tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post3718334417718359495..comments2023-03-30T08:51:55.643-04:00Comments on On Romance Writing: More on How to Hook the Reader from the StartAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-73606522007569878182012-07-15T07:55:01.405-04:002012-07-15T07:55:01.405-04:00Debra and Mary, thanks for the kind words. I'l...Debra and Mary, thanks for the kind words. I'll do the next post when I get home from Thrillerfest. Being at a conference made me realize I should have some cards printed with the name of this blog. <br />RebeccaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-29886765610736627012012-07-15T01:31:14.669-04:002012-07-15T01:31:14.669-04:00Ruth, you never disappoint me.Ruth, you never disappoint me.Mary Marvellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12015719890476028848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-24807526153190132522012-07-15T00:37:31.690-04:002012-07-15T00:37:31.690-04:00Rebecca, since I've read all of your "Moo...Rebecca, since I've read all of your "Moon" books, I could really relate to your examples, remembering how the stories would develop. Great blog. Thanks!Dr. Debra Hollandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04556327521528996385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-38395390511782684632012-07-11T11:06:44.420-04:002012-07-11T11:06:44.420-04:00I do see books where it alternates first and third...I do see books where it alternates first and third--w/ no intro to whose talking. I'm thinking of Michael Connley's books which feature Mickey Hauler and Harry Bosch. Mickey is in first person and Harry is in third, and they alternate.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-49376018677425967462012-07-11T10:08:08.761-04:002012-07-11T10:08:08.761-04:00What do you think about alternating first and thir...What do you think about alternating first and third person POV (that's the way I'm writing my current novel)? Do I still need to head it with the name of the character since it's obvious in first line just from POV as to who's in the spotlight?Tobyhttp://www.tobydevens.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-3067102713925760892012-07-10T15:11:40.167-04:002012-07-10T15:11:40.167-04:00Thanks Sapphire and Jess. I'm thrilled that yo...Thanks Sapphire and Jess. I'm thrilled that you want to follow my posts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-37896098728730118672012-07-10T14:48:36.186-04:002012-07-10T14:48:36.186-04:00Great post and I'm thrilled to get in on the b...Great post and I'm thrilled to get in on the beginning of your blogging! (I'll catch up on the previous posts.) Also, love your YouTube videos and the writing tips on your website! I'm here to LEARN!Jessica Fergusonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18320362797117599955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-12329451445292688982012-07-10T10:31:24.219-04:002012-07-10T10:31:24.219-04:00Very true about the not delivering part, Rebecca. ...Very true about the not delivering part, Rebecca. You can not cheat the reader, ever.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-52692535749832652052012-07-09T19:52:14.517-04:002012-07-09T19:52:14.517-04:00Mary, thanks. Love your historical Thriller, THE W...Mary, thanks. Love your historical Thriller, THE WILD PRINCESS. <br /><br />Maria,glad the information is helpful. Yes, a romance should be plotted to get the h/h together near the beginning of the book.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-72285218406500306952012-07-09T19:15:00.596-04:002012-07-09T19:15:00.596-04:00All really, really good information and something ...All really, really good information and something I've learned the hard way. Now, 10 years later, I'd like to think I'm finally beginning to understand how to truly write well. My early works... well, let's just say no one wants to wait 73 pages before the h/h finally meet! And that book was not an urban fantasy, it was billed a romance. No wonder it never sold! LOL... all great advice, Rebecca! Thanks for this.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09899243599516908136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-30162760494104892562012-07-09T18:54:05.118-04:002012-07-09T18:54:05.118-04:00Hum. I see i said I usually write in first person....Hum. I see i said I usually write in first person. Arg. Meant 3rd person. Sigh.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-70384585988214763002012-07-09T13:07:07.934-04:002012-07-09T13:07:07.934-04:00I love that you are giving new writers practical a...I love that you are giving new writers practical advice they can use to make their own stories really emotional, and will help them create a strong bond between reader and central character. Openings are so very important--can make or break a book. Regardless of whether you're writing paranormal romance,as you do, or sweet romance, inspirational, or even historical thrillers (as I do), you need to start strong. Best of luck with your own career and with this insightful blog. Mary Hart PerryMary Hart Perryhttp://www.maryhartperry.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-31132236623505052312012-07-09T12:42:36.333-04:002012-07-09T12:42:36.333-04:00Silver--thanks for the great first line. Yes, it ...Silver--thanks for the great first line. Yes, it would work in a lot of different genres.<br /><br />Toby--<br />I think beginning a book w/ dialogue is fine. I do it when I think it's the right way to go.<br /><br />I usually write in first person. DARK MOON begins from the pov of a kidnap victim. We see her kidnapped, then the h/h get the assignment of rescuing her. I think if a writer knows what she's doing, alternating first person pov will work. If I were doing it, I'd put the person's name at the top of each section.<br />Wyatt<br />Sara<br />So you don't have to wonder whose head you are in.<br /><br />BTW, I wrote my first novel, INVASION OF THE BLUE LIGHTS, (repub as an e-book) in first person--from the pov of a 12-yo boy. (It was fun getting to be a kid again.) Interestingly, a lot of YA and juvenile fiction is written in first person.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07797338879140793709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-82739134011836360942012-07-09T12:31:53.790-04:002012-07-09T12:31:53.790-04:00Loved this, Rebecca. Two questions: how do you fee...Loved this, Rebecca. Two questions: how do you feel about beginning a book with dialogue--perhaps the heroine talking? Also: You mention alternating points of view. I'm assuming that's third person. Can a ssuccessful romance be written in alternating FIRST person POV? Or is that a recipe for disaster?Toby Devenshttp://www.tobydevens.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-2149402616580869332012-07-09T12:18:53.886-04:002012-07-09T12:18:53.886-04:00Another great bit of advice, Rebecca, for writers ...Another great bit of advice, Rebecca, for writers in all stages of their career. I have another opening line to add. I happen to be rereading Jennifer Lyon's NIGHT MAGIC (from her paranormal Wing Slayer series. First line of chapter one reads: Ailish Dononvan was home for the family reunion from hell. That line could work for so many different genres/sub-genres!Silver Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15606837105470988646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-35225569976856081732012-07-09T10:24:12.471-04:002012-07-09T10:24:12.471-04:00Loved the line about delivering what you promise--...Loved the line about delivering what you promise--you actually need to deliver more, or the reader may feel cheated and let down. And this won't help toward building a following, what writers have to do if they want to make a career of it.nancy baggetthttp://www.kitchenlane.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-6746712260803528442012-07-09T09:48:48.160-04:002012-07-09T09:48:48.160-04:00Both great examples. Yes, you definitely want to k...Both great examples. Yes, you definitely want to know what comes next.Rebecca Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00868406006575223127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-90234317345486212682012-07-09T09:43:03.310-04:002012-07-09T09:43:03.310-04:00Hey Rebecca,
Great posts! And a good reminder for ...Hey Rebecca,<br />Great posts! And a good reminder for me as I'm about to dig into my next story. I too LOVED Garwood's Honor's Splendor -- one of my all time favorites of hers and of course that opener was fantastic. Another one:<br /><br />"She was willing to die, of course, but she had not planned to do it so soon, or in such a prolonged and uncomfortable fashion, or at the hands of her own countrymen." --The Spymaster's Lady, by Joanna Bourne<br /><br />And this one:<br /><br />"Ten years ago, on my sixth birthday, my father disappeared." --The Iron King by Julie KagawaMisty Dietzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18442950064729947684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-34729055976383291992012-07-09T09:29:11.358-04:002012-07-09T09:29:11.358-04:00Thanks Loni and Chassie. Yes, I'm hoping this ...Thanks Loni and Chassie. Yes, I'm hoping this is useful for beginners and old hands. Writing the posts reminds ME of what I'm supposed to be thinking about, too.Rebecca Yorkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00868406006575223127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-73119662748424683122012-07-09T09:00:26.271-04:002012-07-09T09:00:26.271-04:00Rebecca,
Invaluable advice, both for someone ju...Rebecca,<br /> Invaluable advice, both for someone just getting started and for the already published as a refresher. It's so easy to get up to one's ears in details that we forget or miss the basics. You're a dynamite teacher. Can't wait for the next installment.Chassienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2190272161363326208.post-49922822494666149192012-07-09T07:46:58.589-04:002012-07-09T07:46:58.589-04:00Rebecca,
This was a great piece to read this morni...Rebecca,<br />This was a great piece to read this morning! I really enjoyed reading about the opening, getting the characters together, especially since I am starting my revisions of an older novel (again) this morning. I'm a pantser but taking time to note simple things you've been talking about these past few posts have really helped to set the stage.<br /><br />Thanks, have a great day and can't wait to keep following your terrific guidance.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12427417933735772273noreply@blogger.com