tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post1545709376344182858..comments2024-03-27T03:14:07.652-04:00Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: A Checklist for First ChaptersMissy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-41774244778083854642019-03-22T08:25:28.194-04:002019-03-22T08:25:28.194-04:00Debby, early in my writing career, someone told me...Debby, early in my writing career, someone told me chapter 1 will reveal the following: the character and all of his or her features, the setting, and the conflict. I've adapted that strategy into all of my books. Another thing I've done was to drag out as long as possible the details of what the character is going through. In that way, that will cause the reader to turn the pages, to keep them guessing what is going on.<br /><br />Faye Wilson Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09539607263212337056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-38577789571008939192019-03-22T03:20:11.970-04:002019-03-22T03:20:11.970-04:00I love learning how authors think and plan. I want...I love learning how authors think and plan. I want a story that I can become immersed in, without techniques being blatantly obvious. Your checklist seems to cover the story requirements.Jennifer Hibdonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15587820541447698766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-81235102708884828612019-03-21T16:33:05.518-04:002019-03-21T16:33:05.518-04:00HI Jan! I know your first chapter is perfect!
Hug...HI Jan! I know your first chapter is perfect!<br /><br />Hugs!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-65615421110615372052019-03-21T15:54:06.417-04:002019-03-21T15:54:06.417-04:00How did you know that I'm working on my first ...How did you know that I'm working on my first chapter right now??? Your timing is perfect, Debby! I'll be referring to this post often. Thank you!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-42197463774399132722019-03-21T11:12:40.009-04:002019-03-21T11:12:40.009-04:00You're a pro at writing first chapters, Glynna...You're a pro at writing first chapters, Glynna! Love your stories.Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-59665301735311846432019-03-21T11:12:07.940-04:002019-03-21T11:12:07.940-04:00I enjoy ALL your comments, Vince!
I enjoy ALL your comments, Vince!<br />Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-67379420071013726592019-03-21T08:30:35.604-04:002019-03-21T08:30:35.604-04:00Great check list, Debby! First chapters are so FUN...Great check list, Debby! First chapters are so FUN to write, but CHALLENGING to get everything in there that needs to be in there. So many things that need to be clearly established in order to carry your reader (and the writer!) happily to THE END!Glynna Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11914006944057671962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-55602867356995273112019-03-21T01:30:32.149-04:002019-03-21T01:30:32.149-04:00Hi Debby:
This has been a really interesting post...Hi Debby:<br /><br />This has been a really interesting post. I've read all the comments and hope there are more tomorrow. I am also going to enjoy leaving a short comment!Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-80911454665579459332019-03-20T22:10:31.584-04:002019-03-20T22:10:31.584-04:00So glad the first line in your third book resonate...So glad the first line in your third book resonated with the editor! Way to go, Patti Jo!<br /><br />Love you, dear friend. Congrats on your publishing success!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-60293163330933085732019-03-20T22:06:38.118-04:002019-03-20T22:06:38.118-04:00Lee-Ann, thanks for your input! I agree. Love that...Lee-Ann, thanks for your input! I agree. Love that wrench that changes the direction of the story!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-69790856057326684912019-03-20T22:05:17.862-04:002019-03-20T22:05:17.862-04:00Thanks for sharing, Dianna!Thanks for sharing, Dianna!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-44655539797738393942019-03-20T21:27:29.568-04:002019-03-20T21:27:29.568-04:00I'm later stopping by, but wanted to say this ...I'm later stopping by, but wanted to say this is a great post, Debby. I love having a checklist for most anything - - but it's especially helpful for writing! <br /><br />First lines are so interesting to me - - I pulled some books from my shelves recently just to read the first line. Quite an assortment! <br /><br />The first line of my 3rd book (will release very soon!) popped into my head when I was preparing to begin the story. At first I thought it was silly, but that line just wouldn't leave me, LOL. As it turns out, my Editor loved it, so I was glad I didn't delete it! <br />Thank you again for this post. It was SO wonderful seeing you last week!! :)<br /> Hugs, Patti Jo<br /><br />CatMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09985658721138526298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-85063236516476817632019-03-20T21:15:11.986-04:002019-03-20T21:15:11.986-04:00Thanks Debbie for this checklist post. I need to k...Thanks Debbie for this checklist post. I need to keep this one bookmarked! I love when stories begin with predicaments that immediately throws a wrench in the main character's life no matter the genre. Lee-Ann BAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-40183264199232408512019-03-20T18:53:52.877-04:002019-03-20T18:53:52.877-04:00I love it when a chapter starts with a Bible verse...I love it when a chapter starts with a Bible verse, poetry line, or a quote from another story. Diannahttp://savingsinseconds.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-25043378593437586102019-03-20T17:41:37.359-04:002019-03-20T17:41:37.359-04:00Hi Debby:
It's funny that you would mention M... <b>Hi Debby:</b><br /><br />It's funny that you would mention Mary's comment about <b><i>"Petticoat Ranch"</i></b> and moving first lines and even later chapters to the front. <b><i>"Petticoat Ranch"</i></b> is my favorite Mary book and it does everything I like and want to see in a romance. <br /><br />The chapter has a tombstone at the top. <br /><br /><i>Mosqueros, Texas, 1867</i><br /><br />So the reader knows right away where and when the story takes place. <br /> <br />Next follows this opening paragraph:<br /><br /><i>Sophie heard God in every explosion of thunder as she listened to the awesome power of the approaching storm But there was more. There was something coming-- something more than rain.</i> <br /><br />(That's a lot better than "It was a dark and stormy night." :) )<br /><br />This opening leads right into the unfolding inciting incident or an initial state where the heroine and her four daughters are hiding out in the desert from bad men who want to do her harm. <br /><br />Not only is a terrible thunder storm headed her way but also what seems like a lot of horsemen riding very fast. Since this is in the desert there is the danger of killer flash floods if you happen to be in a gully. <br /><br />BTW: those thundering hoof beats are a posse which is after the hero to lynch him. The hero rides rapidly past the heroine's hiding place and falls right into a deep gully just moments before the flood waters can be seen approaching the injured hero who lies helpless on the gully bed. Remember it is also a dark night! The heroine has to jump into the gully and pull out the hero out just as the flood waters reach where they are! They are both seconds from being killed!<br /><br />I truly believe that when you have such a powerful inciting incident open the story, it would be almost impossible to write less than a great 'hooking' first sentence. <br /><br />Mary writes exactly as I like best and as such that's why I think of her as a genius! No really, I do.<br /><br />As a marketing person, I would love to see <b><i>"Petticoat Ranch"</i></b> promoted along with her new releases as a "Connealy Classic". The book is just as good as the day it was released and as a historical it will never be outdated. Also, getting fans to read the best of your backlist is a great way to sell all future books. So when making a guest appearance and your new release is featured it would give a 'one-two marketing punch' to promote the classic too.<br /><br />And that goes for "Yule Die" and "Red Kettle Christmas" just as well.<br /><br />Vince<br /><br />Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-48723225406136599812019-03-20T17:19:15.849-04:002019-03-20T17:19:15.849-04:00Looking forward to seeing you, Ruthy, at CFRR!
G...Looking forward to seeing you, Ruthy, at CFRR! <br /><br />Glad today's post provided inspiration!<br /><br />Hugs!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-47649249450150253292019-03-20T17:18:02.518-04:002019-03-20T17:18:02.518-04:00Oh, Lucy, thank you so much! I'm grateful for ...Oh, Lucy, thank you so much! I'm grateful for your support and kind words.<br /><br />Hugs!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-10817484410827418002019-03-20T17:12:29.875-04:002019-03-20T17:12:29.875-04:00Vince, first.... this is spot on. I love how Debby...Vince, first.... this is spot on. I love how Debby weaves her suspense thread with romance and faith and as I eye up doing a suspense series, I read Debby, Shirlee McCoy and Lynette Eason.... I read others too, but I can "see" their methods more clearly and that means a strong, clean read. <br /><br />And I agree that I see first chapters that should get cut all the time... Honestly working in category has honed us to drop into the action, don't get all literary pokey and dokey.... because that's not our job. <br /><br />I use my initial first chapters as my "Getting to Know You" serenade from The King and I... and once I know the characters I re-write that opening and more... But I'm so over the angst of cutting. I used to panic.... EEEK. <br /><br />No more panic, I cut a lot! :)Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-84167681020296033422019-03-20T17:05:44.591-04:002019-03-20T17:05:44.591-04:00Mary, I agree, and that's kind of how it is wi...Mary, I agree, and that's kind of how it is with most professionals in the industry too. I've heard agents and editors tell me/classes/groups that if they're not grabbed in those opening paragraphs, that first page, it's done....<br /><br />And as harsh as that sounds, that's how it should be.<br /><br />Thanks for your honesty.Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-22386031409456639652019-03-20T17:04:03.449-04:002019-03-20T17:04:03.449-04:00Debby, this is so totally opportune. I'm worki...Debby, this is so totally opportune. I'm working on the opening chapters of a proposal and I knew something was flat.... and after reading this I went back to it and saw it straight off.... and knew exactly what I needed to do to make this story jump.<br /><br />I haven't read this newest Giusti yet, but I'm chomping at the bit! Maybe on my way to CFRR... I'll make Beth drive and I'll sit back, sip Diet Mt. Dew and read!<br /><br />Oh, happy day!Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-40906113804273945992019-03-20T16:04:17.022-04:002019-03-20T16:04:17.022-04:00Just finished your book and loved it. You definite...Just finished your book and loved it. You definitely have those first lines down pat.Lucy Reynolds https://www.blogger.com/profile/14634010131101221224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-90175663088092100092019-03-20T15:03:37.756-04:002019-03-20T15:03:37.756-04:00Thank you, Laura. So glad the blog posted at the r...Thank you, Laura. So glad the blog posted at the right time for you! Good luck finding that perfect first line!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-51543339789991464932019-03-20T14:41:38.925-04:002019-03-20T14:41:38.925-04:00I love this! And it's such great timing for me...I love this! And it's such great timing for me. I'm almost finished with my current WIP but the first line just doesn't have the punch I want. I'm going back to rework it. Especially love this idea: "Have the lead character whisper a warning, tell a secret, make a promise." Opens up all sorts of new possibilities. Thank you, Debby! And congratulations on Amish Safe House being a Publishers Weekly bestseller! Laura Conner Kestnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602442584400600203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-24664423721167363312019-03-20T13:46:47.394-04:002019-03-20T13:46:47.394-04:00Thanks for adding even more to your first comment,...Thanks for adding even more to your first comment, Vince! See Mary's comment below about first chapters that sometimes can be cut. Great minds think alike!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-84066707491660786042019-03-20T13:43:55.201-04:002019-03-20T13:43:55.201-04:00Missy, so true about making the character/hero/her...Missy, so true about making the character/hero/heroine sympathetic. Michael Hauge says to establish one of the following about the lead in the opening: the hero/heroine is likable, a master of some skill, in jeopardy or, as you mentioned, evokes sympathy from the reader.Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.com