Darcy Evans

@MateoTrujillo7 
            
            (forgot to add onto 3. 'Once Upon a Time'. 
            If you're writing a children's story, fine, but if not... XD
            
            So now for my do's.
            
            When I start a story, I pay little mind to the reader. 
            No that is not a typo. I seriously could not care less when beginning a story whether the reader knows what's going on or not. Sometimes it works for me, sometimes it doesn't. I like to think it draws a reader in, makes them want to know what's happening and why, and compels them to keep reading.
            That's just my theory anyway.
            
            When I start, I normally begin in the middle. I have always been terrible at deciding when to start a story, and as a result, the beginnings tended to simply drag out until I eventually just gave up and started whenever.
            I began to write from the middle of the story, and flesh it out from there. I didn't do the introductions thing, I didn't do the whole, 'tell the reader what I look like by looking in the mirror acting totally vain while trying to be completely humble and contrite' That is weak writing. Don't do that.
            
            Alright, example.
            
            No.
            [I opened my eyes and groaned, covering my eyes from the sun that shone through my curtains, wishing I could go back to sleep.]
            
            First sentence and I'm kind of wanting to sleep myself.
            
            Yes.
            [I grumbled as I ate my bacon and eggs, watching my parents fight for the millionth time over the same stupid thing.]
            
            Okay, maybe not worthy of a story starter but it's a major improvement on 'Woke up' The second one you at least want to know what their parents are fighting about, and why. There are questions, a feel for the MC already, instead of just knowing their morning habits rather than anything important.
            
            
            I'm sorry I can't give you anything more insightful but I'm figuratively dead on my feet with a barely functioning brain right now. I'm actually pretty proud of myself for writing as much as I have already.
            
            I would love to read a story of yours if you post it, if you'd like my opinion? (Opinion not critique)

@MateoTrujillo7 Hey, apologies for not replying for so long.
            
            I really don't have much advice, or expertise on the matter. When I start a story I kind of just... start it?
            I do however have three rules of thumb though that I try to follow.
            
            1. I never start a story with 'Hello, my name is ...' Or anything that is basically the MC talking to the reader unless it is somehow made fantastically awesome and doesn't just come down to 'I am ... This is my story'
            That is just boring and I quit doing that in year six. (If I'd been attending a school that was worth the bills I would have quit writing like that in year three)
            
            2. Never start with 'I woke up' I used to have writing manuals (pff) that gave story suggestions including the way to start them, each of them gave the whole 'Opened my eyes to a new day, sun was shining and I could smell the bacon.' Just... No. Never start a story with 'I woke up.' It's nowhere near as bad as 1. But, it's almost. In my mind at least.  I've never understood why people do start with that, I guess it's the whole, new day new beginning thing? I don't know. But it's boring and over done.
            
            3. 'It was a day like any other'. No. This is another overdone cliché beginning to a book or story. Just... no. I don't even know what bugs me about it, it just does.
            
            Those are my don'ts.
            
            (I will post a second comment, as my initial reply is too long)

no worries!

haha, that's cool!

@DarcyEvans

Awesome! I shall do that now, and thanks for the follow!

no worries, they were deserved!

@DarcyEvans it feels strange lol. I think it still counts! Good luck with your writing

Haha no? I've met one person, but I knew them from school so I don't think that counts.

No problem, you have really good writing ^_^