how soon to kill the first one? - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T11:28:51Zhttps://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/how-soon-to-kill-the-first-one?commentId=537324%3AComment%3A216546&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThat's really interesting. I…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-11-02:537324:Comment:2185562009-11-02T02:14:22.185ZLisa Fernowhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LisaFernow
That's really interesting. I actually tried that first, but thought it read too much like a thriller. Not that that's bad!
That's really interesting. I actually tried that first, but thought it read too much like a thriller. Not that that's bad! Oh, I JUST got that one!tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-11-02:537324:Comment:2185552009-11-02T02:11:10.825ZLisa Fernowhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LisaFernow
Oh, I JUST got that one!
Oh, I JUST got that one! Hi Lisa,
Along Came A Fifer -…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-11-01:537324:Comment:2184712009-11-01T13:43:35.260ZR. Michael Phillipshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/RMichaelPhillips
Hi Lisa,<br />
Along Came A Fifer - is the name of the book. There is a murder that is an element of the plot. It is suggested at in the first couple of chapters but it gets revealed by surprise later on. This sets up the second story line. The second book in the series starts out with a murder which sets up the plot for the entire story.<br />
Mike
Hi Lisa,<br />
Along Came A Fifer - is the name of the book. There is a murder that is an element of the plot. It is suggested at in the first couple of chapters but it gets revealed by surprise later on. This sets up the second story line. The second book in the series starts out with a murder which sets up the plot for the entire story.<br />
Mike Hi Lisa,
I think you should h…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-11-01:537324:Comment:2184592009-11-01T02:33:12.901ZBeth Groundwaterhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BethGroundwater
Hi Lisa,<br />
I think you should have the murder occur in chapter 1 (especially if this is your first mystery manuscript that you're trying to get published), then flashback to the seduction that led up to it. That's exactly what I had to do to get a publishing contract for my cozy, A Real Basket Case. When I moved chapter 3 (with the murder) forward to be chapter 1, then flashed back to the setup in chapters 2 & 3 (the old chapters 1 & 2), I immediately started to get more attention from…
Hi Lisa,<br />
I think you should have the murder occur in chapter 1 (especially if this is your first mystery manuscript that you're trying to get published), then flashback to the seduction that led up to it. That's exactly what I had to do to get a publishing contract for my cozy, A Real Basket Case. When I moved chapter 3 (with the murder) forward to be chapter 1, then flashed back to the setup in chapters 2 & 3 (the old chapters 1 & 2), I immediately started to get more attention from agents & editors and soon sold it. Naturally! Love that. We're s…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-10-26:537324:Comment:2176942009-10-26T16:23:19.168ZLisa Fernowhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LisaFernow
Naturally! Love that. We're so bloodthirsty.
Naturally! Love that. We're so bloodthirsty. Don't know if it helps Lisa,…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-10-25:537324:Comment:2175522009-10-25T04:50:55.369ZJohn Boundyhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/JohnBoundy
Don't know if it helps Lisa, but I killed the first victim in my book, Justice is Coming, on the first page. Naturally, there are others later, but that was my inital "hook" for the reader to get things started with a bang if you will :o)
Don't know if it helps Lisa, but I killed the first victim in my book, Justice is Coming, on the first page. Naturally, there are others later, but that was my inital "hook" for the reader to get things started with a bang if you will :o) My book takes place in the ta…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-10-23:537324:Comment:2173862009-10-23T04:23:35.417ZLisa Fernowhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LisaFernow
My book takes place in the tango community, so I'd prefer to lead up slowly to the murder, as one would lead up slowly to a seduction. Thanks for your perspective, and hope your new release is going well.
My book takes place in the tango community, so I'd prefer to lead up slowly to the murder, as one would lead up slowly to a seduction. Thanks for your perspective, and hope your new release is going well. In my September 15th release…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-10-22:537324:Comment:2173492009-10-22T22:02:00.115ZValerie J. Pattersonhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/ValerieJPatterson
In my September 15th release Honor Thy Neighbor, I started the book with the heroine's recollection of a murder that ties in with the murder that drives the investigation. When my editor suggested I rewrite the first chapter, ditch the recollection and begin straight off with the first murder, I was unsure this would be good for the book. Two murders at the beginning seemed too violent to me, but I took her advice and rewrote my first chapter. Fans have written to tell me the book hooks them…
In my September 15th release Honor Thy Neighbor, I started the book with the heroine's recollection of a murder that ties in with the murder that drives the investigation. When my editor suggested I rewrite the first chapter, ditch the recollection and begin straight off with the first murder, I was unsure this would be good for the book. Two murders at the beginning seemed too violent to me, but I took her advice and rewrote my first chapter. Fans have written to tell me the book hooks them straight off from the first page. While I'm very pleased by this, I'm also curious as to whether or not they'd have had the same reaction with my original first chapter...<br />
<br />
Whether you lead off with a murder or build up to it, I think it depends on how you want the plot to unfold and whether or not it's important that your readers get to know the victim prior to death or revealed slowly throughout the book after their death.<br />
<br />
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/33607290?profile=original" alt=""/></p> Your art theft sounds very gl…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-10-22:537324:Comment:2173052009-10-22T16:09:49.390ZLisa Fernowhttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/LisaFernow
Your art theft sounds very glamorous. What's the title?
Your art theft sounds very glamorous. What's the title? How soon is a great question…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2009-10-22:537324:Comment:2172832009-10-22T13:09:41.254ZR. Michael Phillipshttps://crimespace.ning.com/profile/RMichaelPhillips
How soon is a great question and I have to agree with a few points I read here. If the point of the story is to solve a murder, then I agree it should be early and the hook is important. Whether it's the first, second or third chapter should be up to the writer. My first mystery is about an art theft, but there is a key murder that is "uncovered" quite by accident well into chapter 5. I tried it at the beginning, but it was more a distraction than a key element to set up the plot so I left it…
How soon is a great question and I have to agree with a few points I read here. If the point of the story is to solve a murder, then I agree it should be early and the hook is important. Whether it's the first, second or third chapter should be up to the writer. My first mystery is about an art theft, but there is a key murder that is "uncovered" quite by accident well into chapter 5. I tried it at the beginning, but it was more a distraction than a key element to set up the plot so I left it where it was. Stumbling across it had a much greater effect. I like writers that don't follow hard and fast rules, especially in a mystery. Some people jump right into a hot bath and others ease in one toe at a time. Either way, you still get wet.