Peanuts by Charles Schulz for August 24, 2016

Novel? That doesn’t even reach the short story status.

Darn writer’s block.

This strip has killed that opening line forever. If you want to start with a late thunderstorm, you have to do it differently.

It’s actually a salute to Edward Bulwer-Lytton, who also coined the phrases “The pen is mightier than the sword,” “The pursuit of the almighty dollar,” and the term “the great unwashed.” (Thank you, Wikipedia). Of course, Old Snoop made him even more popular with the “It was a dark and stormy night” running gag. It inspired the annual Bulwer-Lytton writing contest for the worst opening line to a novel.

keep trying, it will get better

But what about the king?

“When around the corner a meat-wagon flew!

Snoopy’s making fun of the novel “Paul Clifford”

As long as you don’t start out with “Call me Ishmael…”

As I recall, A Wrinkle in Time starts off with that line too..“When around the corner a meat-wagon flew.” Q: What has four wheels and flies?

Really ComicLass, if you commented a few hours later, I wouldn’t have to witness your stupid jumping ICON distraction. Oh I know, you think you should be the center of attention!

Sorry, Snoopy, ol’ pal. One sentence doth not a novel make.

He was a dark and smarmy knight…

It’s a start.

xxx

It was a dark and stormy nightThe lavatory light was dimThere came a crash and then a splashMy God! She’s fallen in!

How adout;The rains was coming from the northwest, down pouring at over 150 mph factoring in the winds. A night no one should be out and about. My name is Snoopy, and I am safe and sound inside my doghouse. I am not on top tonight with the rains and the 150 mph winds raging about. This is storms of storms. Will the flood waters rise?

I don’t know, I’m on the edge of my seat.

Snoopy, maybe you should take a shining to Jack Torrance…

I know! Throw everyone for a loop. Start with: “It was a dark and stormy day.”

I know the feeling, Snoopy, since I’ve done some writing myself and the process is often challenging. However, it’s awesome when things finally click and your piece sounds just like you want. Hang in there, buddy.