tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post6783318425652454559..comments2024-02-22T05:37:41.257-05:00Comments on Christine Rains - Writer: Wicked Wednesday - writing that first paragraphChristine Rainshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-59613078867114566082012-03-04T16:25:10.190-05:002012-03-04T16:25:10.190-05:00The first paragraph of The Hitchhiker's Guide ...The first paragraph of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy would be one favorite. The beginning of Toni Morrison's Beloved, another.Aging Opheliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14360783709169946256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-59837597203509909532012-03-01T13:46:13.261-05:002012-03-01T13:46:13.261-05:00I'm always tweaking my first paragraphs. For m...I'm always tweaking my first paragraphs. For my current WIP, I'm about to go rewrite the whole thing again!Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-39556495579093577372012-03-01T13:45:04.097-05:002012-03-01T13:45:04.097-05:00A good first line can immediately pull me in, for ...A good first line can immediately pull me in, for sure!Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-19996414060061130912012-03-01T13:44:44.418-05:002012-03-01T13:44:44.418-05:00Thank you! I'm excited about the Challenge. :)...Thank you! I'm excited about the Challenge. :)Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-25942935820899852092012-03-01T08:30:49.168-05:002012-03-01T08:30:49.168-05:00I can't remember how many times I've re-wr...I can't remember how many times I've re-written my first paragraph, and I've no doubt I will still do it a few more times before I'm through. I've read Dead Until Dark but not your other two suggestions, I have to check those out. Great post! :)Julie Flandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003737491313673214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-50966182738911292262012-03-01T00:50:35.671-05:002012-03-01T00:50:35.671-05:00First lines are so hard to get perfect... but once...First lines are so hard to get perfect... but once you do, they just rock:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-8341936454183533272012-02-29T21:05:28.500-05:002012-02-29T21:05:28.500-05:00I love your writing...and happy to have you on boa...I love your writing...and happy to have you on board the <a href="http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/2012-to-z-challenge-sign-up-list.html" rel="nofollow">A to Z Challenge April 2012!</a><br /><br />Twitter: @AprilA2Z<br /> #atozchallengeAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04283371140346602856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-38432108079324614692012-02-29T20:07:52.070-05:002012-02-29T20:07:52.070-05:00I love that description! That's definitely fai...I love that description! That's definitely fair warning. :)Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-34224665547874046452012-02-29T20:07:10.487-05:002012-02-29T20:07:10.487-05:00That sounds about right. I'm bored after a min...That sounds about right. I'm bored after a minute if it doesn't grab me right away. Even if the blurb intrigued me, an annoying or weak voice can turn me off.Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-78092243001052157672012-02-29T18:00:02.264-05:002012-02-29T18:00:02.264-05:00I'm mostly interested in establishing tone. I ...I'm mostly interested in establishing tone. I want to say to the reader that this novel is whimsical, and odd, and more English than twenty days of constant drizzle. It is, I believe, known as giving people fair warning.stuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16388674850920848503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-43072433879010997002012-02-29T16:34:14.368-05:002012-02-29T16:34:14.368-05:00I think a reader gives a book about a minute befor...I think a reader gives a book about a minute before setting it down, so those opening lines had better be grabbers. And you're right. That voice is super important right from the start.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-41777331955162718202012-02-29T15:24:18.687-05:002012-02-29T15:24:18.687-05:00Thank you!Thank you!Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-82921567515670761612012-02-29T15:24:08.579-05:002012-02-29T15:24:08.579-05:00The first page can turn me off a book too. I usual...The first page can turn me off a book too. I usually try to give it another chance, but the first page is very telling.Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-25163561655723213862012-02-29T15:13:43.722-05:002012-02-29T15:13:43.722-05:00These are some great suggestions!These are some great suggestions!Author Joshua Hoythttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01256754228034053632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-40221310657727984512012-02-29T14:44:59.135-05:002012-02-29T14:44:59.135-05:00I don't have one to share with you (there are ...I don't have one to share with you (there are so many!) but it is true: if I don't like a book's first page, I set it back down. I try to remember that when I write my own first page. When I start drafting, I already know that the first line's probably going to change.Laura Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04237841462234396752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-56215132269315684632012-02-29T14:23:46.962-05:002012-02-29T14:23:46.962-05:00That is clever. Good luck with the rest of the man...That is clever. Good luck with the rest of the manuscript. I know the feeling!Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-23579683569086371112012-02-29T14:23:17.652-05:002012-02-29T14:23:17.652-05:00Oh, you're tricky trying to do that your reade...Oh, you're tricky trying to do that your reader! I do like it when an author can manage to do it to me, though. Good luck!Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-79658058564958110632012-02-29T14:22:30.194-05:002012-02-29T14:22:30.194-05:00I have that on my TBR list. Drat! I just checked w...I have that on my TBR list. Drat! I just checked with my library and they don't have it. Now it's added to my birthday wish list. *LOL*Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-2786579804475134652012-02-29T14:20:37.044-05:002012-02-29T14:20:37.044-05:00I'm always going back changing and tweaking th...I'm always going back changing and tweaking things too.Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-62481696422417210692012-02-29T14:20:07.678-05:002012-02-29T14:20:07.678-05:00Woo-hoo! The series is fantastic. Barrons is my fa...Woo-hoo! The series is fantastic. Barrons is my favorite paranormal hero.Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-59010065860192132792012-02-29T14:19:27.969-05:002012-02-29T14:19:27.969-05:00I know how time is precious, but the Fever series ...I know how time is precious, but the Fever series is one you won't regret. Just for Barrons alone!Christine Rainshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08263694662585963900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-85326376475435488932012-02-29T10:10:02.990-05:002012-02-29T10:10:02.990-05:00Ah,the first line. I actually have a great one in ...Ah,the first line. I actually have a great one in my WIP. I also managed to use it as the last line. Clever me, right? Now, if I can just get the other 84,975 words to cooperate.farawayeyeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17578277501054242356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-10811507577579167052012-02-29T09:19:07.163-05:002012-02-29T09:19:07.163-05:00I agree first paragraphs need to set the tone, and...I agree first paragraphs need to set the tone, and hook us in.<br /><br />This technique is always used in the movies. After 2 minutes you should be able to tell what genre the movie is...<br /><br />I'm struggling to write a good first paragraph in my latest WIP, I'm trying to wrong foot the reader...and its proving tricky. I feel as if I've got to do it though...<br /><br />Happy WednesdayMariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05322234219197041788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-65074487263289008282012-02-29T09:11:31.969-05:002012-02-29T09:11:31.969-05:00That first line and first paragraph are probably t...That first line and first paragraph are probably the most important in a novel. I've been reading Les Edgerton's HOOKED, and it has some great advice about that first chapter. :)Cherie Reichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663147386014122939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7568117157220074400.post-80460870785478282562012-02-29T08:46:40.801-05:002012-02-29T08:46:40.801-05:00I re-wrote my first paragraph and line so many tim...I re-wrote my first paragraph and line so many times!Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.com