now on. Just a simple line can lead you in a hundred directions! Thank you, Shutta!
By karammitchell on January 16, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Thank you Shutta for bringing us back to the basics! I loved the book examples you provided– great read alouds I that I have used in the past with students too! I will look for your books in our public library this week!
By Robin Robb-Kraus on January 16, 2019 at 1:13 pm
Journalism was my first writing class, too, and I learned these rules. Curious, now, to go back and look at my mss to see if I intuitively covered who, what, when, and where in my first lines.
By carol w Munro on January 16, 2019 at 1:16 pm
Absolutely love this. Great advice. Hope to meet you at WWMW2019 :0)
By authoraileenstewart on January 16, 2019 at 1:18 pm
I like the way you get right to it. (Like I should, too.) Thank you.
By Pam Miller on January 16, 2019 at 1:19 pm
Great reminder! Thanks for the bonus of mentor texts!
By Gayle Veitenheimer on January 16, 2019 at 1:24 pm
Great advice, thank you!
By jennagrodzicki on January 16, 2019 at 1:29 pm
Thank you for this great mini-class!
By Kay Phillips on January 16, 2019 at 1:30 pm
Great place to start AND for revisions! Thank you for sharing this 😊
By heatherbell37 on January 16, 2019 at 1:31 pm
Ah! Taking me back to my college journalism days!
By Carmen White on January 16, 2019 at 1:32 pm
Thank you for sharing this great reminder of the basics.
By Bettie Boswell on January 16, 2019 at 1:38 pm
This is really good advice with great examples. Thanks for sharing!
By Kristen Tipman on January 16, 2019 at 1:39 pm
My writer’s toolbox contain the 5Ws + How. Thank you, Shutta.
Suzy Leopold
By Prairie Garden Girl on January 16, 2019 at 1:40 pm
This is great! Thank you!
By Christina Shawn on January 16, 2019 at 1:42 pm
Good things to remember when writing a story. Thank you!
By Sharon Nix Jones on January 16, 2019 at 1:45 pm
Fantastic advice and examples! Thanks, Shutta!
By Gabi Snyder on January 16, 2019 at 1:49 pm
I loved this. I’m planning a first line study day!
By R.J. Koehn on January 16, 2019 at 1:54 pm
Great reminder to start strong! Thank you!
By Jen Bagan on January 16, 2019 at 1:54 pm
Shutta, you’ve capsulized the best of openings beyond “it was a dark and stormy night.” I like how you’re reminding us to post these story questions and then once the readers are “tucked in,” we let readers explore our words to discover the answers. You’ve given us a yardstick on which to measure the strength of our beginnings. Thank you! Thank you!
By marsha e wright on January 16, 2019 at 1:56 pm
I am going to go right now and look at all of my first lines and ask the 5Ws and How?! Thanks, Shutta.
By Aimee Satterlee on January 16, 2019 at 1:57 pm
Great information and helpful examples. thank you!
By Kelly Ohlert on January 16, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Not only is Shutta a great writer, but apparently, she’s a scientist — dissecting stories for the details we overlook! Thank you!
By Monica Harris on January 16, 2019 at 2:07 pm
What a great perspective to have when editing our own manuscripts. Are we conveying the Ws we want to convey? Is it more enticing to leave one out? I like the way this kind of analysis can help us keep on track with our themes.
By Jennifer on January 16, 2019 at 2:07 pm
Thanks for this insight. You’re right so many cross-overs with newsbreaking, journalism and other writing style. It’s all just writing. Glad to be part of it 🙂
By Helen Matthews on January 16, 2019 at 2:09 pm
Love this great, tangible advice. Thanks Shutta!
By curryelizabeth on January 16, 2019 at 2:09 pm
Okay… My 4 W’s are posted on a sticky as a reminder. Thank you!
By Laurel Goodluck on January 16, 2019 at 2:10 pm
Thanks for your advice! I love the books you highlighted!
By Nancy Ramsey on January 16, 2019 at 2:20 pm
Hello again, Shutta! Often heard of the 5W’s and the all important H. One thing that came to mind, was that a writing professor once said that a good story happens now. It draws a reader in and becomes timeless. (I believe she was quoting Beverly Cleary, but I’m not positive.) I remember discussing tense to emphasize when something occurs. Thanks for exercising my memory muscles… they certainly need it!!!
By Juliana Lee on January 16, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Who, what, where and when in the lead is exceptionally brilliant. Thanks I’m going to parse my stories with that in mind…awesome.
By kiwijenny on January 16, 2019 at 2:21 pm
Great examples. I guess I haven’t approached my PB’s that way. Thank you!
By nicolesalterbraun on January 16, 2019 at 2:23 pm
I didn’t think about using the W’s in a story beginning. Thanks!
By Pat Miller on January 16, 2019 at 2:24 pm
Great reminder, Shutta. Gonna write down who-what-when-where-why on my notebook!
By Sue Heavenrich on January 16, 2019 at 2:25 pm
Important reminders and guidance, Shutta! Thank you!
By Suzanne LaLiberte Lewis on January 16, 2019 at 2:28 pm
Shutta,
Great post. The four w’s is such a great tip!
Debbie Lodato
By Debbie Lodato on January 16, 2019 at 2:33 pm
Opening lines are so hard! Thanks for the advice on creating a good opener.
By Jodi Mckay on January 16, 2019 at 2:34 pm
Yup! The four W’s! Good reminder!
By Vicki Wilke on January 16, 2019 at 2:40 pm
Great post, Shutta! I like the idea of the 4 Ws coming at the very beginning of the story.
By Cathy Ogren on January 16, 2019 at 2:43 pm
Thank you for the ideas!
By K.A.Steed on January 16, 2019 at 2:46 pm
Shutta!!! So needed to read this today. There’s nothing better than getting back to basics for helping us see where our openings (and entire stories) need work. What a perfect exercise for picture book writers! Thank you:)
By Sensibility and Sense on January 16, 2019 at 2:46 pm
This is a perfect way to get right into the story! Thank you, Shutta, for the great examples. Love your books!!
By Judy Bryan on January 16, 2019 at 2:53 pm
great examples!
By Stephanie Williams on January 16, 2019 at 2:55 pm
Such a brilliant way to look at it. Thank you for the great ideas!
By Janet Johnson on January 16, 2019 at 2:56 pm
Great post! Thank you.
By Ellen Sirianni on January 16, 2019 at 2:57 pm
The 4 Ws! Thank you, Shutta, for the terrific examples and tips!
By chardixon47 on January 16, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Thanks for another great post and intro construction tool, Shutta!
By Sara Pistulka Weingartner on January 16, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Great post – thanks Shutta!
By Lynn Alpert on January 16, 2019 at 3:15 pm
This is great. I love seeing the skill demonstrated in these books. Thanks!
By Erika Henkart on January 16, 2019 at 3:16 pm
This is perfect for me today! My edits from my writing group called for a stronger beginning. Thanks!
By annalunt on January 16, 2019 at 3:20 pm
First lines are important in all genres. You need to draw in the reader, even young ones or the ones who may be reading to them. Great examples.
By Chelle Martin on January 16, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Thank you for sharing the beauty of first lines. Now, to look at mine…
By Rinda Beach on January 16, 2019 at 3:23 pm
The all important opening lines! 🙂 Thank you for illustrating with mentor texts
By Tracey Brown on January 16, 2019 at 3:41 pm
Another old HS journalist here. Thanks for the great reminder
By stephaniewildman on January 16, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Shutta, Oh for the power of great examples. Thank you.
By RaeMcDonald on January 16, 2019 at 3:46 pm
Shutta, thank you for a thought provoking post. When all the elements are there, it seems so simple. And yet, it’s so difficult to create such “effortlessness” at times. Thank you.
By Maria Marshall on January 16, 2019 at 3:47 pm
Thank you for the encouragement ♥️
By Li’vee Rehfield on January 16, 2019 at 3:48 pm
What a helpful, illuminating, thought-provoking post! I love your examples and analyses. I also love this sentence so much: “As in all things, once you know the rules you also know when it may be best to break them.”
By LaurenKerstein on January 16, 2019 at 3:57 pm
Thank you for these ideas.
By Johnell DeWitt on January 16, 2019 at 4:06 pm
Another great post from Shutta! I love looking at first lines. Thanks for insightful examples.
By Melissa Stoller on January 16, 2019 at 4:08 pm
Great suggestion, and perfect examples! I’m going to take another look at my first lines.
By Carol Gwin Nelson on January 16, 2019 at 4:13 pm
Will pay more attention to first lines now. Thanks for the advice!
By readstuffnwrite on January 16, 2019 at 4:14 pm
Such great advice. I’m going to look through my picture book manuscripts for the 4 W’s.
By Suzanne Alexander on January 16, 2019 at 4:17 pm
Excellent guidelines! Thank you!
By Stephanie Shaw on January 16, 2019 at 4:23 pm
Thank you for your “opening line” advice…the examples you selected really enhanced the explanations given!
By karengreenwald2985 on January 16, 2019 at 4:29 pm
On day 16, advice does come
From Shutta Crum–
With a nod to form
On Storystorm!
By 8catpaws on January 16, 2019 at 4:29 pm
“Thank you Shutta for the post from the past illustrating the importance of “tucking” in the reader by answering some “W” questions while making them yearn for what happens next and why.
Including book examples really helped me to understand.
By Heather Kelso on January 16, 2019 at 4:31 pm
It’s always important to remind ourselves about those four questions. This makes me wonder about all those early drafts that got shelved. I think I’ll go back and take a closer look.
By Barb Kupetz on January 16, 2019 at 4:36 pm
Thanks for another great post 😀
By Heather Gallagher on January 16, 2019 at 4:41 pm
Excellent advice. First lines are so important to engage the reader.
By Shirley on January 16, 2019 at 4:46 pm
Such a helpful post! Thank you, Shutta, for the reminder to make the story lead strong!
By Annie Cronin Romano on January 16, 2019 at 4:54 pm
Thanks for the post and examples to learn from. Awesome!
By sherilyncook on January 16, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Excellent examples! Great mentor texts! Thank you.
By deniseaengle on January 16, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Thanks for the advice. First lines can make or break a book, imo.
By Moon Bishop on January 16, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Even with a journalism degree, I had never really thought of PB beginnings this way. What a great insight!
By tanyakonerman on January 16, 2019 at 5:08 pm
Ah . . . that is my lightbulb flashing on! Just like in novels, we often start in the wrong place. Seems the same is true for picture books and I think I am often too wordy. Perfect advice! Thanks!
By Nancy Riley on January 16, 2019 at 5:10 pm
Yep – “include the w’s” is something I drill into my students when we are writing, but did I think that applied to me for PB? Thank you for the very timely reminder.
By Kellie on January 16, 2019 at 5:12 pm
Interesting. I’ll have to check the first lines of my stories.
By Janet Smart on January 16, 2019 at 5:14 pm
I’m going to take this and try it out on my WIPs. Thanks for another awesome post!
By Jennifer G Prevost on January 16, 2019 at 5:17 pm
Thanks, Shutta! Great advice.
By Arlene Schenker on January 16, 2019 at 5:18 pm
That’s a good reminder! I majored in Journalism in college, but I still forget the four W’s every now and then.
By Nina Snyder on January 16, 2019 at 5:22 pm
I hadn’t thought of doing this specifically in picture books, but it makes all the sense in the world. Thank you for the reminder.
By Karin Larson on January 16, 2019 at 5:28 pm
This is a great idea for starting a story. I haven’t done this in any of my drafts, but I will definitely try it. I have never stopped to consider this. I will check out some of the books I have at home to find out how many follow this idea. Thank you!
By Mariana on January 16, 2019 at 5:35 pm
Thanks Shutta for sharing these great starts!!
By Mary Warth on January 16, 2019 at 5:41 pm
Thanks for the reminder. It’s so easy to forget this very necessary rule, as we want to get out story on paper as quickly as possible.
By Marge Gower on January 16, 2019 at 5:41 pm
Thanks for the tip, Shutta, and great examples!
By Tina Cho on January 16, 2019 at 5:45 pm
Great ideas and books to study. Thanks so much for your help!
By leeanimator on January 16, 2019 at 5:55 pm
Thanks for the reminder to focus on first lines! They are so important for setting up everything to follow.
By Christine Pinto on January 16, 2019 at 6:04 pm
A great reminder about the 4 Ws!
By Linda KulpTrout on January 16, 2019 at 6:04 pm
I like this: “As in all things, once you know the rules you also know when it may be best to break them.” And the idea of tucking our reader in after giving the 4 W’s. Thank you for teaching us today.
By Shereen S. on January 16, 2019 at 6:07 pm
First lines are so important, especially in picture books.
By Linda Hofke on January 16, 2019 at 6:09 pm
Oh, my-such good, concrete ‘stuff’! Thank you so very much, and I want Mouseling’s Words for a certain grand who loves words. Re-post that still has legs, long legs….
By Gail Hedrick on January 16, 2019 at 6:19 pm
Thanks, Shutta. I always enjoy hearing your insights.
By awritersdream41 on January 16, 2019 at 6:19 pm
Excellent. I love I want my hat back, I love max and ruby. Great post. Lots of firsts for me this year!
By James Arthur on January 16, 2019 at 6:20 pm
Great reminders Shutta, thanks for sharing.
By Catherine Morgans on January 16, 2019 at 6:23 pm
Thanks for this helpful post with sample openings well worth studying.
By Poupette Smith on January 16, 2019 at 6:23 pm
Shutta, Thank you! Checking out first lines was on my list for this month! Now to do it.
By Nancy Ferguson on January 16, 2019 at 6:28 pm
Loved the examples.
By KRISTINA CASTILLO on January 16, 2019 at 6:35 pm
Thank you for this. When I try and get my kids to try a different book, if I can’t grab them with the first line it is doubtful they will try it.
By Diana Murrell on January 16, 2019 at 6:39 pm
Thanks for the reminder about who, what, where, and when. Such an important basic to keep in mind!
By Frances Kalavritinos on January 16, 2019 at 6:45 pm
Such a helpful post, Shutta. Thank you!
By Carol Gordon Ekster on January 16, 2019 at 6:45 pm
Thanks so much for the gentle reminder!!!! AHHH the 4 “w”‘s!!!! 🙂
By seschipper on January 16, 2019 at 6:46 pm
Thanks, Shutta on the reminder of how important it is to hook readers with first lines.
By Lori Mozdzierz on January 16, 2019 at 6:53 pm
Very helpful. Great examples. Will have fun looking for this in what I’ve written and what I read.
By teresa.mi.schaefer on January 16, 2019 at 7:11 pm
I also learned this, but in nursing school when learning how to interview a patient. What a great idea (duh!) to use it with picture books. Thanks for the tip!
By Katie Williams on January 16, 2019 at 7:21 pm
Such a great reminder on the importance of writing strong first lines to our stories. I love the examples you used. Thank you!
By Brooke Hollon on January 16, 2019 at 7:21 pm
I love simple beginnings like the examples you give here. Thanks for the reminder.
By Suzanne Lieurance on January 16, 2019 at 7:28 pm
Super helpful post, and with GREAT examples. Thanks!
By Dawn Prochovnic on January 16, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Very good advice!!
By Melissa Escobar on January 16, 2019 at 7:32 pm
Thank you for the great post on first lines!
By Tracy Hora on January 16, 2019 at 7:36 pm
Great examples!
By Sara A on January 16, 2019 at 7:56 pm
Simple but helpful. Thanks!
By jaclynsmiller on January 16, 2019 at 7:56 pm
I love the 4 Ws! Something to think about when starting a story off. Thanks!
By Erik Ammon on January 16, 2019 at 7:58 pm
Thank you for the tips and examples on how to leave space for the illustrator.
By lizricewrites on January 16, 2019 at 8:11 pm
Thanks for the tips Shutta!
By Lisa L Furness on January 16, 2019 at 8:13 pm
Love those first lines! Thanks for sharing!
By Sue Frye on January 16, 2019 at 8:19 pm
Time to go study my openings and check for the 4 W’s. Thanks for the great tip, Shutta!
By Claire W Bobrow on January 16, 2019 at 8:37 pm
Enjoyed your post about how to start a story to pull in the reader.
By Jenifer McNamara on January 16, 2019 at 8:38 pm
Great advice, love the idea of revisiting open lines through your “W” questions. Thanks
By bookfish1 on January 16, 2019 at 8:45 pm
What wonderful opening lines! I find myself wishing I’d written them! A great reminder to read and reread the wonderful mentor texts out there.
By Marie Sanderson on January 16, 2019 at 8:46 pm
This post is so helpful! I love the examples of the four ‘W’s and also the labeling of what type of book. Great!
By Kaye Baillie on January 16, 2019 at 8:48 pm
I (who) wrote it (what) in my StoryStorm notebook(where) just as soon as I finished reading the post (when) Thanks Shutta!
By Margaret Flint Suter on January 16, 2019 at 8:52 pm
I learn so much from the masters.
By Trine Grillo on January 16, 2019 at 8:55 pm
Thank you! And what an awesome name you have. I love it!
By ingridboydston on January 16, 2019 at 9:04 pm
Even as a journalist this is such a great reminder for me for kids writing.
By Kirsten Pendreigh on January 16, 2019 at 9:06 pm
Thank you for the great advice Shutta!
By heidikyates on January 16, 2019 at 9:14 pm
SHUTTA: Your advice is GOLDEN!!! And I LOVE the examples you provided, so we can learn first hand. “Tucking in” our readers–what a BEAUTIFUL way to put it all!!! THANK YOU for the inspiration!!!
By Natalie Lynn Tanner on January 16, 2019 at 9:14 pm
Great advice! Owl Moon is one of my favorite books of all time.
By Rebekah Lowell on January 16, 2019 at 9:14 pm
The importance of a strong opening line can never be overstated. Thanks!
By Matt Forrest Esenwine on January 16, 2019 at 9:22 pm
Such great advice. I plan to use four different colors of index cards, each for a pile of ideas answering who, what, when, and where. After shuffling, I’ll randomly choose one card from each pile and see how fun and silly I can get. Hopefully there is a gem in there to be found!
By tamaragirardi on January 16, 2019 at 9:26 pm
“Tucking your readers in.” What a fabulous way of talking about openings. Thank you!
By Brenda Miller on January 16, 2019 at 9:35 pm
Thank you! These are some great ideas!!
By Sandy Foster on January 16, 2019 at 9:36 pm
Tamara – I love your idea of the four different stacks of cards!
By Teresa Klepinger on January 16, 2019 at 9:39 pm
Thank for the post and the great examples.
By teacherwriteracker on January 16, 2019 at 9:50 pm
Great reminder! Back to basics: the 4 W’s!
By Jennifer Hunt on January 16, 2019 at 9:58 pm
Thanks for the wonderful refresher, Shutta! 🙂
By Rene` Diane Aube on January 16, 2019 at 10:05 pm
Shutta, I can’t wait to take out all the PB on my shelves and look at the first sentences for the 4 w’s! Great info!
Thank-you!
By Lucy Staugler on January 16, 2019 at 10:16 pm
So “It was a dark and stormy night…” doesn’t quite cut it, huh? 😉 Thanks for the examples and challenges to look carefully at our opening sentences.
By joyceschr on January 16, 2019 at 10:17 pm
Shutta, you are SO good at analyzing text, and I LOVE your use of mentor texts to help readers see what you refer to, right there in action! Thank you! Always good to hear from you!
By writeremmcbride on January 16, 2019 at 10:27 pm
Love this! I’ve always been weak in drafting opening lines. I love how you broke it down so simply, and gave such different examples. Thank you!
By CJ Penko on January 16, 2019 at 10:28 pm
Thank you so much to taking the time to post.
By Nadine Poper on January 16, 2019 at 10:38 pm
Really enjoyed the use of mentor text examples to demonstrate strong, opening sentences – thank you!
By Susan Macartney on January 16, 2019 at 10:45 pm
Shutta, I just LOVE when things are put in such a simple, clear way, there’s no way not to easily “get” it 😀 Thanks!
By writersideup on January 16, 2019 at 10:55 pm
Thank you for the reminder to get back to basics. I’m going to try ths exercise with some mentor text.
By julielacombeauthor on January 16, 2019 at 11:08 pm
First lines are so important. Thanks for the reminder.
By Cheryl Malandrinos on January 16, 2019 at 11:33 pm
John Klassen is an incredible writer, one of my children’s book writing Idols. Clean, straight forward, funny; so much detail in so few words, which is a very important skill in picture book writing.
By renataclarkeblog on January 16, 2019 at 11:38 pm
Thanks for a great post, Shutta! Remember the basics–but “as in all things, once you know the rules you also know when it may be best to break them.” Words to write by!
By Lucretia on January 16, 2019 at 11:39 pm
Thanks for resharing this post with us.
By Christine Irvin on January 16, 2019 at 11:56 pm
Great examples. Am off to check my beginnings!
By marty on January 17, 2019 at 12:11 am
Thanks for the great examples to drive home the point!
By bgonsar on January 17, 2019 at 12:45 am
What a wonderful “take it back to basics” message. I loved journalism class in high school and writing for the school paper. Excuse me while I take a trip down memory lane. 😉
By authorlaurablog on January 17, 2019 at 12:51 am
Thank you for the examples! 🙂
By Tanya T Shock on January 17, 2019 at 12:56 am
Thank you Storystorm, thank you Shutta, a perfect combo, creatively.
By Lori McElrath-Eslick on January 17, 2019 at 1:06 am
This was such an interesting read and has given me a lot to think about, thanks!
By Charlotte Offsay on January 17, 2019 at 1:11 am
This is a new perspective for me. I will be thinking about this when I write my openings from now on. Thank you.
By tiffanydickinson on January 17, 2019 at 1:12 am
Thank you!
By Julie Mondi on January 17, 2019 at 1:17 am
Excellent reminder. Love the examples you gave.
By Keila Dawson on January 17, 2019 at 1:25 am
Yes! I love finding great mentor texts to narrow in on specific aspects of my writing. Great first lines.
By Angie on January 17, 2019 at 1:33 am
What a great breakdown! I love it!
By wyszguy on January 17, 2019 at 2:01 am
Great advice!
By rjtraxel on January 17, 2019 at 3:05 am
Great advice. Having a go at 4 Ws randomly to see what it throws up.
By Becky Hamilton on January 17, 2019 at 3:06 am
Thanks for this wonderful tip! So true and as a reader of many picture books with our three boys something I’ve never consciously thought of. We just dive right into the books.
By Amanda Malek-Ahmadi on January 17, 2019 at 3:44 am
Thank you for the advice.
By Freda Lewkowicz on January 17, 2019 at 5:05 am
Thanks
By Sara Fajardo on January 17, 2019 at 7:16 am
Thanks for this reminder, and I love your point and example of how the absence of one of these elements can also be artfully used to enhance another element or elements.
By Alexandra Hinrichs on January 17, 2019 at 7:39 am
I love studying the first lines of picture books! What a great way to get ideas!
By Andrea Mack on January 17, 2019 at 7:42 am
Beautiful concept for openings. Thank you much for sharing!
By cravevsworld on January 17, 2019 at 7:47 am
Going to analyze all my first lines. And those in my current library book pile! Thanks for the idea.
By Suzanne Poulter Harris on January 17, 2019 at 7:51 am
Outstanding advice! Thank you.
By DaNeil Olson on January 17, 2019 at 8:37 am
Great tip and clear examples. Thanks for sharing!
By Rona Shirdan on January 17, 2019 at 8:42 am
Helpful parsing of openings. A great exercise to do regularly! Thank you.
By Jennifer Phillips on January 17, 2019 at 9:31 am
Thank you for the lesson.
By Anita on January 17, 2019 at 9:42 am
Love this!
By susan on January 17, 2019 at 10:04 am
Perfect reminders! Thank you!
By Nadine Gamble on January 17, 2019 at 10:05 am
Thanks for the inspiration!
By Jessica Kulekjian on January 17, 2019 at 10:10 am
So insightful!! Thank you!!
By megcason1 on January 17, 2019 at 10:12 am
Wonderful guides for story writing.
By Mardi Edwards on January 17, 2019 at 10:24 am
As a J-School graduate, this resonates deep! Who, What, Where and Why is the basis for the corporate writing I do every day! Now, to get it down in my picture book writing! Thank you!
By Amy Bradshaw on January 17, 2019 at 10:37 am
Great idea — applying who, what, where and when to my first lines might lead to a wonderful revision!
By kcareywrites on January 17, 2019 at 10:38 am
Thank you for sharing. It is always important to remember the basics!
By Carolyn Currier on January 17, 2019 at 11:01 am
I can’t wait to try this exercise with some of my favorite picture books. Thanks, Shutta!
By CindyC on January 17, 2019 at 11:11 am
Thanks, I need a boast in the middle of the month
By Kathy Mazurowski on January 17, 2019 at 11:17 am
I like the way you broke it all down into manageable parts! Thanks. 🙂
By melissamiles1 on January 17, 2019 at 11:34 am
Great post! Thank you.
By debbeauchamp on January 17, 2019 at 11:36 am
This is a great way to simplify the premise of a story.
By andromeda515 on January 17, 2019 at 11:36 am
Great advice. I’m going back to check my stories to see how I started them. Thanks!
By Marcia Berneger on January 17, 2019 at 12:16 pm
This was an amazing post! Getting the crucial information to hook the reader is so important!
By Judy Sobanski (@jkspburg) on January 17, 2019 at 12:22 pm
Ah, the premise (who, where, when) is key to hooking a reader to pick up a book, but the emotional core (why) is what keeps them reading to the end. And re-reading!
By paulinetso on January 17, 2019 at 12:36 pm
Oooooo! I love this post! Those are some really GREAT beginnings too. 🙂
By Juliann Caveny on January 17, 2019 at 12:42 pm
Great advice for new ideas and revising old.
By Sarah Tobias on January 17, 2019 at 12:46 pm
Very helpful!
By Katie B on January 17, 2019 at 12:47 pm
This was a really helpful post!! Thanks! 🙂
By Amelia Gossman on January 17, 2019 at 12:49 pm
I love Bear Snores On! I read it to my students this past summer and they loved it too!
Great post!
By storycatcherpublishing on January 17, 2019 at 12:50 pm
Very well explained. I got it this time. Thank you. I love “I Want My Hat Back.”
By Cassie Bentley on January 17, 2019 at 1:20 pm
Deceptively simple exercise. Good to see it again because I need reminders. Thanks!
By Mary Worley on January 17, 2019 at 1:23 pm
Thanks for the reminder! Perfect timing for me.
By littledbl on January 17, 2019 at 1:40 pm
fantastic classic examples of great openings (and doesn’t Jon always break the mold so well) =)
By aidantalkin on January 17, 2019 at 1:50 pm
Using actual first lines to deconstruct the 4 W’s was very effective in driving home the point and how to apply it. Thank you.
By annjex on January 17, 2019 at 1:50 pm
I love I Want My Hat Back. Thanks for including it 🙂
By Robin on January 17, 2019 at 2:10 pm
Thank you, Shutta, these are some of my favorite books! And what incredible opening lines! Great reminder to always follow the four W’s!
By Dana Atnip on January 17, 2019 at 2:23 pm
Another gem of advice. Thank you!
By carolkim328561673 on January 17, 2019 at 2:26 pm
What a good reminder for both reading and writing picture books! Thank you!
By Nicole Loos Miller (@beautify_life) on January 17, 2019 at 2:28 pm
Love this! Great place to start from and love the mentor texts! Thanks!
By Michelle Kashinsky on January 17, 2019 at 2:35 pm
Great examples!
By Dawn on January 17, 2019 at 2:52 pm
So simple but so powerful — thanks Shutta
By hmmmmm on January 17, 2019 at 2:57 pm
Thank you Shutta. First lines are an art in themselves. I find they can hold up my writing until I can get a good start on those lines.
By Jane Baskwill on January 17, 2019 at 3:26 pm
Beginnings are difficult! Thank you for the 4 W’s info and great examples!
By doreenbuchinski on January 17, 2019 at 3:28 pm
Love this! Thank you, Shutta! Any time I can use my journalism skills is a good time. Thank you for showing me there is use for them outside newspapers.
By gingermeurer on January 17, 2019 at 3:51 pm
Great framework!
By Karin Semler on January 17, 2019 at 4:19 pm
Very good advice! Thank you.
By Jennifer on January 17, 2019 at 5:27 pm
I love your idea about answering the who/what/when/where in the first line of a story. It’s simple and works beautifully in the books you recommend. I will definitely be using this suggestion as I edit and play with new beginnings. Thanks!
By debbiemccue on January 17, 2019 at 5:38 pm
Shutta,
Love the idea of diving into first lines/ first words. 💜
By Monica Stoltzfus on January 17, 2019 at 5:38 pm
This is great check of story and I am going to use it not just for idea generation but for revision. Thanks!
By Cinzia V. on January 17, 2019 at 6:15 pm
Wow, what an unnoticeable but VERY clever use of those questions. I wouldn’t have noticed them if you had’t pointed out the Who? What? When? Where? in the text… and then you showed the story telling How? and Why? As I said, WOW!
By photojaq on January 17, 2019 at 6:31 pm
Good reminder to think about these basic questions, and I love the books you used to illustrate your point.
By celticsea on January 17, 2019 at 6:47 pm
This post was chock full of great advice. Thanks!
By kathydoherty1 on January 17, 2019 at 7:14 pm
Now I want to read “Max’s Chocolate Chicken.” (The title alone captures my interest.)
By Janet Frenck Sheets on January 17, 2019 at 7:14 pm
Every word matters, especially the first ones.
By Lydia Lukidis on January 17, 2019 at 7:30 pm
Love this! It has me rethinking some of WIPs…
By LenoraBiemans (@BiemansLenora) on January 17, 2019 at 7:39 pm
Who? What? When? Where? That is my new mantra.
By Michele Helsel on January 17, 2019 at 7:45 pm
Good stuff! Thanks!
By Karan Greene on January 17, 2019 at 8:36 pm
Shutta, thank you for the great 4 Ws tip. I too enjoy writing children’s books in verse.
By Peggy Jaegly on January 17, 2019 at 8:45 pm
Thanks, thats a great reminder to use the 5 W’s!
By Jabeen Chawdhry on January 17, 2019 at 9:06 pm
Thanks for the great post, and for the reminder to start with who, what, where, and when!
By denarose on January 17, 2019 at 9:28 pm
I remember learning the 4Ws in journalism class–thank you for bringing them home to picture books for me! ❤
By Jolene Ballard Gutierrez on January 17, 2019 at 11:43 pm
Ah, yes! Back to the basics.
By susanzonca on January 18, 2019 at 12:22 am
I loved this post! Thank you for sharing! It was very informative and fun. I like the idea of thinking with the 4 w’s.
By Ashley Bankhead on January 18, 2019 at 12:34 am
So helpful. Thank you 😊
By catpledger on January 18, 2019 at 12:46 am
Great advice!
By Emily Wayne (@heyemilywayne) on January 18, 2019 at 1:12 am
Back to the basics! Asking these questions might actually help me with a current manuscript…
By Brittanny Handiboe on January 18, 2019 at 7:46 am
What are great exercise. I am going to try it right now.
By chrisynthia on January 18, 2019 at 8:08 am
Thank you – this helped me formulate an opening to an idea I had a few days ago!
By Erin Le Clerc on January 18, 2019 at 8:08 am
I always forget about who what when. Thank you for the reminder!
By Mel Copeman on January 18, 2019 at 9:47 am
Great reminder of basics we should all keep in mind!
By thislittlebirdie on January 18, 2019 at 9:51 am
Excellent post! Thanks so much!
By Elizabeth Brown on January 18, 2019 at 10:27 am
As a journalist, I harp on the 4 Ws, but I often forget it when writing picture books. Thanks for the reminder!
By Carolyn Bennett Fraiser on January 18, 2019 at 11:55 am
Great reminder of the importance of opening lines.
By Judy Cooper on January 18, 2019 at 12:32 pm
Great information on opening lines. Thanks!
By Connie Van Horn on January 18, 2019 at 1:03 pm
Great reminder about the 4 Ws, Shutta. Thank you!
By Kathryn Jean Hagen on January 18, 2019 at 2:10 pm
Thanks! Diving in now to look at first lines of my favorite texts!
By Noelle McBride on January 18, 2019 at 2:55 pm
Awesome reminder of the for Ws and first lines! I’ll have to write down some of my favorite picture books from childhood and adulthood.
By Megan Walvoord (@mjwalvoord2) on January 18, 2019 at 2:59 pm
Great post – thank you!
By Kim Wilson (@AuthorKimWilson) on January 18, 2019 at 3:17 pm
Great examples!
By writeforapples1 on January 18, 2019 at 3:33 pm
Loved this! My first writing jobs were in journalism! Thanks
By Margie Markarian on January 18, 2019 at 3:35 pm
Thanks so much. Solid, beneficial advice!
By Lisa Murphy on January 18, 2019 at 4:46 pm
First lines are crucial. And I loved your examples.
By Kathleen Cornell-Berman on January 18, 2019 at 5:26 pm
What a great post. The first sentence is so important. But I really appreciated the idea of leaving out one of the four questions and letting the illustrator help set the scene.
By debobrienbookscom on January 18, 2019 at 6:24 pm
Always helpful to read great beginning by some great authors. Thanks, Shutta.
By Jim Chaize on January 18, 2019 at 7:05 pm
Thank you for the examples! Great post!
By Sarah Maynard (@SarahDMaynard) on January 18, 2019 at 7:08 pm
Sound advice. It’s so interesting to see what’s missing, what’s there, and what works. Then figuring out the why…..
By Jilanne Hoffmann on January 18, 2019 at 7:09 pm
I’m glad she pointed out one of the books that breaks the rule, too! That’s sometimes the most revealing example.
By annettepimentel on January 18, 2019 at 10:20 pm
Excellent post! Thank you for breaking down the 4 Ws with such great examples.
By Becky Scharnhorst on January 19, 2019 at 12:06 am
Great post! Thanks for the great analysis and examples.
By Rani Iyer on January 19, 2019 at 12:11 am
What a fascinating look into first lines! Great post.
By Sandy Perlic on January 19, 2019 at 1:40 am
Very good advice. A simple structure for writers to follow, yet so important for the audience. Thanks for a useful post!
By Nancy Kotkin (@Brave_New_Words) on January 19, 2019 at 4:18 am
Nice analysis. I love the opening of the bear book.
By Bethanny Parker on January 19, 2019 at 7:29 am
Great lesson on how to break down a mentor text!
By junesmalls on January 19, 2019 at 8:19 am
Thank you for taking this journalistic look at opening lines!
By Lauri Meyers on January 19, 2019 at 8:26 am
This post was extremely helpful. I am going back right now to edit a few of my story openings. Thank you!
By Patricia on January 19, 2019 at 9:07 am
Thanks for re-posting this. Some are from before I found your site.
By Rick Starkey on January 19, 2019 at 9:48 am
I honestly haven’t paid much attention lately to the 4Ws in picture books, just my other writing. Time for some editing. Thanks for the remiinder.
By Eileen Saunders on January 19, 2019 at 10:17 am
Great advice and examples! Thanks!
By Kathy O'Neill on January 19, 2019 at 11:57 am
Great reminder. Thanx,
By Stephen S. Martin on January 19, 2019 at 2:51 pm
Another piece of advice I need to keep by my computer at all times!
By Teresa Robeson on January 19, 2019 at 4:24 pm
Sometimes we love a piece of writing, but we don’t immediately identify all the little subtleties that make it great. I really enjoy going back to beloved picture books, the way you did, to examine what it is they did so well, and how they did it. Being so efficient in the opening, to give the give the reader all-important context, is so important. You explained it all beautifully, and I appreciated your examples. Thanks for this post!
By Jennifer Broedel (@JBroedelAuthor) on January 19, 2019 at 5:09 pm
Very helpful, thank you!
By Laurie Bouck on January 19, 2019 at 5:11 pm
I’m all about the beginnings and openings and leads…this year. Its the possibilities they offer.
By Diane Tulloch on January 19, 2019 at 5:41 pm
I cannot wait to go through my stories and try this lead exercise. Thank you for the idea and the examples.
By Susan Schade on January 19, 2019 at 7:42 pm
Going to go re-read some of my fave picture books and pay close attention to how the opening lines and art set up the story. Thanks!
By Meghan Burch on January 19, 2019 at 8:40 pm
Love this…answer the 4 W’s right away. Simple concept with the power to draw in your reader. Thank you!
By Susanne Whitehouse on January 19, 2019 at 9:16 pm
I never thought of first lines like this before!
By sjctenney on January 19, 2019 at 10:18 pm
Great reminder to go back to those roots of storytelling!
By Kath Carroll on January 19, 2019 at 11:07 pm
I love studying first lines. this is awesome.
By kaleegwarjanski on January 20, 2019 at 8:53 am
Thank you.
By Carolyn Lucas on January 20, 2019 at 9:14 am
Thanks for the 4 + 2 WH questions tip. Now to see if my drafts are tucking my reader in.
By Angela De Groot on January 20, 2019 at 9:39 am
I love studying first lines over and over. There are some fantastic ones out there. Thanks for the repost!
By Wendy on January 20, 2019 at 9:51 am
Let me see if I got this straight. Who is me, of course!, What is Storystorm-2019 indeed! Where is wherever I can find ideas, okay! When is from January 1-31, 2019. Yeah! Thanks for the tips!
By kmajor2013 on January 20, 2019 at 10:04 am
Great reminder- 4Ws- and with examples! Thanks, Shutta.
By hdening on January 20, 2019 at 11:06 am
I, too, was a high school journalism student and a news editor in my senior yeear of the high school newspaper. I also went to Northwestern University’s high school institute for journalism one summer. In all these places, Who, What, When, and Where were paramount in our writing.
By Judith Wright Aplin on January 20, 2019 at 12:08 pm
I liked your statement, “Good leads are something that the news reader doesn’t really notice, but are crucial to keeping the reader’s attention.” Thank you.
By DB Cote on January 20, 2019 at 1:09 pm
This is a great post! Thanks for the specific examples and the encouragement to study more.
By jenfierjasinski on January 20, 2019 at 1:19 pm
These examples are great – esp showing how/when to break the rules.Thanks for sharing.
By Valarie Giogas on January 20, 2019 at 3:36 pm
Great reminder with examples! Thanks for sharing!
By Deb Cushman on January 20, 2019 at 4:44 pm
The 4 W’s, what simple but great advice. A great place to start a story. Thank you for your reminder.
By angiew.littleredhen on January 20, 2019 at 4:56 pm
So nice to see Shutta who is a part-time Floridian ❤ Thanks for the inspiration, Shutta!
By Lynne Marie on January 20, 2019 at 6:13 pm
This is awesome advice, thank you!
By Carolyn Kraft on January 20, 2019 at 6:46 pm
Like everyone else (I’m sure) I now want to go revisit all the first sentences of all my manuscripts. Thanks, Shutta!
By Elizabeth Metz on January 20, 2019 at 7:39 pm
Shutta,
Such a good reminder. I’ll look more closely at my first lines.
By setwiggs on January 20, 2019 at 7:50 pm
I love the concept of using journalism leads – who, what, where and when – to see if my stories have first lines that hook the reader. Thank you, Shutta and Tara!
By doreenrobinson on January 20, 2019 at 9:24 pm
Great reminders and great examples! So helpful!
By Jill M Proctor on January 20, 2019 at 10:05 pm
These are great examples to tuck away for reference. Thank you!
By Danielle Hicks on January 20, 2019 at 10:16 pm
The wonder of four W’s… It works! Thanks for the tips!
By aliciaminor on January 20, 2019 at 10:23 pm
I must check my picture book beginnings! What will I find?
By Zoraida Rivera on January 21, 2019 at 1:53 am
Thanks for exploring leads through these wonderful examples. I love the idea of tucking my reader in by answering the four Ws. I’ll also be sharing this information with my fourth grade writers. Thanks!
By mbhmaine on January 21, 2019 at 8:36 am
Thanks for the reminder. I forgot about the four W’s.
By Helen on January 21, 2019 at 9:53 am
Thank you
By kayla6001 on January 21, 2019 at 3:22 pm
This is so helpful. I’m now thinking through all of the stories I’ve written, and all of my favorite published stories, and testing them for the four Ws!
By Anna Brooks on January 21, 2019 at 4:02 pm
Thank you for your insight!
By Meilssa Chupp on January 21, 2019 at 5:46 pm
Very helpful post. Thank you.
By aturner513 on January 21, 2019 at 6:40 pm
A practical, and spot-on, metric for opening lines. Thank you. Can’t wait to read Mouseling’s Words.
By Angela H. Dale on January 21, 2019 at 10:22 pm
This was great! Thank you–
By Midge Ballou Smith on January 21, 2019 at 10:44 pm
What a wonderful post. Thank you. This has recombobulated how I will look at my first lines.
By Vicky on January 21, 2019 at 11:58 pm
All in one sentence! I love that about picture books! We can just get straight to the point!
By martina.franklin.poole on January 22, 2019 at 12:55 am
Gorgeous examples of first lines. Thank you!
By Hillary Homzie on January 22, 2019 at 2:03 am
Love the 4W’s and the examples are very helpful. Thank You.
By Annette Walsh on January 22, 2019 at 8:16 am
I loved this. It makes me want to go analyze a bunch of first lines.
By Nicole Turner on January 22, 2019 at 10:11 am
Very helpful reminder! Even though I know this, I jotted it down again and will be going though a lot of first lines to see if I capture it as well as these great reads!
By Kelly Vavala on January 22, 2019 at 11:25 am
Thank you for the helpful reminder! This is so easy to forget when writing first lines.
By Anne Appert on January 22, 2019 at 11:49 am
One of the best posts yet. First lines are so important. Thanks!!
By CindyC on January 22, 2019 at 12:50 pm
I can’t wait to dig into the first lines from my stack of library books! Thank you!
By Kelly Conroy on January 22, 2019 at 2:16 pm
These are helpful tips and sources for teaching writing to young students as well.
By Sally Matheny on January 22, 2019 at 3:54 pm
Thank you for the reminder and great examples!
By Paula VanEnkevort on January 22, 2019 at 7:07 pm
That’s a great way to think about openings!
By Stephanie Lau on January 22, 2019 at 8:01 pm
Thanks for a very instructive post!
By Steve Schwartz on January 22, 2019 at 10:37 pm
I’m going to take this and see how my current manuscripts fulfill the 4 W’s in the opening (as well as building on this for future ideas and manuscripts.) Thank you!
By Beth Stilborn on January 23, 2019 at 12:03 am
Brilliant observation! Thank you.
By Amalia Reef on January 23, 2019 at 2:36 am
Thanks for the great, specific way to focus the first line of a PB.
By Jill on January 23, 2019 at 12:39 pm
My favorite posts always include examples. Thanks for THESE examples! 🙂
By J.D. Silverwood (@jdsilverwood) on January 23, 2019 at 2:20 pm
I’m now see how the first lines of text are so important
By Kyle McBride on January 23, 2019 at 3:06 pm
Great reminder, Thank you!
By Helen Taylor on January 23, 2019 at 3:40 pm
They why and how are so important. Thank you for reminding me of this!
By Dani Duck on January 23, 2019 at 6:02 pm
thanks, some really useful points here.
By Francoise on January 23, 2019 at 7:19 pm
The 4W’s! Yes! Thank you, Shutta!
By Amanda Davis on January 23, 2019 at 8:23 pm
Thanks for the wonderful first line examples!
By Buffy Silverman on January 23, 2019 at 11:14 pm
Wow, Shutta! I’ve spent a few days thinking about this and improving the opening lines of several of my mss. Thank you so much for your insight!
By Michelle Sumovich on January 24, 2019 at 1:56 am
First lines are so important. Great post to help us examine them!
By Sherry Howard on January 24, 2019 at 4:30 am
Great way to put it: “…tucks the reader in.”
Thanks for the post!
By LAUREN BARBIERI on January 24, 2019 at 12:28 pm
Great post! Thank you!
By alisongoldberg on January 24, 2019 at 1:56 pm
Great examples of first lines that work in different ways, but still cover the critical information to draw the reader into the story. Thanks, Shutta.
By Joannie Duris on January 24, 2019 at 3:13 pm
I love this. I’m going to go check a few books right now. And for middle grade, this might happen in the first paragraph, page, or chapter. I’m on the look out now!
By photojaq on January 24, 2019 at 4:09 pm
Great idea to analyze beginnings and get right to the 4w’s. Thanks!
By claireannette1 on January 24, 2019 at 4:16 pm
Thanks for reminding me not to forget what I learned in journalism classes.
By Janet Halfmann on January 24, 2019 at 5:22 pm
What a great reminder about the basics of good storytelling. Thank you.
By sharongiltrow on January 25, 2019 at 2:59 am
Excellent formula, Shutta. Thanks!
By Becky Shillington on January 25, 2019 at 11:00 am
Yep. Back to my journalism classes and being the editor of our high school newspaper. We’re all reporters reporting what’s happening in our stories.
By rrmalin on January 25, 2019 at 11:01 am
Applying a journalistic eye to finding story is a great tool.
By topangamaria on January 25, 2019 at 12:23 pm
Great reminder about opening lines 🙂
By Shanah Salter on January 25, 2019 at 1:21 pm
Think like a journalist. Got it 🙂
By laura516 on January 25, 2019 at 2:01 pm
I enjoyed looking and thinking over the examples you gave. Thank you:)
By Elizabeth Steiner on January 25, 2019 at 2:39 pm
Love the idea that the first sentence answers most of questions: who, what, when and where.
By dlapmandi on January 25, 2019 at 6:00 pm
Where do I comment? Right here! Why should I do so? To be eligible for the prize drawing, silly. When do I win? Thanks, Shutta.
By Lucky Jo Boscarino on January 26, 2019 at 7:34 am
Thank you.
By Shel ledrew on January 26, 2019 at 9:31 am
Thank you! Very informative.
-Anna Levin
By rhumba20 on January 26, 2019 at 2:59 pm
I’ll remember this for a long time to come. Thank you for inviting me into your classroom today.
By Robyn Campbell on January 26, 2019 at 10:06 pm
Thank You! I’m learning so much about writing. This is fun!
By Janet A Bryce on January 27, 2019 at 9:07 am
Applying journalism principles to children’s books is genius! Thank you for sharing.
By Kristin Wauson on January 27, 2019 at 11:14 am
I love the multiple examples given. Thanks!
By Terri Sabol on January 27, 2019 at 5:25 pm
I love having formulas. Thanks for the reminder about the journalism approach.
By Joyce on January 27, 2019 at 5:55 pm
Excellent and helpful advise. Thanks a lot!
By Maria J Cuesta on January 27, 2019 at 6:49 pm
Thanks. Great advice.
By Andrew Lefebvre on January 27, 2019 at 8:35 pm
Such good advice!
Thank you!!
By Michelle O'Hara Levin on January 28, 2019 at 10:12 am
Good reminder there are rules – and to wisely break them!
By cantsing1 on January 28, 2019 at 12:01 pm
So good
By Brandon Collins on January 28, 2019 at 2:47 pm
Thank you for this! ❤
By Shelly Hawley-Yan on January 28, 2019 at 9:38 pm
Sometimes we need to be reminded of the basics. “Who, what, when and where – and then why and how”. What a wonderful formula for success! Thank you, Shutta Crum, you genius, you! (the examples were outstanding)
By Susie Sawyer on January 29, 2019 at 12:45 pm
If only I was confident in verse. Super fun, thank you for sharing.
By Kassy Keppol on January 29, 2019 at 12:46 pm
What a great challenge. I think I’ll reread some of my favorites and see how the first lines answer those W questions!
By hannahtuohyillustration on January 29, 2019 at 1:45 pm
Thank you, you always have wonderful info to share.
By Julie Rand on January 29, 2019 at 4:38 pm
This is all SO true. Without that info, readers can definitely feel unsettled. There have been many picture book biographies that I have LOVED, but that didn’t include the where or when anywhere in the main text. What?! Of course, I don’t want to be bogged down with details and a zillion dates, but no mention of century? Country? Yikes.
By Laura Purdie Salas on January 29, 2019 at 5:34 pm
Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever thought of story opening in terms of who, what, when, where. Thanks!
By Carolyn on January 29, 2019 at 11:04 pm
Perfect examples. Thank you!
By Charlene Avery on January 29, 2019 at 11:36 pm
I am intrigued to try finding the four Ws in the first line of my favorite picture books.
By Susan Tuggy on January 30, 2019 at 12:48 am
Great nuts and bolts wisdom. I’ll be analyzing opening lines…
By Vicky Howard on January 30, 2019 at 10:23 am
Just read openings in Ann Whitford Paul’s Writing Picture Books and this was a perfect supplement, I can’t wait to try it out (then try it again and again and again😉)
By Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez on January 30, 2019 at 3:20 pm
Really concrete post with great info. Thanks, Shutta.
By sallie wolf on January 30, 2019 at 5:33 pm
This is an excellent reminder of what we know. I’m going to go study first lines again! Thanks for sharing.
By Sharalyn Edgeberg on January 30, 2019 at 7:57 pm
Niggly…now that’s an interesting word that SOUNDS fun to say but not quite the definition I expected for such a fun sounding word.
By angelapenadahle on January 30, 2019 at 8:51 pm
This is an enlightening article. Thanks for the tips.
By Cindy E. Owens on January 31, 2019 at 12:24 am
I think I do this accidentally, but I need to be more mindful of doing it in the most effective way.
By Jocelyn Rish on January 31, 2019 at 1:28 am
Great advice! Thanks!
By Brittanny Handiboe on January 31, 2019 at 5:48 am
Sound advice. The lead is so important to engaging the reader!
Michele Katz Grieder
By creationsbymit on January 31, 2019 at 10:18 am
Great advice and visuals! Thank you.
By higherthanrubies on January 31, 2019 at 7:39 pm
Thanks, good to be reminded off the importance of the 5 W’s.
By Laurie Swindler on January 31, 2019 at 10:28 pm
Good information to remember.
By denitajohnson on February 1, 2019 at 3:08 pm
Nice opening lines. That was fun. Thanks for picking them apart and showing how and why they work.
By Dianne on February 3, 2019 at 1:14 pm
Excellent reminders of the basic 4 (or 5) W’s. Thanks so much!
By Johna Nicole Rossetti on February 3, 2019 at 4:34 pm
Thank you for showing us how sometimes leaving out one or two of the four Ws can enhance a story. You’ve made it very clear.
By Susan Orton on February 3, 2019 at 7:59 pm
I’ve given a lot of thought since I read this post about the what where when who. Great post!
By loelmu on February 4, 2019 at 4:38 pm
Heading back to reread some favorite children’s books with a new perspective!
By Jess Bourgeois on February 4, 2019 at 5:32 pm
Great point to doublecheck, thank you!
By Sylvia Chen on January 28, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Great advice. Thanks for sharing!
By DANIELLE GOOBIE on January 14, 2021 at 10:39 pm
Such good advice! We all have our favorite first lines. Thanks for reminding us to look at them carefully.
By Myra Sanderman on January 16, 2021 at 9:47 pm