Osiyo~
I think the initial "OMG" new is wearing off for the request finally-it's calmed down a bit anyway. Don't think it will ever wear off completely. :) So I opened the wip and scrolled down to where I left my h/h planning their first date. Fun scene, that one. I had left them two weeks ago, discussing the first time they met. A fairly awkward moment for Viv because, without my intentions, she seems to be a tad uncoordinated (clumsy). This makes her feel uncomfortable with Conner because he thinks its cute. So I sent a few paragraphs to my lovely Twinkies to give me direction. Should I continue into chapter four with their blushing conversation a little more-which left chapter three with a wonderful hook- or should I begin the new chapter with her preparing for their first date?
This is very important. You see, this is a critical point in every writer's journey. Knowing where to end off, no matter how much you like the current scene, and when to let it go and get on to the next fun scene, the next great hook. I was torn so I asked the gals what they thought. It was unanimous- "shoot right to date night". So, that's what I will do. As always, I saved the previous start (just in case) and will set these two up for fun and heart ache!
Now that the shakes have left, I can finally focus on getting this story written. But I will keep you all posted on the progress here, since I can't seem to get a word meter to work on my blog yet. Which is a really nice and non-intimidating way to keep track of how much you write (as long as you keep it updated).
I'd love to know how you know when you have a great hook and it's time to move on in a story, or when to take it just a little bit farther with a scene. Share your thoughts here.
Dodadagohvi~
11 comments:
Good mornin' Calisa!
I enjoyed your post:) I think the way you went about establishing your scene was good. I am absolutely no help with this technically, because for me, it's instinct.
I see the scene in my mind, and it unfolds to a certain point and I stop. It's always hanging, so I guess that makes it a good hook:) Then I do what you did, I take the ending and the opening to my critters and raise an eyebrow. So far it's worked for me:)
All the best as you move forward with your fantastic news! Haul A** gal! (A little Texas slang there;)
Hugs,
Loretta Wheeler
Lol Thanks Lo! And I completely get Tex-slang, being an Okie! I usually don't have questions about hooks, but since Eliza I look at each scene a little more critically.
Thanks for stopping by!
Hey Calisa, congrats on the request! Not sure exactly how I know when to stop a scene except that I plot the whole book before hand and each chapter and scene is thought out ... doing it this way I can "see" the whole story line and make sure I have included all the info. I need to: writing suspense any other way boggles my mind since dropping clues for the mystery already confuses me. I can't imagine "pantsing" a suspense.
Hooks just seem to find me. When I'm writing a scene I kind of know when I'm getting to the end and a snappy one liner or internal thought that leaves a question just seems to pop into my mind.
With scenes I think less is more and I always plot them like snippets of a movie. An action sequence then a response to the action that just took place, ya know? I like to use scene changes to move the story forward not just in action but in calendar time: no one wants to read about every hour of every day, right? So, like with Ring of Lies' love scene and subsequent meltdown between the hero and heroine, my next chapter took place about three days later and showed her stewing over all the crap she'd been through :)
Hope that helps, lol!
That's a good way to look at it Rachel. If I could just get out of pantsing! I usually just hit on it too, but with this one scene it was sort of its own hook so I wasn't sure where to cut it off. I tend to skip hours, days at a time, so going a few hours at a time helps me tighten the book and raise the tension to keep it motating forward. I don't go hour-by-hour, but I'm trying to fill more into one day at least. Thanks for your comment!
Great hooks are what we all strive for, but they also seem to be rare.
I go back and forth sometime b/c I want all my opening lines whether it be in a poem, short story or a paragraph in my novel to be great.
Get to the action, girl, as you said between fun and heartache!
Heheh Thanks Word Actress! It is really unanimous! But you're right, a great hook is rare and when you find it, hang on tight. By that I mean don't keep writing in the search for better, you've already got best- move on. Which is what I'll be doing once house work is finished. ;)
Thanks for dropping in.
I just wanted to say one more time how proud I am of you and how excited I am for you! Our little group is really something. Love y'all!!!
I'm with Christine - so proud and excited!!!
The ending of a chapter is something I have to work on, for me it gets to be word count and that's not good!
Aw! thanks Chris and Mel. We are pretty great, aren't we? I'm so proud of us all for coming such a long way in such a very short time!
Me too Mel. Finding the right hook without going on eternally or not long enough trips me up a lot.
Hi Calisa!
Congrats on your request for a full. You're on your way!
Thank you Wendy. Congrats on your first sale!!! News like that is what keeps me going. :)
Post a Comment