Weekend Escapes in The First Line

The First Line is one of those little magazines with a big concept.  Their mission:

The purpose of The First Line is to jump start the imagination-to help writers break through the block that is the blank page. Each issue contains short stories that stem from a common first line; it also provides a forum for discussing favorite first lines in literature. The First Line is an exercise in creativity for writers and a chance for readers to see how many different directions we can take when we start from the same place.

Don't you love that?  It really is amazing how many different stories can come from the same line.    

My story, Weekend Escapes, appears in the Summer 2010 issue.  The first line is "Paul and Miriam Kaufman met the old-fashioned way."  As soon as I read that line, I had visions of sock hops and soda fountains.  Then I wondered if that scenario was ever really true or just one of those made-up nostalgia moments.  Who would yearn for that story to be true?  Why?

You can see how winding - and wonderful - a road that can be!  To see where my road ended up and to see where the other authors traveled, check out the Summer 2010 issue.  It's available for purchase on The First Line website and in select stores. 

(For all you writers out there, check out the upcoming "first lines" and submission guidelines!)