Thank you. This was concise and quite useful. I have written complex appellate briefs where I have spent hours on the first paragraph and even the first sentence. This is to say that my clients have paid hundreds of dollars for the first paragraph alone.

I nearly think it insane while I do it but I always keep coming back to that intro to tighten and really get it to say it all including between the words. We have a set structure including a mandatory intro to state the issues succinctly. Setting the flavor to get what I need for my client- an overturning of injustice from a mis-application of the law, generally, requires clarity which must begin in the first sentence to hook the justices to read all of the brief so I can win.

Yesterday I came to the idea that I should end my first book the way I have start it so far. The same words work to engage the reader in the middle of the story where I start (the trial I eventually lose) and to create a call to action at the end of the book (reformation of the justice system in ways I will expound upon).

So the first and last sentence will be: ALL RISE. Ha! Are you there yet? I sure hope that works since I am not use to writing to engage lay people. Thanks again. This is the best advise I have gotten in awhile and I read writing advice constantly!