tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556528429571644528.post4587760377201475270..comments2024-03-13T06:31:17.010-04:00Comments on Susan Says: Start HereSusan Gourley/Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556528429571644528.post-86845512797068899612011-03-02T21:42:53.121-05:002011-03-02T21:42:53.121-05:00I guess I like books that start with something sor...I guess I like books that start with something sort of unexpected happening. Maybe an opening line that makes you think, "Wait, what?" which makes you keep reading.<br /><br />I'm working on my first round of revisions on my first novel so now, of course, I'm going to have to go make certain that's what I've done!Name: Holly Bownehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01079363337603264641noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556528429571644528.post-57453415106924668212011-03-02T21:27:12.700-05:002011-03-02T21:27:12.700-05:00I don't mind novels that start with the action...I don't mind novels that start with the action, but I feel like some writers overdo this now and it takes me several pages to work out what's going on and who my protagonist is. I like reading novels where it starts with the main character just before the action.Charmaine Clancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06642615452680721583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556528429571644528.post-82320934049874419792011-03-02T15:49:43.916-05:002011-03-02T15:49:43.916-05:00A ton of backstory!A ton of backstory!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556528429571644528.post-21731539154388490202011-03-02T01:24:28.509-05:002011-03-02T01:24:28.509-05:00dream sequences turn me off or long descriptions w...dream sequences turn me off or long descriptions where nothing happens. Sometimes I just have to write that first chapter before I can ditch it. It's a good way of getting it all out to order some thoughts.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556528429571644528.post-51633885305806624462011-03-01T23:07:51.037-05:002011-03-01T23:07:51.037-05:00I received the same advice to throw out the first ...I received the same advice to throw out the first chapter of my current wip, and I think the ms is much better for it. I write fantasy, and it is hard to let the reader know what's going on without doing a massive information dump, but it's also a fun challenge.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556528429571644528.post-14969354271109723742011-03-01T18:02:10.162-05:002011-03-01T18:02:10.162-05:00Thanks, Ivy. I'm glad I'm in good company...Thanks, Ivy. I'm glad I'm in good company with you, Cate.<br />I've started a few books lately, myself, RaShelle, that I've put down. One by one of my favorite fantasy authors. I don't have time to waste reading something that doesn't grab me.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556528429571644528.post-57011670626727754242011-03-01T13:59:58.877-05:002011-03-01T13:59:58.877-05:00Congrats on being a third of a way through your ne...Congrats on being a third of a way through your next book. Go you.The Happy Whiskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13438469476168485775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556528429571644528.post-84382265707527667882011-03-01T12:41:07.236-05:002011-03-01T12:41:07.236-05:00I've started a lot of books lately and hated e...I've started a lot of books lately and hated every single one of them. I'm beginning to wonder if there's something wrong with me. Maybe I can't be entertained anymore. The last novel I opened and went "wow" was REVOLUTION by Jennifer D. It isn't even that I need something fantastic. Just make it interesting. <br />BTW none of these books were stereotypical either. Maybe it is me. LOL =DRaShelle Workmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17582252557500502186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556528429571644528.post-8434670960666568532011-03-01T10:00:53.667-05:002011-03-01T10:00:53.667-05:00Great post Susan. I've often ditched the first...Great post Susan. I've often ditched the first chapter too. Finding that elusive grabber is tough sometimes!<br />I tend to keep reading through disappointing chapters, if I know some payoff is coming. Or if the author's a favorite.Cate Mastershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01371792447604980848noreply@blogger.com