| 10 Jan 2010 |  Cheyenne Summer Williams |  Loading...Hi, there! Thanks for the comment!  st yet...probably when I get the hang of this web I’m not sure when I’ll be putting my work up jusite a little more, and when I’m not so busy lol Nice to meet you  Chris King replies: "Sounds good, Cheyenne. Nice to meet you too." | |
| 13 Jan 2010 |  Janet Dylan | Loading... Suggestions much appreciated. Thanks! Chris King replies: "Sure thing, Janet." | |
| 15 Jan 2010 |  Ray Krisman | Loading... Hey, thanks for reading my story! Though I cannot tell you how GLAD I am you read that story instead of one of my others. I can’t update as of yet but most of my stories have either been updated/overhauled or are in the process of doing so, but the one you read is the one that’s taken the least editing. I laughed when I read your profile’s pet peeves - about the not-reciprocating-comments thing. That’s what I’m doing right now, haha. Well, lets open up your prologue and see what you have in store for me... Chris King replies: "Hi Ray, thanks for visiting my page. If there are any other stories of yours that you’d recommend checking out next, just let me know.
Doh, I don’t mean to sound too militant about reciprocating comments, haha. I know people are busy and don’t always have the time to return feedback. " | |
| 16 Jan 2010 |  Meg Rachor | Loading... I am going to read your stuff! And boy, does Ray get around. Chris King replies: "Thanks for visiting my page, Meg." | |
| 16 Jan 2010 | Meg Rachor | Loading... I’m commenting on your stuff, but don’t return the favor. I’ll be embarrassed. Chris King replies: "I’m sure your stuff is good. I hope you don’t mind if I visit.  " | |
| 16 Jan 2010 | Meg Rachor | Loading... That wasn’t my intention at all. I was just looking for stuff to read | |
| 17 Jan 2010 | Ray Krisman | Loading... I have a question for you; why don’t you like openings that describe the environment? I rather love those types of entries - starting omnipresent and describing the area and then focusing down towards the characters. If it’s well written and creates a good image in the mind I think it’s a great way to start. Not that action and conflict is a bad way - that flog the quill website you linked somewhere shows excellently how to capture a reader. But in my opinion they’re about equal. Chris King replies: "Oh, I agree: when well done, I think environment descriptions in the beginning of a story can be very good. I’ve read a lot of excellent books that started in just that manner.
But I look at it this way:
If you are in a book store and are deciding what book to purchase by reading the first few lines from each one you pick up, which is more likely to capture your attention first?: 1) a paragraph with a distant POV that describes how a river lined with riparian villas winds through a lush, sun-dappled forest to empty into a misty, mountain lake with a sparkling waterfall, or 2) a paragraph that describes a character in a tense situation that raises questions the reader wants answers to? Maybe something like: "It was always just another day and another dead body - until it was someone you knew."
For me, the first paragraphs are about grabbing attention, introducing a character that readers can latch on to, and raising story questions that drive a reader forward in search of answers. I’m not saying that I do that very well in my writing, but it is something that I look for when purchasing a book. Book stores have thousands upon thousands of books competing for attention, so having a grabby intro might be one of the factors that tips the scales in a book’s favor.
But then again, like you said, environment descriptions are something that grabs you personally, so this isn’t an exact science. If you can hook a reader with some well-written prose about nature or settings, then that’s awesome. Check out this link sometime, it describes what literary agents hate (even agents don’t always agree, but it’s an interesting read): http://writersdigest.com/article/what-agents-hate/ " | |
| 18 Jan 2010 | Ray Krisman | Loading... That’s quite an interesting read... Coincidentally they just said they hate everything about how my newest story starts... Though in my story i like the personification of the sun and how the dawn starts, until it finds the one character staring out over the landscape... Btw, if a story started with "It was always just another day and another dead body - until it was someone you knew." I’d probably put the book down immediately because it sounds like a crappy detective/mystery novel. I hate detective stories. Seen Sherlock Holmes? HATE IT. (Enjoyed the action bits & the black magic bits, but that’s it) Chris King replies: "I wouldn’t read a story that began with that line either because I also don’t like detective/murder mysteries. But the point is that the line 1) grabs attention (for that genre), 2) raises story questions, 3) introduces an MC. All good things in my opinion.
If you like how you open the story, then stick with it. We’re only speaking in generalities anyway--an intro that is well-written and interesting can certainly take many forms. But because I’m always looking for tips to improve my writing, it doesn’t hurt to know what the professionals out there are looking for.
I haven’t had a chance to check out Sherlock Holmes yet. Maybe when it goes to DVD..." | |
| 4 Mar 2010 | Janet Dylan | Loading... I have a new story called "Life and Death" up if you’re interested. Chris King replies: "Hi Janet, I am a bit behind on my reading, but I’ll be sure to check out your new story soon." | |
| 4 Mar 2010 | Janet Dylan | Loading... You know, I usually just write whenever I get the itch and don’t really think about the first paragraph. Maybe I should, as your theories are interesting. | |
