Summarize the following:
The first line of your story should raise questions in the reader’s mind but also ground the reader in the story. A good opening line will tell the reader what the story is about, have a distinct voice or point of view, and a hint of characterization.  For example, you may decide to write a story about your fear of velcro, set in a dystopian world. You may have the following opening line: “Sara tried to sit still while the men tightened the velcro straps around her wrists, squeezing her eyes shut to block out the terrifying sound.” This opening line introduces the main character, Sara, and places her in a scene where she is experiencing fear and discomfort. It also raises questions in the reader’s mind, such as who are “the men” and why is Sara being strapped down? These questions will keep your reader engaged and willing to keep turning the page. Try to start your story in scene, where your character or characters are moving, interacting, or doing something. Starting in a scene with action will engage your reader right away and hook them in so they are encouraged to keep reading. It will also help to ground the reader in the story and help them to feel carried along by the story.  Try to place your main character in a scene where they are in distress or unsettled in some way. This will introduce the horror element of the story right away. For example, you may open your story with a scene where your main character is being strapped into a device. You may then describe how it feels for your character to be in the device and her thought process of trying to escape the device while her captors try to keep her strapped down. You are writing a horror story after all, so do not be afraid to introduce terrifying or unsettling details within the first paragraph of the story. By the end of the first paragraph, your reader should know the setting and the conflict. Your reader should also have a good sense of terror or fear by the end of the first page of the story, as you want to evoke strong emotions from your reader. For example, you may try to include gory details like blood, guts, mucus, brain matter, or saliva in the first paragraph of your story. Try to use the gory details sparingly and a little at a time so the story does not feel cliche or familiar. That way, when you do include some gore, it's more impactful for your reader. Your horror story should also include a main conflict, where your main character is spurred into action in some way. The main conflict of your horror story should appear within the first several paragraphs or the first one to two pages of your story. Having a conflict in your story as soon as possible will keep your reader engaged and help to build tension in your story.  For example, you may have a main character who is trying to get rid of a ghost in her home. This could be the main conflict that you introduce in the story right away. The rest of the story could then be about her attempt to get rid of the ghost in her house without getting hurt or harming anyone in her family. Another common overarching conflict is the theme of survival, wherein your character must face a terrifying situation that threatens their life if they cannot escape it. If you decide to withhold the conflict from the reader until later in the story, you should have a good reason for doing this. Withholding information should only be done intentionally and for the benefit of the story, as your reader may get confused or lost without this information. You should also try to always use the active voice in your opening section and throughout your story, rather than the passive voice. The passive voice can end up making your sentences sound bland or dry. You want to create sentences that are engaging and dynamic to your reader, with a lot of action and forward momentum.  For example, rather than start your story with the line: “The straps are cold on Sara’s skin as the men strap her into the chair," which is passive and confusing, you may start with: “Sara feels the straps, cold and metal, on her skin as the men hold her down in the chair.” The second sentence uses the active voice and places the subject of the sentence,“Sara," next to the verb in the sentence, “feels.” Using the active voice does not mean you are limited to only using first person, present for your point of view. You can still use the active voice in the past tense, using third person or second person. You can get a better sense of start your horror story with a bang by reading example beginnings from popular, well known horror stories. Use these openings as a model or guide for your own story. Examples include:  The beginning of “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe: “True! --nervous --very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad?” The opening lines tell the reader right away that the narrator is unsettled, very nervous, and possibly mad. It is a great opening that puts the reader on edge right away and prepares them for an unsettling story. The beginning of  “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates: “Her name was Connie. She was fifteen and she had a quick, nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors or checking other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right.” The beginning lines are deceptively simple but they introduce the main character, provide her young age and gender, and characterize the main character as possibly vain and naive. These lines prepare the reader for a story about the main character that is flawed and possibly susceptible to outside influence. The beginning of 1984 by George Orwell: “It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.” This beginning line is well known and admired for its ability to cram all the craft elements of the story in one sentence. The reader is grounded in setting and set up with an unsettling image, a day that is bright and cold. The clocks striking thirteen also feel like a bad omen and sign of misfortune to come.

summary: Create an informative, engaging first line. Start in scene. Introduce terrifying or unsettling details right away. Include a main conflict. Use the active voice. Read example beginnings.


Summarize the following:
Exercise can be a great way to get away from the computer. It keeps your body healthy and releases endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel good.  Try something that might compare to the things you enjoy on the computer. For example, if you enjoy computer games that involve exploring new places, try going for a hike in the woods. If you like computer games that you play with other people, try playing a team sport. Take up a creative pursuit such as music or art. If you're unsure where to begin you could sign up for a class. You can also ask friends to do the activity with you if you don't want to do it alone.  If you like doing design work on the computer, you might enjoy an art class. If you use the computer to read and learn about the world, try going to a museum or a lecture. If you do a lot of online shopping, head downtown or to the local mall. If you like playing games online, try playing board games with friends or at your local game store. If you like watching movies on your computer, go to the movie theater to see a film instead. Choose friends who have a healthy relationship with their computer. Make plans to spend time together out of the house, doing things that don’t involve or require computers.  If you want to play games together, play board games or games outdoors. If you want to watch a film, go to your local movie theater. You can also prepare meals together or go to a restaurant, take a walk, or even listen to music on a CD or record player.
summary: Get some exercise. Try a new hobby. Find new styles of entertainment. Spend time with friends.