tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post7819819578220408164..comments2023-06-10T22:42:19.087+10:00Comments on Australasian Christian Writers: First Chapter BluesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-63972181503356110012014-07-08T15:10:33.231+10:002014-07-08T15:10:33.231+10:00Annie, I've just read screenwriter Michael Arn...Annie, I've just read screenwriter Michael Arndt's piece about setting a story in motion. He simplifies it much as you do. I am doing that first page/chapter work on most of my novels now. Rita Galiehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586506137798711397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-59054205088729428662014-07-08T08:54:28.827+10:002014-07-08T08:54:28.827+10:00Thanks, Paula. Lisa's book is very interesting...Thanks, Paula. Lisa's book is very interesting and offers some unexpected insights into the nature of conflict.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264631051671432037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-2608303588242012542014-07-08T08:53:12.799+10:002014-07-08T08:53:12.799+10:00Hi Iola
I wouldn't expect it to weed out all. ...Hi Iola<br />I wouldn't expect it to weed out all. In fact, I've realised some people have had substantial help from an editor to get the first couple of chapters right but let it go after that.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264631051671432037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-58463007370683253032014-07-08T08:21:59.312+10:002014-07-08T08:21:59.312+10:00I learned the hard way to always read the Kindle s...I learned the hard way to always read the Kindle sample before agreeing to review. That's not to say I enjoy every book I agree to review, but it at least weeds out some of them.Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-67972629439949529772014-07-07T19:31:22.891+10:002014-07-07T19:31:22.891+10:00Hi Annie,
Thanks for this article. I was reading a...Hi Annie,<br />Thanks for this article. I was reading a new novel which didn't grip me after a chapter or two, and going through your list above, I can see reasons why. What Lisa Cron says about the brain being wired for story in interesting too.Paula Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079952414990463270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-65236776346473319532014-07-07T18:00:03.515+10:002014-07-07T18:00:03.515+10:00Too true. I didn't realise you could get a Kin...Too true. I didn't realise you could get a Kindle sample before deciding to review! Wow, that must weed out a few.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264631051671432037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-14102843163623992102014-07-07T17:58:38.155+10:002014-07-07T17:58:38.155+10:00Hi Jenny - I think the trick is to write the entir...Hi Jenny - I think the trick is to write the entire novel and then immediately go back to the first chapter as if it's the one after the end. If you're in the right zone with the end, you'll keep that sense flowing. I usually find authors don't settle into their voice until the fourth chapter, so this is one way of getting it right.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264631051671432037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-39216131814491746342014-07-07T17:56:31.823+10:002014-07-07T17:56:31.823+10:00Thanks, Rhonda!Thanks, Rhonda!Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264631051671432037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-58144305008037180692014-07-07T17:56:02.165+10:002014-07-07T17:56:02.165+10:00Hi Dotti - the rules are great until they become s...Hi Dotti - the rules are great until they become second nature. That's when you can afford to start breaking them. You know how and when to do so, so that it works.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264631051671432037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-56966124161473432382014-07-07T17:54:46.886+10:002014-07-07T17:54:46.886+10:00Hi Narelle - I agree absolutely, though I've s...Hi Narelle - I agree absolutely, though I've seen RUE taken to extremes too. Where the author has been so vague that it's annoying. Instead of mystery, it's confusion. So there's a fine balance to be maintained.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264631051671432037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-18309753138409446252014-07-07T16:06:46.993+10:002014-07-07T16:06:46.993+10:00*whispers*
It's also important for authors ap...*whispers*<br /><br />It's also important for authors approaching people to review their books. If I'm asleep after the third page of the Kindle sample, I'm going to politely turn you down, no matter how enticing the book description was. Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-56032504003129448812014-07-07T14:08:19.270+10:002014-07-07T14:08:19.270+10:00I find that first chapter tricky to write even kno...I find that first chapter tricky to write even knowing the 'rules'. So much is loaded on those first few words. Thanks for your insights Annie.Jeanette O'Haganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-3738693888463527142014-07-07T12:50:37.523+10:002014-07-07T12:50:37.523+10:00Pure gold, Annie!Pure gold, Annie!Rhonda Pooley - Writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267933289137123263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-72587306039942316932014-07-07T11:05:10.434+10:002014-07-07T11:05:10.434+10:00Hi Annie, I'm a big fan of following the rules...Hi Annie, I'm a big fan of following the rules. I would have missed out on a vital education in story craft, if I hadn't studied 'first chapter' tips and tricks. <br />Thanks for the encouragement to deliver our best to our readers. Dorothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13622521834128746217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-26032012295748390492014-07-07T10:39:03.729+10:002014-07-07T10:39:03.729+10:00Annie, excellent post! RUE (resisting the urge to ...Annie, excellent post! RUE (resisting the urge to explain) is an essential ingredient in an opening chapter because it helps to create story questions in a reader's mind. The psychology behind why we identify with certain story structures is fascinating.Narellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665380446283721576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-13505650396037862812014-07-07T10:23:26.976+10:002014-07-07T10:23:26.976+10:00Hi Dale
Yes I think the "iceberg treatment&qu...Hi Dale<br />Yes I think the "iceberg treatment" is the right approach when it comes to research information. Leave at least 90% of it out!Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264631051671432037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-8496786706817786352014-07-07T10:21:53.268+10:002014-07-07T10:21:53.268+10:00Hi Jo-Anne - I think this is particularly importan...Hi Jo-Anne - I think this is particularly important for aspiring authors who may find a commissioning editor only reads the first chapter, if that. Hence why it's so important to get it right.Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02264631051671432037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-1292279843915612232014-07-07T09:14:50.086+10:002014-07-07T09:14:50.086+10:00Thanks Annie. I thought the last one was particula...Thanks Annie. I thought the last one was particularly relevant. One I hate is information overload where an author has researched a subject and wants to tell in the first chapter or so all they learnt about that subject.Dalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14217918666756258037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-515660504291275491.post-72609381562282776352014-07-07T08:31:00.853+10:002014-07-07T08:31:00.853+10:00Thanks, Annie, for your clear and helpful explanat...Thanks, Annie, for your clear and helpful explanation of these first chapter pitfalls. While I own I have never been all that keen on sticking to a formula with my books, it makes sense to take such wisdom on board.Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.com