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How to write Sizzling Starts - backfill technique

Start with Action

Kids get locked into linear when it comes to writing. They always want to explain in great detail when they woke up, why they had the big dance competition and who they sat next to during the bus trip to the zoo.

However, authors always want to start with action. They use a technique called 'backfill' to fill in the basic background stuff.

Example 1: Snow Skiing Story

Basic Linear Beginning: On the weekend Mum and Dad took me snow skiing for the first time. We drove to the mountain and unpacked all the gear. The next morning we all got up.

Now see how the action AND the information can be given in a different way.

Action Grab: The air was crisp, the snow was wickedly white and I was skiing fast down the mountain.

Way too fast.

Look out!' I cried and the 300 people in the tow queue straight ahead ducked in fear.

Backfill: Mum and Dad and I had gone skiing for the weekend, but the single lesson I'd taken that morning had neglected to teach me how to stop.

Back to Action: Now suddenly it seemed like the whole mountain was flashing before my eyes.

Example 2: Sky Dive

Basic Linear Beginning: One day I asked my daughter what she wanted for her birthday present.

'Sky diving,' she said.

Using the action grab and backfill the scene could be written like this.

Action Grab: Don't forget,' shouted the instructor above the wind noise, 'when you jump out of the plane, head back, arms on your chest.'

I nodded. Gulped. Smiled. Nodded again. And then once again surreptitiously checked the four strong clips that held me to my sky diving instructor.

Backfill: Tandem sky diving is something other people do. Not me.

So exactly why was I about 10,000 feet up in the air and about to jump?

Hey, what else do you do with a daughter on her 21st birthday?

Back to Action: I swear my daughter was born without a fear gene in her body. I looked across at her now, squashed beside me in the plane. She was grinning in delight. She was also trying to persuade her tandem instructor to turn a back somersault in the air with her.

Note: This technique is still 'orientation', it is just a much more interesting way to write.

So show your students how to start with action – and backfill as the action unfolds.