tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post6937810498601632367..comments2024-03-27T18:06:04.484-04:00Comments on Murder by 4: Don't Come Too Early or Stay Too LateMarta Stephenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-14790557969873873182009-09-12T18:50:29.857-04:002009-09-12T18:50:29.857-04:00Marta, this is a super piece. You're so right ...Marta, this is a super piece. You're so right - it's really hard on the first draft to even think of these things. And it can take a great deal of playing around with the story to choose that perfect opener and perfect ending. You are the master at this! Thanks for reminding us to pay attention!Aaron Paul Lazarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06117814221437165664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-29740573290389320732009-09-09T22:42:25.247-04:002009-09-09T22:42:25.247-04:00Marta,
Some excellent examples to illustrate your...Marta,<br /><br />Some excellent examples to illustrate your point.<br /><br />Looking over some of my favorite authors, and those which I have faded away from, those that remained strong from beginning of their career and still going (or until the end) remain to have good starting paragraphs, if not lines.<br /><br />I think some of it comes with established authors, and those readers who are fans (or enjoy them enough to pick up their next book) don't feel the need to have to 'wow' from the first sentence, as they're a known quantity, and the reader is confident that the author will deliver the goods.Terry W. Ervin IIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561009802388207515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-18919660076199556392009-09-09T21:04:50.686-04:002009-09-09T21:04:50.686-04:00Ah, too true, those all important opening lines. A...Ah, too true, those all important opening lines. And closing lines. I do think your stories open well, Marta!<br /><br />I actually wrote an entire book based on the very last sentence. And it only took me ten years to get the rest of the book right. :-)s.w. vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102544611773720262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-40046735120630067652009-09-09T20:52:26.734-04:002009-09-09T20:52:26.734-04:00Hi Cher, I think that happens to all of us. I thin...Hi Cher, I think that happens to all of us. I think the more we grow as writers, the greater our expectations are of others.Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-79920380394293979342009-09-09T20:47:20.367-04:002009-09-09T20:47:20.367-04:00Interesting. I grabbed a few novels and checked ou...Interesting. I grabbed a few novels and checked out the opening lines. I found it a little disappointing to see that only a couple had lines that grabbed you. This could explain my failing interest in the books.<br /><br />The one I'm currently reading is by one of my favorite authors. It just doesn't grab me like his other work has done in the past. I've noticed that by becoming more involved in my writing, my reading interest have fallen short.<br /><br />Guess it's time to find new favorites.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-87210318312998569262009-09-09T19:21:23.599-04:002009-09-09T19:21:23.599-04:00Hi ladies!!
Joylene, you've really touched ...Hi ladies!! <br /><br />Joylene, you've really touched me. Thank you so much!<br /><br />Kim and I are doing a shoulder to shoulder thing--both on our first drafts and oh the conversations we've had these past few months. But you know, it's okay to be wordy in your first draft. That's when you want to put every thought you have down. The important thing, which I know you do, Kim, is edit the heck out of your writing for a polished finish. :)Marta Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14126647102399666578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-18868643962565536612009-09-09T17:16:39.961-04:002009-09-09T17:16:39.961-04:00SO true! I am the queen of authorial throat-cleari...SO true! I am the queen of authorial throat-clearing. I always start my story about half-way down the page and I now realize that. Sure helps to know it so you can know where the REAL beginning is!Kim Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13933746166088034102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-22753158892235162882009-09-09T17:13:54.768-04:002009-09-09T17:13:54.768-04:00"The first time my husband hit me I was ninet..."The first time my husband hit me I was nineteen years old," is the opening to Anna Quinden's novel BLACK AND BLUE. I remember that opening blew me away. It was so disturbing, yet telling. <br /><br />I think Stephen King is the king of openings. I tried studying all of his in hopes that his skill would rub off on me. <br /><br />I love the openings in your books, Marta. It shows your strong desire to perfect that first encounter with your reader. I think you do that very well. But, I also think what sets you apart from many writers is you fulfill your promise. It's not enough to grab your readers from the opening, a good writer promises an adventure and carries through that promise. <br />--<br />joyleneEvery Day Bloggershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12017432862476364849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6001825743960552008.post-59127344995626632332009-09-09T13:16:45.766-04:002009-09-09T13:16:45.766-04:00Interesting. I'm going to start going through ...Interesting. I'm going to start going through my old manuscripts with this in mind.Sheila Deethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13465615546936319164noreply@blogger.com