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Quick Skills: Tips on Creating that First line

By on April 24, 2012 in Editing Basics, How do I start my Scene?, Quick Skills, Susan May Warren

How you hook your reader on the first page? I love this quote by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who won the 1992 Nobel Prize for Literature for 100 years of Solitude. “One of the most difficult things is the first paragraph…in the first paragraph, you solve most of the problems with your book. The theme is defined, the style, the tone. At least in my case, the paragraph is a kind of sample of what the rest of the book is going to be.” By the way, that book sold over 10 million copies. The hook paragraph, your first paragraph just might be the most important paragraph you write in your entire story. Yesterday, I talked about four ways to begin your story. Today, I’m going to share with you my […]

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Conversations: Crafting the first sentence hook!

By on April 23, 2012 in Editing Basics, How do I start my Scene?, Truth or Dare: Conversations with an aspiring novelist

“I’m sorry Sally, I don’t have much time today. I’m on my way to the airport.” I unwound the scarf from my neck and slid into the chair. “But I did want to talk to you quickly about Hooks and First Lines.” I pulled out the printed email she sent me. “I have your new draft here. You did such a great job of pulling me into the story and deleting all but the essential backstory. Now I want you to take a look at that first sentence. “See, most authors don’t start their stories out in the right place, and even when they do, they struggle to get that first line. I often write the first line last, after the book is written just because by then I know […]

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Don’t Be Fooled Part Three: Driven by What’s Inside

By on April 21, 2012 in Encourage Me!, Reba Hoffman, Writer's life, Writing Life, Writing Life Coaching

A few years ago Subaru came up with a commercial slogan: Driven by What’s Inside. It made a snappy twenty second spot on TV but that message is not even remotely unique. Since the beginning of time mankind has always been driven by what’s inside. Your thoughts, beliefs, environment and experiences all provide the fuel for your little engine that should. I coach individuals who have been given a tankful of sugar water. Their emotional engine spat and sputtered until it completely stopped dead in the middle of their road to success. They watch helplessly as others speed by them at lightning speed, seemingly without a care in the world. The only thing they can do is be towed in and have their engine overhauled. Because we are all driven […]

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The Genesis Semi-Finalists have been Chosen!!

By on April 20, 2012 in Editing Basics

Congratulations to our amazing MBT VOICES who are Genesis Semi-Finalists!! Contemporary Fiction Buffaloe Kimberli Ehret Michael Herringshaw Casey Massaro Michelle Phillips Colleen Shine Contemporary Romance Atkins Jennie Basham Pepper Buckner Kimberly Buckner Kimberly Faris Tari Keller Jessica Matayo Amy McNear Shannon Moncado Carol Nell Andrea Tagg Melissa   Historical Fiction Chiavaroli Heidi Miller Christina Thomas Sarah Younts Elizabeth Byler   Historical Romance Barnett Karen Crandall Dawn Curtis Barbara Mason Susan Anne Rhoads Marilyn Rich Christina Takamiya Ginger Wilder Rachel   Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Sheehy Matthew   Romantic Suspense Boire Paula Coulter Arlene Hughett Kelli Padgett Carrie Trainum Pat Vorreiter Katy Weldon Terri Speculative Fiction Stevens Amanda G. Stevens Amanda G.   Women’s Fiction Almony Connie Bradley Sally Nelson Christina Scott-Jones Katherine Toto Julia Trawick Pamela   Young Adult Hamilton Mary L. Hartzler […]

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