tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post418959050667048940..comments2024-01-01T18:42:01.363-08:00Comments on International Christian Fiction Writers: In Pursuit of ActionLisa Harrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11358581487206184033noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-70166438942976252752012-02-16T13:43:35.943-08:002012-02-16T13:43:35.943-08:00Start in the middle of a car chase seems to be the...Start in the middle of a car chase seems to be the popular norm, but I've read a few contest entries that did that and left me more irritated than enlightened. Even in a car chase I need to know where it's happening, who's the good guy and why are they speeding? Action is good, but it needs to be grounded in characterAlice Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00218095053108888830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-57766781448332419952012-02-16T00:05:22.631-08:002012-02-16T00:05:22.631-08:00Thanks for your thoughts :)
I agree - it takes a ...Thanks for your thoughts :)<br /><br />I agree - it takes a masterful writer to be able to both make us care about a character and thrust them into the middle of the action within a few pages. I have to admit that I'm pretty sure I'm not that writer yet!<br /><br />In my current ms we hit the action around page 4 but I've been told I should cut the first two pages and dive straight into it. While it works too, I have to admit my personal preference is to know a little more about the main character first so I'm a bit torn about which way I go for this contest entry.Kara Isaachttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00482245933455012714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-7184015024159221122012-02-15T13:56:34.395-08:002012-02-15T13:56:34.395-08:00If it's an author I haven't read before, I...If it's an author I haven't read before, I will often read the first couple of pages to see if they interest me. If they don't, it's back on the shelf and on to the next book.<br /><br />If it's a book by an author I've read before, I don't mind so much, because I know that (hopefully) by the end of the book I will be happy.<br /><br />So... as a new author, you have to hook the reader early on, because they don't know you or your writing, and don't have that level of trust that allows them to move past the early descriptive passages into the main story.<br /><br />But... even as an established author, you will want to be attracting new readers, who could be picking up any one of your books off the shelf. So even if you have 10, 50, 100 novels in print, each one needs to be able to entice the first-time reader. And that is probably best done through a good hook in the first couple of pages.<br /><br />IMO. <br /><br />And these comments mostly apply to fiction - I think there is more leeway in non-fiction, depending on the kind of book (e.g. a commentary on the book of 1 Corinthians is going to have to start out with the 'from Paul' bit, no matter how much they might want to start with the exciting stuff).Iolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-23116315179820803722012-02-15T12:39:37.780-08:002012-02-15T12:39:37.780-08:00I think a lot depends on the type of novel it is a...I think a lot depends on the type of novel it is and the character involved as to how it opens. I admit like Jenn I'd put a book aside if it was still describing after two pages.There needs to be a hook to keep me reading and wanting to know more.Dale Harcombehttp://www.daleharcombe.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-6906776341959848742012-02-15T08:49:41.786-08:002012-02-15T08:49:41.786-08:00It takes a great writer to jump into the action wh...It takes a great writer to jump into the action while describing the characters as the plot thickens. I prefer a little behind the scenes before I'm plunged in. But again, some authors can pull it off as the action starts.Lindahttp://www.onedesertrose.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-40878825313094112822012-02-15T06:02:00.552-08:002012-02-15T06:02:00.552-08:00It is a good question. I've been told the new ...It is a good question. I've been told the new 'thing' is to push more action instead of description. And yet when I ask someone to read my manuscript, I get 'well, it just jumps right in, doesn't it?' I guess it all depends on the audience. Although when I'm reading, if after two pages the author is still describing? I'll put it down.DJ.J. Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02867002260540109132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4620199782689299940.post-12173275621044915262012-02-15T02:04:57.018-08:002012-02-15T02:04:57.018-08:00That's a great question!
As a reader, it'...That's a great question!<br /><br />As a reader, it's difficult for me to care about what's happening to a character if I don't have the faintest idea of what they look like or know anything about their personality. How do you envision the action with a mystery character?<br /><br />As a writer, I tried to balance the two. In the first few pages, I dropped in a few hints about the character...as her life turned upside down. It's my very first book, so we'll see if it works.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375761847951899648noreply@blogger.com