tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post4695637573590198629..comments2024-03-28T23:49:23.325-06:00Comments on Author Elana Johnson: The Starting LineElana Johnsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-3770190244736570952009-08-14T20:40:23.799-06:002009-08-14T20:40:23.799-06:00I like to start BBE. But not much. But, yeah. I th...I like to start BBE. But not much. But, yeah. I think we should know the characters to some small degree and care about them before we start shooting fireballs at them.<br /><br />Although, one of my books starts out 1000 years ABE. It is just a prologue, though, and then the real story starts DBE, right at ground zero.<br /><br />In general, though, I'm not a "throw them right into the action and have the reader scrambling to keep up" kind of a girl. I am, however, a big "hook their interest from the very first word" believer.<br /><br />I don't think you have to grip them by the throat to do it, though. Depending on the genre, of course. I don't write in the G.I. Joe genre.<br /><br />In fact, in the one that starts DBE, the reader is already highly familiar with the story since it's historical fiction, so they won't be on the edge of their seat too much anyway, 'cuz they know the final outcome from the minute they open the front cover. Of course, the whole point of writing the book is to make them think about what they /don't/ already know, so maybe I'm wrong about that. ???<br /><br />Sorry to use your "comments" to write my own blog posts, by the way. I'll try to keep it brief-ish from now on. (yeah, right, she says under her breath.)Jenn Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10443688970619269216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-47484415456048613702009-08-13T01:46:45.904-06:002009-08-13T01:46:45.904-06:00I learned how to do ths from you...now I can't...I learned how to do ths from you...now I can't imagine starting a book any other way. So, in case I haven;t thanked you...THANKS!!!Christine Fonsecahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16986034666903054819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-41277071321297791892009-08-12T22:24:05.012-06:002009-08-12T22:24:05.012-06:00I like to start during the BE. Always have and pr...I like to start during the BE. Always have and probably always will. Thanks for the great post!B.J. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767654810069240472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-67538619845849268782009-08-12T22:20:56.936-06:002009-08-12T22:20:56.936-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.B.J. Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767654810069240472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-42169662347669797182009-08-12T22:16:25.365-06:002009-08-12T22:16:25.365-06:00I can't wait to read your novel.I can't wait to read your novel.Cinder Rail'leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03422971305954362140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-58078432239494025462009-08-12T21:24:20.883-06:002009-08-12T21:24:20.883-06:00I started my first book right before a big event. ...I started my first book right before a big event. The second one was sort of after. I feel the second one is actually a little easier to write, oddly enough. <br /><br />As for spoon feeding. I'm still trying to master that ability without getting character applesauce all over the screen. =pKatie Salidashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15159923761047042193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-28115943733910541022009-08-12T20:23:34.861-06:002009-08-12T20:23:34.861-06:00The way I've heard it described is: "star...The way I've heard it described is: "start the story at the point where there is a change in the character's life."<br /><br />I just posted the long awaited and much anticipated (both by me!) post on my blog about frustration. It's called Frustration pumped perseverance through my veins. <br /><br />check it out at:<br /><br />janmarkley.blogspot.comJan Markleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08317561950719847803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-82394508620922029642009-08-12T19:35:17.956-06:002009-08-12T19:35:17.956-06:00I'm also one to do just before the BE. In my W...I'm also one to do just before the BE. In my WIP Human Servant (WT) I lead the reader through the after math of the BE. It will hopefully be full of "how the heck are they going to get through this" kind of reactions.JAlexanderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13640848555229168770noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-47766288147333532302009-08-12T18:31:03.602-06:002009-08-12T18:31:03.602-06:00I love starting right before a BE; and when I say ...I love starting right before a BE; and when I say before, I mean like two or three pages before. My favorite part of a BE is the suspense right before it happens, so I like the reader to feel the hype and want to see what the BE will be. But I like starting after too; it raises questions and intrigue. :)Katiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06851403823244758904noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-54810005050790806782009-08-12T18:23:31.820-06:002009-08-12T18:23:31.820-06:00Both of mine start the day of the BE. One just a f...Both of mine start the day of the BE. One just a few minutes before, and the other about two hours before. So I guess before, but in both of my novels I need to establish the normal before I take them out of it.<br /><br />Both of my novels have big explosions in the first chapters. It sounds like I have some kind of fascination with it actually, but I don't.<br /><br />I think I start before, just before so that I can show BE. <br /><br />Interesting post!Mimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08685941102691667990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-17731363707217380822009-08-12T17:46:27.443-06:002009-08-12T17:46:27.443-06:00I think I must be addicted to set up, because when...I think I must be addicted to set up, because when I was revising the first draft of my WIP I realized I had 80 pages before the BE. Now there's considerably (consiiiiiderably) fewer pages. And when I read your post, I thought "huh. People start writing at or post BE?" which is the sign of a sickness, a sickness I tell you.<br /><br />And now I'm off to think outside the box. Thanks!Veronica Rothhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04728002051255414818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-50144665200174457632009-08-12T17:39:13.727-06:002009-08-12T17:39:13.727-06:00It totally depends on the story whether I start be...It totally depends on the story whether I start before or during. But most of the time during- jumps you right into the story and sets the stage. I'm still learning so maybe my next story I start just after the big event - whatever it may be. :)Robin Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07765229264945106765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-55102576983989140552009-08-12T15:40:08.205-06:002009-08-12T15:40:08.205-06:00Elana! You are the BEST! Thanks so much for the aw...Elana! You are the BEST! Thanks so much for the awesome shout out!<br /><br />I definitely tend to start in the middle of the BE. :) Thanks again, girl! You rock!Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-32024095593637075182009-08-12T15:02:02.244-06:002009-08-12T15:02:02.244-06:00This is a great post! I'm an "after the B...This is a great post! I'm an "after the BE" type of girl. :-)Kathryn Hupp-Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03776391661543060879noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-49881019475723128362009-08-12T13:41:41.450-06:002009-08-12T13:41:41.450-06:00I like to start in the midst of the big event, so ...I like to start in the midst of the big event, so you see a bit of the MC's life before everything started to go ka-blooey.Kate Karyus Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15581176126578915929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-34487561905365401802009-08-12T13:06:49.896-06:002009-08-12T13:06:49.896-06:00I vary it up, I guess. Usually, it's pretty da...I vary it up, I guess. Usually, it's pretty darn close to the BE as it can get--regardless of whether it's before, after, or during.<br />Great post! I'm off to check out your link recommendation!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-55001626749473610422009-08-12T13:01:09.568-06:002009-08-12T13:01:09.568-06:00Ohh, we're typically DBE or ABE writers. I gue...Ohh, we're typically DBE or ABE writers. I guess I'd never really thought of it before. Great post!lisa and laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18144863275895761642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-81765880832363222262009-08-12T11:38:05.070-06:002009-08-12T11:38:05.070-06:00Hmm...I had to really think about this one. I gene...Hmm...I had to really think about this one. I generally start out just before the BE, usually at the catalyst that triggers the BE. Plenty of action, but still gives the reader the "pleasure" of going through the BE with the characters, instead of learning about it afterward (or being throw into the middle, where they don't really care about the characters yet).<br /><br />I think I prefer that just because that's what I prefer as a reader. My biases are obvious in my reasoning above.Jamie D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05486427517423813962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-62984379780932837662009-08-12T11:34:27.816-06:002009-08-12T11:34:27.816-06:00I am definitely a before the BE writer. I like to...I am definitely a before the BE writer. I like to start at the moment just before and work from there. Whether or not that's the best way to do it is yet to be seen.... ;)Amanda Bonillahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05983960181205765184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-580599776723483102009-08-12T11:10:56.895-06:002009-08-12T11:10:56.895-06:00I started my WIP at every possible place I could t...I started my WIP at every possible place I could think of (great honkin' file of aborted starts). I thought I had an action-packed opener that was media res, but when I took it to a conference where big-time editors and agents got a read, they pretty much all said that they wanted more character development before the inciting event. So back to the drawing board. One of my new starts was at birth (no backstory there!) but I quickly abandoned that idea.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-43526478452837483862009-08-12T11:00:15.744-06:002009-08-12T11:00:15.744-06:00I start before, but that is usually because I don&...I start before, but that is usually because I don't yet know what the BE is.Annie Loudenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13008836459417708235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-9782079908733130342009-08-12T10:58:04.991-06:002009-08-12T10:58:04.991-06:00I'm a big believer of starting in media res. ...I'm a big believer of starting in media res. If it's good enough for Homer, it's good enough for me! :)<br /><br />Great post!Rebecca Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15214077952378770753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-30334165321914694032009-08-12T10:51:14.226-06:002009-08-12T10:51:14.226-06:00It's a mix for me. My current novel, I'm ...It's a mix for me. My current novel, I'm starting right before the BE because there are sub-plots that pick up steam and act as impetus for the main thing of the first half of the book. Then the BE of the first half leads into the BE of the second half.<br /><br />My short stories usually start in the middle of the BE.<br /><br />And my poetry is all about the BE so take that for what you will.Stephanie McGeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16507025637411479409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-59259046665191086762009-08-12T10:47:47.214-06:002009-08-12T10:47:47.214-06:00Most times after, sometimes before, but rarely at ...Most times after, sometimes before, but rarely at the BE.<br /><br />SScotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9058478111996476699.post-23492519606417895022009-08-12T10:34:27.318-06:002009-08-12T10:34:27.318-06:00Mine is after BE. It makes things so intriguing a...Mine is after BE. It makes things so intriguing and you don't have to worry about your hook quite as much, because you KNOW you're throwing the reader right into it and not (possibly) leading up to it with dribble.Casey Somethinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596079290053524103noreply@blogger.com