Tips from Mary Robinette Kowal: 1. In the first 2-3 sentences, establish: - [ ] who, using an action - [ ] where, with a sensory detail - [ ] genre, with a specific, unique detail. In the next two sentences: - [ ] set up the goal (what are they trying to accomplish) - [ ] the stakes (why?) - [ ] and the obstacle (what stands in their way?) Then a try/fail cycle: - [ ] yes, but - [ ] no, and - [ ] no, but - [ ] yes, and