Opener Exercise

Once in a class, we read the first few lines of books that had incredible openers. After sharing them and talking about what author's did in those beginnings to really catch the reader, we were challenged to write a beginning for a book. This is what I produced.

"What the hell do you mean you weren't a premie?"
I held the phone away as I responded. "Mom said Dad exaggerated. I was like 2 weeks early, but not technically a premie."
There was a long pause as I waited for my brother to respond. Finally, a sigh. "So all those arguements I won when I told you you were just a stupid premie with low brain function...?"
"Yeah. I think I retroactively win those."
"....I am going to kill Dad."
I could tell he was getting ready to get off the phone. "Oh! Matt, one more thing."
"What?"
"I'm 9 months pregnant and I can still touch my toes."
He hung up.


There is potential in this starter. I could certainly write about my first experiences as a mother. What's changed, what hasn't. I think I could probably put a different take on it. A take that isn't afraid to say the truth about what goes through my mind in early parenthood....