tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post1782501576696752747..comments2023-06-14T05:28:19.018-06:00Comments on ~ Sisters of the Quill ~: AN EFFORTLESS READSisters of the Quillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07067700948949637412noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-79562250210079602962011-09-20T10:09:39.021-06:002011-09-20T10:09:39.021-06:00Karen, thanks for posting this, and even more for ...Karen, thanks for posting this, and even more for posting it to the PPW list. I recently taught a 3-hour seminar entitled "Writing Great Beginnings." This is an excellent addendum to that seminar, so I immediately sent an email to my Writing the World (WTW) list (about 200 folks) to recommend this post and the Sisters of the Quill blog. I've also added it to my Blogroll, a position populated by very few. Thanks again.Harvey Stanbroughhttp://harveystanbrough.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-86262759761180517042011-09-19T19:17:19.870-06:002011-09-19T19:17:19.870-06:00Ironically, Sara Megibow's workshop made me se...Ironically, Sara Megibow's workshop made me see that the first draft of my novel's Chapter One (written in omniscient POV) was much more consistent with what major publishing houses want from a first chapter than my newer "first person" version.<br /><br />The reason why: My first draft was an "action" scene directly showing the inciting incident happening to the protagonist. My later version started with the antagonist's POV "reaction" to the incident. The key here is that action is preferred to reaction, even if the reaction is immediate. A relatively easy fix here is to rewrite the original Ch. One in first person, then move the antagonist's POV reaction to Ch. Two.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-11940883655649422592011-09-18T20:12:35.062-06:002011-09-18T20:12:35.062-06:00Great to hear about these wonderful tips...and how...Great to hear about these wonderful tips...and how even pros like you have to rewrite, reexamine, revise.Laurel Kallenbachhttp://www.laurelkallenbach.com/lkblognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-4598636246384343772011-09-18T19:12:54.662-06:002011-09-18T19:12:54.662-06:00Oh, yes, i attended this one and it was awesome. I...Oh, yes, i attended this one and it was awesome. I got a lot out of it and will be going over & revising the beginning pages of MYSTIC TAXI to make sure i hit all key points. Thanks, Karen, for sharing how this great workshop worked for you.Karen Duvallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01839711547501582977noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-58239621177254355582011-09-17T17:13:33.810-06:002011-09-17T17:13:33.810-06:00Inkpot, this was very helpful--thank you! Now work...Inkpot, this was very helpful--thank you! Now working on effortlessness...<br /><br />Storm PetrelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-54397016916044140612011-09-17T14:09:13.269-06:002011-09-17T14:09:13.269-06:00Sara's spiel was definitely enlightening. Betw...Sara's spiel was definitely enlightening. Between her and Margie Lawson I've spent the last 4 days revising and reworking my opening pages as well. (I'll be moving on to the rest of the book soon!)<br /><br />Glad you go your ah-ha! Those rare flashes are what bring me back to the page when I'm discouraged or doubting!<br /><br />Can't wait to see Mu-Shu Mac-N-Cheese on the shelves soon!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-84903533749942766422011-09-16T10:54:09.366-06:002011-09-16T10:54:09.366-06:00Such common sense, so hard to execute. Thanks for...Such common sense, so hard to execute. Thanks for sharing your challenges with us and the invaluable advice from the conference presenter. Back to the first 30 pages.Marian Thierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11537369733401074560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-16719520822428445522011-09-16T10:46:45.317-06:002011-09-16T10:46:45.317-06:00I wanted to attend this workshop but couldn't ...I wanted to attend this workshop but couldn't work it into my schedule. Thanks for this great summary. I may have to make one more pass at that first 30 pages before I send it off. :)Patricia Stolteyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17192369425956406122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-80667849128141769162011-09-16T10:46:19.693-06:002011-09-16T10:46:19.693-06:00Fascinating to read your fresh take on first pages...Fascinating to read your fresh take on first pages and the pitfalls for seasoned writers. Thanks, Karen, and your blog posts are so lively and well written that I'm eager to read your books!Gail Storeyhttp://gailstorey.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-122522612570518992011-09-16T10:17:26.367-06:002011-09-16T10:17:26.367-06:00Thanks for that recap Karen. It's hard to see ...Thanks for that recap Karen. It's hard to see problems in your own work. Glad to hear you found the fix. And thanks again for the mention of my pitching workshop in your pitching workshop. You're a generous woman. Sure appreciate that about you.Linda Rohrboughhttp://www.lindarohrbough.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-73546978889825493802011-09-16T06:43:13.280-06:002011-09-16T06:43:13.280-06:00Those dratted first chapters! Like the perfect din...Those dratted first chapters! Like the perfect dinner party, so many elements need to come together--the food, the atmosphere, the party guests--and it all has to appear effortless! You throw wonderful parties so I've no doubt you can write the perfectly balanced first chapter.Shannon Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10540336783142324746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-26365130323539911682011-09-16T05:36:49.599-06:002011-09-16T05:36:49.599-06:00You can do it, Inky! We have faith in ya! Wishing...You can do it, Inky! We have faith in ya! Wishing you the best in your rework!<br /><br />Mmmmm...mac n cheese...hungry again....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-41806149574785345922011-09-15T21:51:31.233-06:002011-09-15T21:51:31.233-06:00Thank you Julie. I have to get past my fear of no...Thank you Julie. I have to get past my fear of not doing it justice. I need to just fix it and worry over it later.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2337494610769031999.post-72572883689539213912011-09-15T21:43:55.919-06:002011-09-15T21:43:55.919-06:00I was so sorry to miss that one, but your wrap up ...I was so sorry to miss that one, but your wrap up helps alot. Thanks Karen. I have no doubt that Mu Shu Mac-N-Cheese will be picked up very soon.j.a. kazimerhttp://www.jakazimer.comnoreply@blogger.com