tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1029827633604595044.post8645019637800958183..comments2023-06-29T03:31:29.221-07:00Comments on A Room with a View: May 12Nancy J. Parrahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10107417252662717576noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1029827633604595044.post-81027810867107719602009-05-12T17:47:00.000-07:002009-05-12T17:47:00.000-07:00The problem is sometimes what an author thinks is ...The problem is sometimes what an author thinks is a hook turns out to be blah to a reader.<br /><br />Morgan Mandel<br />http://morganmandel.blogspot.comMorgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1029827633604595044.post-8672223861001372922009-05-12T08:37:00.000-07:002009-05-12T08:37:00.000-07:00Ray Bradbury once told me that, far as novels were...Ray Bradbury once told me that, far as novels were concerned, it was usually a good idea to toss out your first chapter because things usually start getting much more interesting with the second chapter.<br /><br />So, he said, write the first chapter the way you want, get it out of your system, then gallop into the next, more exciting chapter and trash the first. He believed that the reader should first "meet you" when you are really up and cooking, not merely getting started.<br /><br />He also mentioned some simple advice that most of today's mainstream bestsellers could use, "Always start each story as close to the ending as possible."<br /><br />I can't say that I always attempt this, but it is always in my mind and I do think he knows what he's talking about. He is, after all, Ray Bradbury.Martin Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08178236776724050838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1029827633604595044.post-11510206181317941892009-05-12T08:30:00.000-07:002009-05-12T08:30:00.000-07:00That's funny, because when I start writing a book,...That's funny, because when I start writing a book, I don't begin at the very, very beginning, and often where I start becomes the beginning!<br />Guess that is the best advice - don't worry about how to begin, just jump right in!<br /><br />L. Diane Wolfe<br />www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com<br />www.spunkonastick.net <br />www.thecircleoffriends.netL. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.com