This is the part of the story that writers occasionally dread the most. Check that, the lead sentence, or construction of it, can be as time-consuming as the headline is to complete, not to mention equally as wrangling.

Why is that?

The word emphasis comes to mind.

As in, headlines and lead sentences are grabbers commonly referred to as hooks.

Not the kind of hooks you hang your coat on, either.

So, where’s the hook on this piece?

Since it’s begun as another one of my stories about nothing, a la Seinfeld, the requirement for a hook is, how you say, negligible.

That’s because this blog’s success is not predicated on the number of readers, hits, or slices of pizza it receives, although pizza is always good.

There is a “Buy us a beverage” link at the top of the home screen of this blog. You can consider buying us a couple of slices of pizza instead if you like.

There is a page supporting this blog on Facebook. It has become mostly unmanaged save for the auto-posting of each blog post I write here. I hesitate to say the Facebook page lies fallow because it is actually quite active. I regularly post as much as my busy schedule allows.

As for all things Facebook, it is another topic for another blog post, however, I do have to say that I’ve observed I am more at peace than I have ever been in quite some time (as a result of not utilizing it).

Social media is not for everyone. I have found it is certainly not for me in terms of regular participation or interaction.

Consequently, I don’t miss Facebook one iota. It’s actually been so long that I’ve actually logged in that I can’t even remember.

Perhaps it is a result of whenever I did not being particularly memorable.

Back when growing this blog was very important, top of mind, I spent more time than I should have to promote and carry on about it on Facebook.

I used to stress over headlines and lead sentences a lot.

Now that I am at peace with all things related to the blog, including Facebook use or lack thereof, I feel the hooks that are my headline and lead sentence matter less now than ever.

I don’t have an editor, even though I probably should.

The larger critical thought is that I write to please myself.

Some people enjoy my posts.

Others do not.

Since you can’t please everyone, you’ve got to please yourself–or so goes the old song and saying.

And that’s what I’m doing.

If I had my druthers, I would prefer this blog considered like an old friend.

They’re not someone you need to see every day.

They’re not someone you need to speak with or communicate with every day.

They’ve always been a friend and not an acquaintance or associate.

Most times, when you think about them, it makes you smile.

You know you can always count on them because they’ve been with you through thick and thin.

They understand they would not be your close friend if you didn’t have a history of being there for one another.

And, they certainly could not give a care about whether or not a headline or opening sentence makes you click on and read a story you’ve written.

You only need to have one friend like this, too.

So, consider yourself lucky if you do.