Wow
I started this blog sometime in 2009, but posted only twice. In January of this year I decided to try my hand at keeping up. For a long time, I had 1 follower (hi Aven). In February, along came a couple of others. All the sudden, I have 50+. Thank you everyone. I hope you are enjoying my blog - and if there's anything you'd like to see/hear let me know :)
Also, if you have become a follower and I haven't returned the favor, it's probably because I can't get your blog link from your little picture. If you comment in a post, I can get your trail and check out your blog, too.
There's a fabulous contest going on at Shooting Stars. You can win a 40 page crit by an agent, amongst other great prizes. Wow, indeed.
I've mentioned it before, but I'm really struggling over my opening chapter of Roulette. It's so critical to get that first chapter just so.
It must have a strong opening line, a great hook and the voice of your character. I've rewritten my beginning more than I care to count. I think today I managed to get something out that works.
Here are three different opening paragraphs that Roulette has had.
The Dream had begun shortly after my twelfth birthday, three nights after my parents disappeared. They simply vanished without a trace, along with the meanings behind indiscernible words. I always awoke from The Dream feeling disoriented, panicked and very much alone.
Another:
The idiot driving a Jeep Wrangler almost hit me as I scurried across the street with an armful of books. Rain spattered harder onto my head and, with only a brief evil-eye his direction, I picked up speed. At the first locked door I wanted to grab my cell phone and tell them to forget it, but I knew what the answer would be: I'd put this off as long as they would allow already.
I kicked the door and darted back into the afternoon sun-shower in search of a way in.
Yet another:
Everyone wants to change something about their life. For instance, mine would be easier without the constant feeling of being watched. Not to mention the paranoia which accompanies that feeling. Though, it seemed unlikely a killer would wear red.
One of these is the current opener--as of today anyway. *speaks in deep, yet passive voice* All paragraphs subject to change. Actual wording may vary where applicable.
Anybody kept the basics of their original opening? Anyone counted how many different ones they've had? (Those aren't my only versions, just my strongest contenders, and there have been many variables on those paragraphs, even.)
Also, if you have become a follower and I haven't returned the favor, it's probably because I can't get your blog link from your little picture. If you comment in a post, I can get your trail and check out your blog, too.
There's a fabulous contest going on at Shooting Stars. You can win a 40 page crit by an agent, amongst other great prizes. Wow, indeed.
I've mentioned it before, but I'm really struggling over my opening chapter of Roulette. It's so critical to get that first chapter just so.
It must have a strong opening line, a great hook and the voice of your character. I've rewritten my beginning more than I care to count. I think today I managed to get something out that works.
Here are three different opening paragraphs that Roulette has had.
The Dream had begun shortly after my twelfth birthday, three nights after my parents disappeared. They simply vanished without a trace, along with the meanings behind indiscernible words. I always awoke from The Dream feeling disoriented, panicked and very much alone.
Another:
The idiot driving a Jeep Wrangler almost hit me as I scurried across the street with an armful of books. Rain spattered harder onto my head and, with only a brief evil-eye his direction, I picked up speed. At the first locked door I wanted to grab my cell phone and tell them to forget it, but I knew what the answer would be: I'd put this off as long as they would allow already.
I kicked the door and darted back into the afternoon sun-shower in search of a way in.
Yet another:
Everyone wants to change something about their life. For instance, mine would be easier without the constant feeling of being watched. Not to mention the paranoia which accompanies that feeling. Though, it seemed unlikely a killer would wear red.
One of these is the current opener--as of today anyway. *speaks in deep, yet passive voice* All paragraphs subject to change. Actual wording may vary where applicable.
Anybody kept the basics of their original opening? Anyone counted how many different ones they've had? (Those aren't my only versions, just my strongest contenders, and there have been many variables on those paragraphs, even.)
Comments
My pick of your paragraphs would actually a combination of #1 & #3. I like the concept of the third one, but the parents vanishing is a great hook that needs to be introduced early. My two cents.
I like #3 the best!
3 is the keeper here, this time - or for now. But, the vanishing parents hook comes in a one-liner about 4 paragraphs later - it's just laid out in a much different way.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles with my opening. So hard.
Jemi - I hear ya. I rewrote my entire ending as soon as I finished the first go-round. And I kept very little of the original.
Shelley - As far as direction, this is the 3rd rewrite. But, I've changed each of those rewrites a bunch, without changing the context.
Karen - Thank you for the nice comment :) I agree, it is odd they way we connect. I really had no idea how this all worked. I'm enjoying it.
FWIW, I was with Anne, exactly, on the 2nd - it's okay, but meh.
Writing is rewriting, as they say. True that.
My beginnings rarely give me trouble, and I usually feel good about my endings. It's the plot line snags through the middle that I tend to rewrite a million times.
Thanks for sharing...great post, my friend.
Peace out,
L
Susan - I love your opener - the 2nd bit you posted today was very strong!
Mary - I get the change of scenery thing. Many a time I had to stop and write a scene for a later book while doing my current one. Just needed to see something new.
"The best writing is rewriting."
And, another famous version, "Good writing is essentially rewriting."
~ Roald Dahl
Pretty much every famous author ever has a version of it. 'Cause, yeah, it's all true 'n stuff.
Word.
Love,
Lola
This is the life of a writer.
I vote on #3!