The First 100 Words - CrimeSpace2024-03-28T08:24:01Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:130526?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A130574&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThose archaeopteryx are right…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-15:537324:Comment:1310182008-03-15T20:12:01.528ZGrant McKenziehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/McKenzie
Those archaeopteryx are right bastards ;-)
Those archaeopteryx are right bastards ;-) Now that's something you don'…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-15:537324:Comment:1309992008-03-15T19:41:58.823ZPatrick Balesterhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/PatrickBalester
Now that's something you don't see everyday! I think I'll add this one to my reading list.
Now that's something you don't see everyday! I think I'll add this one to my reading list. I see you're getting your Bri…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-15:537324:Comment:1309352008-03-15T14:21:39.275ZSandra Ruttanhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Sandramre
I see you're getting your Brit lingo down, Grant. ;)
I see you're getting your Brit lingo down, Grant. ;) Yeah, Dick was the master of…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-14:537324:Comment:1308572008-03-14T23:30:01.025ZMark Ellishttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/MarkEllis
Yeah, Dick was the master of the juxtaposition of the bizarre and the ordinary, combined with a rather laconic delivery. Joe has that ability, too.<br />
<br />
I always strive for that effect with own opening hooks. Here's the first 70 plus words from a recent novel of mine, <i>Cryptozoica</i>:<br />
<br />
When Kavanaugh heard about the throat-cutting, he knew exactly where to find Mouzi.<br />
<br />
There had been a brawl at the Phoenix of Beauty. A Papuan deckhand had gotten too rough with one of the girls and the pair of…
Yeah, Dick was the master of the juxtaposition of the bizarre and the ordinary, combined with a rather laconic delivery. Joe has that ability, too.<br />
<br />
I always strive for that effect with own opening hooks. Here's the first 70 plus words from a recent novel of mine, <i>Cryptozoica</i>:<br />
<br />
When Kavanaugh heard about the throat-cutting, he knew exactly where to find Mouzi.<br />
<br />
There had been a brawl at the Phoenix of Beauty. A Papuan deckhand had gotten too rough with one of the girls and the pair of wicked little butterfly knives Mouzi always carried came out of her pockets.<br />
<br />
After Mouzi was done with him, the bouncer threw the man onto the embankment so the archaeopteryx could eat what was left. Hah, I'm behind on Bruen.tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-14:537324:Comment:1308172008-03-14T21:50:47.136ZI. J. Parkerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Ingpark
Hah, I'm behind on Bruen.
Hah, I'm behind on Bruen. Oh. My Gosh. I agonize over t…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-14:537324:Comment:1307892008-03-14T18:19:45.793ZKathryn Lilleyhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/KathrynL
Oh. My Gosh. I agonize over the first hundred words--the first <i>fifty</i> words--like you would <i>not</i> believe. I think they're critical. Normally, I'll go back and change the opening paragraphs a gazillion times to get it just right. It's especially important when the first few pages of your next book appear in the back of the current one. As a reader, if the first few paragraphs don't hook me, I'll look for something else--another book, usually.
Oh. My Gosh. I agonize over the first hundred words--the first <i>fifty</i> words--like you would <i>not</i> believe. I think they're critical. Normally, I'll go back and change the opening paragraphs a gazillion times to get it just right. It's especially important when the first few pages of your next book appear in the back of the current one. As a reader, if the first few paragraphs don't hook me, I'll look for something else--another book, usually. Talking about endings. I just…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-14:537324:Comment:1307882008-03-14T18:12:47.984ZGrant McKenziehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/McKenzie
Talking about endings. I just finished Ken Bruen's <i>The Dramatist</i> the other night and the ending absolutely floored me - Wow! I'm still gob-smacked.<br />
Naturally, I started reading <i>Priest</i> this morning ;-)
Talking about endings. I just finished Ken Bruen's <i>The Dramatist</i> the other night and the ending absolutely floored me - Wow! I'm still gob-smacked.<br />
Naturally, I started reading <i>Priest</i> this morning ;-) As the guy who wrote that pos…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-14:537324:Comment:1307672008-03-14T17:01:32.482ZBrett Battleshttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/bbattles
As the guy who wrote that post on Murderati, I should chime in here. John, I think you misunderstood my point. It's not about starting quickly or in action or in the middle of a scene. Those are all choices, sure. But it's starting out with words that grab the reader and suck them into your story. That could be a beautiful description, or an interior monologue. It can be anything really, but it must be interesting, and well written. That was the point. The first 100 words are also not the most…
As the guy who wrote that post on Murderati, I should chime in here. John, I think you misunderstood my point. It's not about starting quickly or in action or in the middle of a scene. Those are all choices, sure. But it's starting out with words that grab the reader and suck them into your story. That could be a beautiful description, or an interior monologue. It can be anything really, but it must be interesting, and well written. That was the point. The first 100 words are also not the most important part of a book, but they are right up there. Ultimately, it's about the entire story you tell. The first 100, or first chapter even, gets them into the book, the body keeps them there, and the end makes them want to read your next one. All important. I have to tell you, I quit re…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-14:537324:Comment:1307642008-03-14T17:01:22.710ZPepper Smithhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Reefrunner
I have to tell you, I quit reading that first example before I got through it. Poor thing, I can't imagine having to read a whole book of that!
I have to tell you, I quit reading that first example before I got through it. Poor thing, I can't imagine having to read a whole book of that! Again, I don't think it's abo…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2008-03-14:537324:Comment:1307622008-03-14T17:00:39.652ZRobert Gregory Brownehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/RobGregoryBrowne
Again, I don't think it's about starting with a bang. It's about ENGAGING the reader right from the start.
Again, I don't think it's about starting with a bang. It's about ENGAGING the reader right from the start.