tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527808683903443599.post5865163347132160054..comments2023-06-15T06:42:21.754-07:00Comments on Too Cute to be Very Interesting: Let's Get InterestingPenelope Wrighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04791357824874684556noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527808683903443599.post-4694448097546697272009-11-13T17:32:47.570-08:002009-11-13T17:32:47.570-08:00*sing-song voice* Penny, you have award over on my...*sing-song voice* Penny, you have award over on my blog.Tina Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05914428134837892539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527808683903443599.post-14947448807071080872009-11-13T10:31:01.356-08:002009-11-13T10:31:01.356-08:00This is such a good post because it's easy to ...This is such a good post because it's easy to forget this simple rule as we construct a chapter and let our characters carry us away.<br /><br />Every chapter must have CONFLICT. Every scene must move the plot forward and tell us something about the character. If you can't identify the conflict in the chapter or the goal for the character, then you have to rewrite.<br /><br />Agree with Travener that starting with something amazing is good--but gratuitous drama has to tie into the story. Plane crashes are good but they must serve a purpose and the purpose can't be to be sensational.Sierra Godfreyhttp://sierragodfrey.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527808683903443599.post-8553053106165963442009-11-12T23:02:37.575-08:002009-11-12T23:02:37.575-08:00Travener: I really wish I could read your work. I ...Travener: I really wish I could read your work. I bet it's awesome. Your blogs certainly are, I always look forward to them. Plane crash: great. Plane crash caused by hundreds of escaped snakes: blockbuster material.<br /><br />Tina: totally! I'm still thinking about your chapter 1 comments and trying to figure out which sections of backstory I simply can't part with. It was so hard to ditch the first 2 chapters, that I feel like if I go back and save some of it, then I'm letting down the stuff that doesn't get saved. It's even harder, ya know? So tough...<br /><br />Melissa...I didn't know you had a blog either. Now I follow you too! Mwah ha ha ha haPenelope Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04791357824874684556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527808683903443599.post-81374995761496226682009-11-12T21:11:02.971-08:002009-11-12T21:11:02.971-08:00Penny,
I did not know that you had a blog! I saw...Penny, <br />I did not know that you had a blog! I saw your award at Tina Lynn's. Now I get to follow you. (insert evil laugh).<br /><br />MelissaMelissa Hursthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530652829980250261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527808683903443599.post-29017046318674395902009-11-12T19:53:08.258-08:002009-11-12T19:53:08.258-08:00Penny,
I learned this the hard way, too. I let a f...Penny,<br />I learned this the hard way, too. I let a friend read my first MS, and she kept saying this happens then this happens, but you never really move the plot forward in this chapter. That's the key. Every chapter need to move the plot forward somehow. It's a hard lesson to learn...and a bit painful, because restructuring the beginning sometimes screws other stuff up and pretty soon you're plugging holes and bailing water. Ugh.Tina Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05914428134837892539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2527808683903443599.post-46049307019651933602009-11-12T10:55:23.072-08:002009-11-12T10:55:23.072-08:00I think the first couple of chapters are tough. B...I think the first couple of chapters are tough. Because that's where you started the book, they are most resistant to change, when maybe they're most in need of change. I don't know that my first chapter is dull, but it's not rock-'em-sock'-em, either. But I don't know what to do with it, if anything. Though none of my beta readers ever complained about it, and one said reading it made her really want to read further. The one complaint I got about it was from an agent, who said it was "well-written and basically interesting but not singular." So in the sequel, assuming this prequel ever gets into print somehow, I'm determined to start with a plane crash EVEN THOUGH IT WILL HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REAL STORY!Travenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05160810997837674165noreply@blogger.com