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Q&A Is the opening of this story intriguing, "dark" and smooth?

It's not particularly dark. There's so much unknown that we don't even know if we're supposed to worry. A strip club which is so old it feels like it's populated with antiques isn't particularly ...

posted 12y ago by Lauren Ipsum‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-13T12:00:09Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/5749
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T02:23:38Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/5749
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T02:23:38Z (over 4 years ago)
It's not particularly dark. There's so much unknown that we don't even know if we're supposed to worry.

A strip club which is so old it feels like it's populated with antiques isn't particularly dark or scary; it means nobody's there, so there are no threats. It also doesn't imply that everyone disappeared or dropped dead abruptly (which would at least be a mystery).

If you want it to be smoother and more interesting, "slow down" is definitely good advice. You're hurrying us along to the club. "After walking for a while:" well, what does he see? Where is he? Big city, small city, state, country, continent? Are there other people? Other sounds? Cars? Age, make, model, condition? What are the buildings like? What kind (houses, apartments, stores, warehouses, crack dens, empty lots, gardens, museums)? What does the air smell like? Is he near the ocean, a lake, the mountains, an industrial park? Is it summer or winter?

If you want to intrigue the reader, give us something to be intrigued about.

(And, as always, I must compliment you on working so damn hard in what is not your native language.)

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2012-05-24T13:13:14Z (almost 12 years ago)
Original score: 4