tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post5526769947448363672..comments2023-05-30T04:55:18.889-05:00Comments on A Writer's Blog: First ChaptersScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-11882413796304989182010-10-12T07:42:52.841-05:002010-10-12T07:42:52.841-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-26572532039788754382010-10-12T07:42:51.066-05:002010-10-12T07:42:51.066-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-84199371022650846662010-10-12T07:42:35.910-05:002010-10-12T07:42:35.910-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-32849089749598790492010-10-12T07:42:25.245-05:002010-10-12T07:42:25.245-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-1788985884370553452010-10-12T07:42:20.874-05:002010-10-12T07:42:20.874-05:00Ariel – there are books that grab me in the first ...Ariel – there are books that grab me in the first chapter, and others that take a chapter or four before I’m hooked. The book about Salem is Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich. It was really neat reading the book and recognizing things. I really think that when using a real locale – Salem, New York, Nashville – that real newspapers, television stations, landmarks, etc. should be used. I don’t think there’s an issue with mentioning such things. Then again, I could be wrong. Ha. Thanks for stopping by and following my blog.<br /><br />Lydia – everything is subjective, and I think first chapters more so than anything. I really think you could pick up ten books, read the first chapter, and probably only found one that is a WOW chapter, and the rest so-so. I also think there is such a big drive for aspiring writers to over-achieve in the first chapter department that, well, it’s more daunting than encouraging. In the end, we can really only write the best first chapter we are capable of writing.<br /><br />Tess – I don’t think any of it matters because it is all subjective. If you write the best first chapter you’re capable of writing . . . then that’s enough. It has to be enough, or we are just hamsters on a wheel, running, running, running . . . and getting nowhere. I think what really struck me is reading the first chapters of a bunch of books, trying to pick out one to buy, and realizing that none of them were WOW chapters. In fact, the book I bought ended up having a very so-so chapter . . . but the premise of the book sold me. The first chapter did nothing for me. So, how did a book with a so-so chapter get past the query stage of an agent? Well, because of subjectivity. So, said agent – a very well known agent, btw – saw something, perhaps in the writing, perhaps in the query, and perhaps in the first chapter that spoke to her. Perhaps, to her, it was a WOW chapter, where to me it was a so-so chapter. I think we do a disservice to ourselves if we constantly change our first chapters to suit the very subjective opinion of . . . whoever. <br /><br />V.R. – I’m right there with you. I’ve pulled back from reading all these blogs with this great advice. It’s too much. My brain can’t absorb much more. In fact, the more I read of blogs, the more I realize that, while helpful, the blogs are detrimental (to a small extent) in that the information is often contradictory. In fact, a few agents have posted about having, unintentionally, scared aspiring writers with too many rules: do this, do that, don’t do this, don’t do that, pay attention . . . arrrrgghhh!! I think, as with anything, we have to use what we can use, and discard the rest. We also have to read, read, read. Go to a bookstore, pick out ten books published in 2010, read the first chapters, and set aside the books with the WOW chapters . . . in your opinion. Then, see which stack is bigger: the WOW stack or the so-so stack. I’m guessing the so-so stack.<br /><br />Also, the book I referenced above, didn’t have an action first chapter. Yeah, great idea, but it doesn’t work for every book in every situation. So, always remember and never forget . . . subjectivity!Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-12679046766295010432010-10-12T07:24:38.046-05:002010-10-12T07:24:38.046-05:00I agree! I am so weary of these broad generalizati...I agree! I am so weary of these broad generalizations and rules that are no more than current literary trends. I don't agree with Bransford. He is, without saying it outright, suggesting that every first chapter must be an action open. I don't believe it, and I don't want to read it. True, a first chapter shouldn't be all exposition or backstory, but I prefer character driven fiction. I WANT to know who the protagonist is. He gives The Hunger Games as an example, a book I enjoyed but felt would have been vastly improved with a little character development early on. As you say, it's all subjective.VR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-63659963106513921112010-10-11T17:51:44.749-05:002010-10-11T17:51:44.749-05:00I'm really struggling w/ the first chapter rig...I'm really struggling w/ the first chapter right now so I really get this. But, the thing is, I think it does matter. UNLESS the premise of the novel is so intriguing that it covers the sin of a so so first chapter.<br /><br />but then again, what do I know...Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-8074985675632837252010-10-11T17:01:56.424-05:002010-10-11T17:01:56.424-05:00I read that post too. Good thing I was planning on...I read that post too. Good thing I was planning on rewriting my first chapter anyway!<br />But I agree with you. In the end, it's so subjective, isn't it?Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-48470526144702966442010-10-11T16:38:40.196-05:002010-10-11T16:38:40.196-05:00I agree. Lately, I've been finding that I have...I agree. Lately, I've been finding that I have to get nearly fifty pages in to any new book before I either give up or it grabs me. I guess it is the books I am choosing. Although I will say - Hunger Games got me in the first chapter. I don't usually read YA - and this is the only recent book that grabbed me right away.<br /><br />New follower to you btw. I was looking for more "Writing journey" blogs and came across yours. I haven't explored the blog much yet - but I am curious about your WIP. Mine is about a real town - and yes I use real place names and real newspapers and real radio stations - no real people though. I am wondering if this is going to pose a probelm if I ever get it published. What was the book about Salem?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16104430835416581184noreply@blogger.com