THE DREADED BEGINNING

Each story has a beginning and an end. The end comes naturally for me, but the dreaded beginning is something I struggle with no matter how many books I write.Beginnings should start with a bang. We do want our readers to read more and finish our book.

We should begin with the present. Even if your book is a historical, you start with the present. Do not start a book with backstory. You can always weave the backstory into the story later.

Here are my first few lines of the next book I\’m writing.
\”Liberty Garcia, this is the FBI. Open up!\” The voice yelled through the front door. The doorbell began to ring incessantly, and someone banged on the door.
My dad and Uncle Manuel knew this day would come, but would an FBI agent be involved? I had to move fast.
My clothes lay on a chair beside my bed, as did my purse and phone. I quickly grabbed them and headed for my closet. Closing the door behind me, I placed my toe on the board with the secret latch. The back of my closet opened. The safe room.

Can you see the bang? What is happening to Liberty that she has to have a safe room?