SACRED

Or . . . . “How to write a ‘cool’ lead

S = setting

“Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlor of Laburnum Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly.” (“The Monkey’s Paw”)

A = action

“Mark and me went down to the bar/pool hall about two or three blocks from where we lived with the sole intention of making some money.”

~That Was Then, This Is Now

C = character

“True! – nervous – very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am! But why will you say that I am mad?” ~“The Tell-Tale Heart”

R = reflection

“When I was little, my Uncle Peter had a necktie with a porcupine painted on it. I thought that necktie was just about the neatest thing in the world. Uncle Pete would stand patiently before me while I ran my fingers over the silky surface, half expecting to be stuck by one of the quills.” ~Stargirl

E = event

“The day after my mother died, the priest and I

wrapped her body in a gray shroud and carried

her to the village. Our burden was not great. In

life she had been a small woman with little

strength. Death made her even less.”

~Crispin

D = dialogue

“Too many!!” James shouted, and slammed the door behind him. “What?” said Will. “Too many kids in this family, that’s what. Just too many.”

~ The Dark is Rising

Practice . . .

Now, highlight your lead and . . .

Practice . . .

1. Write a new lead using one of the techniques we just discussed . . .

Practice . . .

2. Swap papers, read, and “steal.” Write another new lead . . .

Practice . . .

3. Cross our the first sentence of your narrative. Is your second sentence an even better lead??