Comments on: The Doctor is in the House–Novel Diagnostics

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:19:00 +0000

All your blogs have been great so far but this one only succeded in confusing me. Not allowed to use a prologue, or an action sequence, or introspective thought so what do you do??? I’m now uber lost and without the beginning nobodys going to give a flying frogs butt about the character enough to read the story. Now I’m really going to have to get that book “hooked”

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:52:43 +0000

In reply to Chris Narbone. Truthfully, if you are a sci-fi writer, then I assume that is what you read (and if not, start today). Go back through the books that just grabbed you and didn't let go. Why? Use them as a template. Learn from them. That would be my best advice.

By: octoberdaniels

octoberdaniels — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:57:57 +0000

Thank you so much for your post! You have no idea how much it’s already opened my eyes to a few glaring problems with my story. I suspected my main character’s chapter one reverie was boresville, and now I know why I had a nagging feeling there was something wrong. Not to mention the first problem you mentioned–I was trying way too hard to be broad, metaphorical and artsy because this has been my first real foray into fiction.

I will definitely retweet the link!

By: Chris Narbone

Chris Narbone — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 13:01:41 +0000

In reply to Kristen Lamb. I'll check out those titles. My genre is science fiction. Any recommendations would be great. Thanks!

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 12:33:27 +0000

In reply to Chris Narbone.

Recently I read “The Hunger Games” and it had an excellent beginning. “The Green Mile” (Stephen King), “Sworn to Silence” (L. Castillo) “The Keepsake” (T. Gerritsen) are all great, too. If you let me know what genre you write, maybe I can give you some more specific suggestions. Thanks for the comment.

Kristen

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 12:29:48 +0000

In reply to itslisa. You are most welcome, and I think writers make it harder than it needs to be. If you are in the on-line class on Candy Havens's site this week (if not, sign up today) I am going to be teaching a method that is going to save you a TON of time. Most writers lose a lot of time on social media because their platform is constructed in such a way that it spreads them super thin. Thanks for the comment :D.

By: itslisa

itslisa — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 02:57:45 +0000

Funny timing — I’ve just been accused of pounding my chest a little too furiously over how difficult it is to squeeze social networking into my writing time. I’ll be ordering your book soon. Thank you.

By: Chris Narbone

Chris Narbone — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 02:10:42 +0000

Kristen,
I enjoyed this post. Next book I read I’ll definitely pay close attention to the beginning.

So do you have any favorite novel beginnings? Or what are some good examples of some well executed beginnings?

Thanks,
Chris

By: Terrell Mims

Terrell Mims — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 23:18:37 +0000

Many times I judge a book by the first paragraph. If that doesn’t hook me, then I usually put it down. A great example is The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. The opening paragraph is so good and in your face that you can’t help but continuing.

I hope more new authors take the time to read the opening pages of bestsellers to see why they are bestsellers.

By: Vivi

Vivi — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:12:33 +0000

I completely loved this blog post. It’s soooo helpful 🙂
thanks for this insightful info. ^_^