What are people's opinion of the use of a dateline to start a story?
Johnson City
Wyoming Territory
1884
Do you think that's lazy? Or is it a legitimate way of setting the scene?
We're trying so hard to start the story with some action, getting the reader to care about the MC, create some stakes, etc. It's one less thing to cram in the beginning.
Musk Mars Colony #3
November 48, 2039
And a quick and dirty way to let your reader know up front the story is alternate history:
'
Austin
Republic of Texas
March 2, 1936
Rx2
HMx9
SFx1
As a reader I have absolutely no problem with it. It sets the stage easily and quickly.
v36 Q1, Q3 - HM; Q4 - R
v37 Q1 - R; Q2 - SHM; Q4 - HM
v38 Q1 - HM; Q2 - SHM; Q3 - HM; Q4 - HM
v39 Q1 - SHM; Q3 - HM; Q4 -RWC
v40 Q1, Q2 - HM; Q3 - Pending
Doesn't bend my mind. (ie. I'm happy with it.) It's succinct.
?
I have read several stories that used this technique. It is common enough and useful enough that I consider it a tool, not a lazy gimmick. But I do not know if WotF judges have different views.
~ J V Ashley
