tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post9081562335663691317..comments2024-03-15T09:26:02.796-05:00Comments on PROJECT MAYHEM: Make Your First Page Mind Blowing—Please! by Hilary WagnerProject Mayhemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342399869089664noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-21383610161299210022015-01-09T00:29:07.811-06:002015-01-09T00:29:07.811-06:00EDIT: The hardest part about the writing process f...EDIT: The hardest part about the writing process for me (outside the "query letter" phase) is getting the beginning to intrigue but not confuse. <br /><br />My forthcoming debut "Gabriel" went through this trauma, TWICE! <br />Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-34650762446621215542015-01-09T00:27:17.907-06:002015-01-09T00:27:17.907-06:00While all the above is true and valid, I just want...While all the above is true and valid, I just want to remind us all to be kind to ourselves in the beginning, and sometimes the best thing we can do is pleasing ourselves first, and by this I mean since writers are readers with preferences just like any lay reader we LONG to have, sometimes what's enough for us isn't for readers who aren't us, and one scene in my forthcoming novel is in that place right now, it's how I wanted it, but my editor wanted more pathos in that scene and I'm struggling to get it there. <br /><br />This is not a "First page" but it's HARD nevertheless...<br /><br />Trust me, I'm just like lots of writers who OBSESS over their work, and while many fear getting the ending wrong <b>(and hey, no one wants their ending to suck when they manage to get readers hooked, after all!)</b>, I'm more terrified of not getting the beginning right more than any bad review I could ever get for ANY book I'll ever publish!<br /><br />The hardest part about the writing process for me <b>(outside the "query letter" phase)</b> is not My forthcoming debut "<a href="http://www.gabrielandrum.com" rel="nofollow">Gabriel</a>" went through this trauma, TWICE! <br /><br />First, I started too late, than too early, and that was on top having to write 5 different versions of this book before it-<br /><br />A. Started in the right place.<br /><br />And B. Didn't bore/confuse people! <b>(FYI Bonus tip: "Confused" and "Intrigued" are not the same. LOL)</b>Taurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-75555818433517933652015-01-07T13:15:30.429-06:002015-01-07T13:15:30.429-06:00Quiet, loud, action, introspection. None of it mat...Quiet, loud, action, introspection. None of it matters as long as it's unique. Love it!Matthew MacNishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03264738483763244969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-2637707459973759432015-01-06T17:51:35.366-06:002015-01-06T17:51:35.366-06:00You're such a showoff, Michael! ;)You're such a showoff, Michael! ;) Hilary Wagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18199287020561210673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-84041608210045730652015-01-06T17:02:54.167-06:002015-01-06T17:02:54.167-06:00Great post, and great comments. I love reading Dia...Great post, and great comments. I love reading Dianne's critiques of the brave souls who volunteer on her blog. She is honest and insightful.<br /><br />(One of these days I'm going to write an opening with explosions or maniacal fighting ninjas--or maybe even exploding maniacal fighting ninjas--just for the sheer heck of it.)Michael G-Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947421844294471304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-48167416604885004812015-01-06T12:59:02.224-06:002015-01-06T12:59:02.224-06:00The first page is always important, but never more...The first page is always important, but never more important than when querying. I think most casual and devoted readers are willing to give more time to a book than an agent with thousands of queries each year. Kell Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18089691866850131698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-28908806097069387032015-01-06T12:29:43.540-06:002015-01-06T12:29:43.540-06:00Dianne, that is a super generous thing to do and s...Dianne, that is a super generous thing to do and so vital as well. Any more light you want to shed on the subject in future posts PLEASE DO! :) Hilary Wagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18199287020561210673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-55395716979820654962015-01-06T12:27:45.029-06:002015-01-06T12:27:45.029-06:00Right? They are in a perpetual bad mood! Get them ...Right? They are in a perpetual bad mood! Get them out of it, Jenn! :)Hilary Wagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18199287020561210673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-81718782192654661312015-01-06T09:19:18.863-06:002015-01-06T09:19:18.863-06:00Excellent post, Hilary! This is why I offer first ...Excellent post, Hilary! This is why I offer first page critiques on my blog every month -- trying to help other writers make that all-important First Impression!<br /><br />Any writer who is interested, please contact me!Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-23072663041426829652015-01-06T08:06:21.828-06:002015-01-06T08:06:21.828-06:00Food for thought. Loved the visual and word images...Food for thought. Loved the visual and word images. I'll keep that tired thirsty agent/editor in mind as I work on that first page. Scribbles From Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01035720671975725049noreply@blogger.com