1. I am mimicking the opening of Tim O'Brien's On the Rainy River. I really like the ambiguous opening of this story and the unknown story that lies further within. These types of introductions intrigue me which is what I hope to do in my own writing. I like to set stories up for a kind of mystery for the reader to figure out and then ponder later. I enjoy reading mysteries and thriller novels which I think is why I write the way I do. I wouldn't say I am a fan of the happy ending, but one where I can think about what may have actually taken place. Never did I think that I'd be in this situation. Here, with no one to talk to, but you. I couldn't stand to look at you yesterday and here I am expressing to you my deepest secret. Since I can remember my first thought, I haven't been the same as everyone else. Even my thoughts are clouded with questions and details that no one else needs to worry about. The world looks grim the way I see it. People hurt each other, prices on everything are ridiculously high, and here I sit hiding what I am because of the judgment I would receive otherwise. Little do you know that the reason why I am an orphan isn't because my parents didn't want me, or they were too young when they had me, or because they were abusive, it's because I am not human. Well, not fully. I have powers others cannot imagine and because of that I was placed here to improve this town in the way you treat each other. My family is a part of many who are spread throughout the world whose intentions are to better humanity, since our kind does not think you can do it on your own. I am telling this to you because I know you are not human, but I don't think you are of my blood either. 2. 1. “Wait! I'm telling you the truth because I didn't want what happened to her to be your fate as well.” 2. Why is he looking at me as if he knows what I'm thinking? 3. This dark, hateful, God-forsaken place cannot break us apart, but only shape us into becoming better than who we were. 4. The clouds lifted as if space was reabsorbing the dust it spread over the planet. 5. “I said stop! No one needs to feel that way, that's why I'm here.” 6. Humans act as if they are the only intelligent life here, but if they would only overcome their arrogance they would finally start learning. 7. “War is nothing to scoff at. I learned this the hard way.” 8. It feels like my insides were set in the opposite place they were meant to be when I empathize with someone. 9. Why are those that are angry more successful at spreading that hate to others while the joyous celebrate alone? 10. I felt the ground shake and the sun beat down on the Earth the first time I got a smile out of him. My favorite of these openings is number four. I think this has an interesting way at setting the stage. The mood is sort of eerie to push that mystery-like tone while questions can immediately form within the readers mind to ask more of the setting, characters, and so on.