The 4 Must-Haves Every Opening Scene Needs
Emma Dhesi
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In this session, you’ll discover:
A strong novel opening must introduce a clear main character, include movement or action to create momentum, establish setting and tone through vivid description, and present a micro tension. With examples across genres and a simple planning exercise, Emma Dhesi highlights how these four elements lay the foundation for a compelling and emotionally resonant beginning.
Session Links:
Comment Below With Your Key Takeaways Or If You Have Questions About The Session.
Useful takeaways, thank you.
Hi Emma, I am on your mailing list, and that is how I learned about this extraordinary summit. I enjoyed your talk, as always, and took lots of notes about the opening scene.
Thank you, Emma Dhesi, for your clearly organized session on the importance of the opening scene. As you moved through elements of the presentation, I was able to tap into my existing manuscript to note what I’ve done well and what changes I need to make. Excellent support! Thank you so much!
I really enjoyed your presentation. Thank you.
Very interesting and I will check my book to make sure I have everything you suggested
Great information. The 4 Must Haves and the exercise provided at the end are very helpful to think about as one is writing. Thank you, Emma!
Love the exercise you gave us to create a chart for each of the four elements.
This was really interesting and helpful. Thanks.
Thanks, Emma. I learned some new tips and tricks, and will apply them to the novel I’m writing from an old short story about Appalachia.
Best of luck on your writing journey!
Thank you for your session, Emma. The common pitfalls section was very helpful! 🙂
These were really useful tips! I loved how you presented it with such clarity while still leaving room for nuance across different writing styles and genres. However, please consider removing the f word as this is a children’s book summit and it is inappropriate and unneeded. There are plenty of other examples that can be used instead.
I like the idea of the first scene as the foundation of the book. Nice clear explanation of what to avoid and what to include, especially that micro-conflict. I think your exercise will be really helpful in revising my story. Thank you!
Very useful information, thank you so much!!
Fantastic. I am now going to pack a number of printouts I have on opening scenes. You gave specific and succinct items that need to be addressed. I am also now throwing out a prologue I had started. THANK YOU.
Thank you Emma ! Very helpful.