You’ve jump started your story with an inciting incident, and home world (maybe not in that order, but definitely in the first chapter) and now you need to write…Chapter 2. Last week we talked about the considerations in crafting Chapter 1. To see the checklist, click here. And, to catch up with the story to date…Chapter 1, Scene 1 Kenzie, Chapter 1 Scene 1 Luke That first chapter is key for pulling your reader into the story. They need to like the characters (and worry about them) enough to keep reading to chapter 2. But now, you need to give your reader a reason to go on the Noble Quest with them. This chapter is all about giving your character (and your reader) enough motivation to go on the journey. […]
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Crafting your First Chapter for a Suspense – Application
The first chapter in a suspense novel is the most important. You want to introduce your characters, create sympathy for the, hint at the stakes or danger, and hook the reader to turn the page. How do we do this? I’m going to apply the questions from yesterday to my WIP today. Below is the link to the first scene of chapter One of Limelight, a novel I wrote for MBT teaching purposes. For your FYI, here is the Premise: She’s a movie star with a cause – fighting to stop human trafficking. In fact, she’s gone far as to write, produce, fund and star in an independent film about the horrors of human trafficking. Except – someone doesn’t want it shown, and has bad-mouthed the movie onto Hollywood’s black list. […]
Read the RestHow to Craft the First Chapter in a Suspense
Summer’s Over. I know because, well, the kids went back to school last week. And we had our first conference football game (which we won!) And the Minnesota Vikings lost yesterday. *sigh* But most importantly, the August blogging hiatus at MBT is over, and it’s time to start working on our suspense WIPS again! We spent the first seven months of this year studying Suspense, the four components that go into powerful suspense structure, and what each component contains. We talked about the elements of the ignition, the deadline, and crafting villains and heroes who can save the world. Now it’s time to put it all together! Writing a novel is a two part process – the creating of characters, the gathering of the elements and the plotting of the […]
Read the RestWhy should I read your book?
It’s early on a Sunday morning, and the house is quiet. It’s my favorite time to read so I wander downstairs to my bookshelves to hunt up a book. I have over 500 books, many that I haven’t read. Twenty minutes later, I’m still hunting (It’s not unlike trying to find something to wear!) What am I looking for? Voice, Character Sympathy, an intriguing plot…and the most important element…WHY. This is the last – and the most important trick to writing a suspense. W – Why – Why should they read your book? So it’s fun? So it’s romantic so your character has overcome some dangers and saved the world. The key to a great suspense is that it more than just a romance, more than just a thriller. A […]
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