Opening paragraphs can be one of the most important — and most challenging — parts of any story. Even if writers have the perfect details swimming in their brains, what’s the best way to kickstart those first lines (and keep readers reading)? Action? Dialogue? A question?

In this 2-week workshop, we’ll examine a variety of story openings and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Then, you’ll revise your opening paragraphs multiple times, exploring what works best for your work in progress. You’ll post your assignments during both weeks, giving and receiving feedback, and are encouraged to share your writing process.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have at least two distinctly new versions of your original story opening, plus a greater understanding of how different styles for different projects can benefit your writing.

Takeaway:
By the end of this workshop, students will have at least two distinctly new versions of their original story opening, plus a greater understanding of how different styles for different projects can benefit their writing.

Tina Tocco is a Pushcart Prize nominee for fiction. An award-winning writer for both adults and kids, she has published across genres in various magazines and literary journals, including New Ohio Review, Roanoke Review, River Styx, Italian Americana, Highlights for Kids, and Cricket. Tina has also contributed to anthologies, such as The Best Small Fictions 2019 (Sonder Press, 2019), Best Nonfiction Food (Woodhall Press, 2020), and #Me, Too, Anch’io: An Italian-American Women’s Anthology (Poets Wear Prada, 2020). She has taught for Barnes & Noble, GrubStreet, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the Hudson Valley Writers Center, Westchester Community College, and other organizations. Tina earned her MFA from Manhattanville College, where she was editor-in-chief of Inkwell, the college’s national literary journal. Visit with …

Romance Writers Online will conduct this workshop via a discussion board forum located on this website.  However, access to the site is restricted by login and password to ensure that the workshop is only available to those that are authorized to attend.  This is not an email loop workshop.

How is this workshop held? This workshop is held on a forum-bulletin board based system.

Will I get a reminder that the workshop has started? Yes, you will receive a reminder one day before the workshop starts with information about access the forum.

I didn’t get the email, help! Check your spam filter, and if it’s not there please email workshops@romancewritersonline.org