tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post6493436874819808649..comments2023-09-16T05:02:59.946-07:00Comments on Heroines with Hearts: Opening Scene DissectionDebra St. Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-46966043993127334672012-02-20T17:44:55.710-08:002012-02-20T17:44:55.710-08:00I think many rules can be broken, but a list of ru...I think many rules can be broken, but a list of rules is a good thing.Ana Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12325215832587691886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-18280369813646516022012-02-20T09:28:46.773-08:002012-02-20T09:28:46.773-08:00Love the list of things to keep in mind. I love th...Love the list of things to keep in mind. I love the opening of my WIP, but may have to change it because I think it's a little heavy on setting. You definitely want to hook the reader (and editor!).Jennifer Wilckhttp://www.jenniferwilck.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-83497961343539529802012-02-20T07:26:27.816-08:002012-02-20T07:26:27.816-08:00Ana, this is a great list! I'm printing it out...Ana, this is a great list! I'm printing it out to put in the 'keep' file!<br /><br />Usually I tend to open right in the middle of the action. However, I just sent a mss off to my editor today that starts at a bit of a slower pace. I guess only time will tell if it's going to work ot not!Debra St. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07154130275058459169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-2920177800421953942012-02-20T01:46:46.489-08:002012-02-20T01:46:46.489-08:00Very good advice, Ana, thank you. I've just ha...Very good advice, Ana, thank you. I've just had a quick look at the first paragraph of my WIP and I think it fits with this okay!Rosemary Gemmellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311840205603508422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2999125118927001112.post-60820431245132983072012-02-19T16:23:00.557-08:002012-02-19T16:23:00.557-08:00Opening scene is vital - you have to hook your rea...Opening scene is vital - you have to hook your reader in the first couple of pages. <br />I don't think it's as complicated as Edgerton says, though. The main thing is to introduce one of the protagonists and get the reader asking questions.<br />In Fragrance of Violets, the words 'Jack Tremaybe's back' (from a secondary character) causes the heroine Abbey to drop something in shock. Immediately the reader must wonder 'Who's Jack Tremayne? Back where and from what? Why is Abbey so shocked? Something must have happened between them - what?" That was the response I got from most commenters when I posted the first six sentences on Six Sentence Sunday a few weeks ago.<br />For me, the opening has to make the readers ask questions, and then they'll want read on! It's as simple as that! <br />(And, having said all that, I've known for a while that I need to change the start of my WIP's first chapter!)Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.com