tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post8206840321981005801..comments2024-03-27T18:06:04.484-04:00Comments on Murder by 4: Where Is the True Opening In Your Book?Marta Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-42058818878015428982008-04-09T23:37:00.000-04:002008-04-09T23:37:00.000-04:00Man, you are spot on here, M. I have begun to auto...Man, you are spot on here, M. I have begun to automatically cut the first page of everything I write, cuz I know it is NOT the real beginning. I know I am on the right track when one or another of my critters says, this beginning is too slow. Then I can cut and feel good about it.Kim Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13933746166088034102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-54161326881833837632008-04-09T15:19:00.000-04:002008-04-09T15:19:00.000-04:00It's not so much a conscious choice on the part of...It's not so much a conscious choice on the part of the writer, but rather the characters. I know that sounds a bit esoterical but once I really know my characters and have worked through more than a dozen drafts it's clear what starts before what. <BR/><BR/>I've recently returned to editing my third novel. Yes, draft number twelve!<BR/><BR/>I debated back and forth last night about onr word in the opening line even though for a long time this chapter has started the book.<BR/><BR/>I wasn't sure if the young narrator would in fact know the word "bombing" and that's what she was in until someoned named it as such. So for me that word is now removed. Because ultimately it's about what is true to the characters experience. <BR/><BR/>While the word bombing may make it more sensatitional and attract some readers it is not the thrust of the story. The story is about the girl's journey to find out why she was in a building when it blew up and the role her family may or may not have played in it.Julie Ann Shapirohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06613501007582494658noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-73470025885233394792008-04-09T10:42:00.000-04:002008-04-09T10:42:00.000-04:00Hey thanks James. I hope you enjoy the rest of the...Hey thanks James. I hope you enjoy the rest of the book as much as the first chapter! :)<BR/><BR/>Aaron, I don't think we're every satisfied. The writing can always use some improvement.<BR/><BR/>For those of you who remember the old Carol Burnett Show, she had a great skit that took place in an author’s mind as she typed her novel. The skit was about the characters being moved around each time she changed her mind about the scene (i.e.: “John walked in and sat on the couch.” Er…no “John walked in, slammed the door, and yelled for Christine.” Er…no. “John dropped to his knees and cried.” <BR/><BR/>You get the picture. It was hilarious to see this poor character stop in mid action each time the author changed her mind. I thought about this skit several times during the numerous rewrites of SILENCED CRY’s first chapter.Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-32761558303248947282008-04-09T10:37:00.000-04:002008-04-09T10:37:00.000-04:00Wonderful article, Marta. And such a critical issu...Wonderful article, Marta. And such a critical issue. I wonder if I went back over my twelve books now - knowing what I've learned in the past ten years - if I'd think I really started in the perfect spot??? Of course, that applies to everything to do with writing skills. It's so hard to have a stable of books that precede your current skill level. But that's the way it goes - we learn as we write. We write more. We learn more. And so on, and so on. I often wonder how Dean Koontz feels about his first book?<BR/>;o)Aaron Paul Lazarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06117814221437165664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-71490322339519849632008-04-09T10:02:00.000-04:002008-04-09T10:02:00.000-04:00That was a fantastic beginning chapter, Marta. It ...That was a fantastic beginning chapter, Marta. It definately made me want to keep turning the page. I like the use of dialogue to set the scene and mood rather than descriptive paragraphs.<BR/><BR/>I've officially put Silenced Cry on my TBR list. :DJames Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08807865320537867045noreply@blogger.com