Kidlitchat Transcript – September 22 (part one)
| 8:02 pm | gregpincus: | TOPIC: How important do you think a strong opening is? What do you look for in one? How do you work on yours? #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | debbieohi: | @jeanie_w LOL! #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | michellewitte: | @PattyJMurphy I’d love one, as long as it’s gluten, corn, and potato free. Restricted diet at the moment. #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | ktubb: | Hi, all! Live blogging from the Midsouth SCBWI conference this weekend athttp://scbwimidsouth2009.blogspot.com/. Please visit! #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | amyknichols: | @PattyJMurphy Sounds good! (I just left the family dinner to come chat with you all. *grin*) #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | jeanie_w: | @mgbuehrlen I just took a Benadryl. We’ll see how long I can last tonight. #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | thaliachaltas: | Maybe Greg went to get noshables? #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | rillajaggia: | @debbieohi yay! You too. and I’d love a chocolate chip cookie @PattyJMurphy #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | JessieHarrell: | hello all – this is my first time here. #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | debbieohi: | @gregpincus Good topic. I agonize over my book beginnings. #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | bonnieadamson: | RT @gregpincus: TOPIC: How important do you think a strong opening is? What do you look for in one? How do you work on yours? #kidlitchat |
| 8:02 pm | LiaKeyes: | @gregpincus GREAT topic! Just what I’m currently struggling with! #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @jeanie_w It’s a race! #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | EngridE1: | @lyonmartin Welcome! Come along for the VERY fast ride!  #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | DDHearn: | I’ve been told a strong opening is about the most important thing, otherwise book gets tossed aside by editor or agent. #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | debbieohi: | @JessieHarrell Welcome, Jessie! #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | michellewitte: | @gregpincus Great topic, btw. I’m ready to dive in. #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | susanwrites: | @gregpincus A strong opening is VERY important if you want anyone to read the rest of the book. #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | thaliachaltas: | @gregpincus Strong openings very important! I look for something that makes me ask a lot of questions. #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | carolgrannick: | @gregpincus I have a new take on beginnings since attending R. Peck wkshop. ‘The end is the beginning.’ #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | gavinobrown: | A strong opening is extremely important, but I do wonder if it gets overvalued by agents and editors pressed for time. #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | HilaryWagner1: | I think with my writing, if the first 3 pages don’t grab you, I’m sunk! #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | JessieHarrell: | must be a balance. can’t be overwritten but must be compelling #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | amyknichols: | @gregpincus I judge other books by the first sentence, so I know I need to write the strongest opening I can. How? Hmm…. #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | gregpincus: | @JessieHarrell Hi, Jessie. Come on in, the water’s fine! Don’t panic if chat zooms by you. It zooms by all of us! #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | auntieflamingo: | I think it’s obvious a strong opening is very important #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | swdillard: | Does anyone think a strong opening ISN’T important? #kidlitchat |
| 8:03 pm | ktubb: | Strong openings – As a reader, I feel like I’d give a book up to 10 pages to hook me. As a writer, I hope to hook on pg 1. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | lchardesty: | Opening: Recently heard to start when your character’s day is different than normal. (But phrased better than that) #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | jeanie_w: | I certainly think a weak opening is a bad idea. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | KatherineBoG: | @michellewitte I find booksellers particularly lovable people, myself… #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | bonnieadamson: | RT @carolgrannick: @gregpincus I have a new take on beginnings since attending R. Peck wkshop. The end is the beginning. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | EngridE1: | @gregpincus Didn’t realize how important a first sentence could be until I started reading a lot of MG books. Hook them or not! #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | sarahockler: | Strong openings: crucial to YA. Lots of titles. Need to grab readers immediately – something that makes it unputdownable. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | ChrisRichman: | Hey, everyone. Stopping in for a bit and will stick around if I can. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | susanwrites: | @gregpincus I like to start with something that will surprise the reader, something unexpected. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | thaliachaltas: | Zooom…. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | DDHearn: | As a reader, I am very patient. I give a book a chance. But I”m not an editor. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | rillajaggia: | The hardest thing to get my head around is what IS a strong beginning? There seem to be so many answers. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | PattyJMurphy: | They’re almost out of the oven. YUMMO:) RE: Beginnings. They’re like warm cookies–must have nuances that tempt the reader. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | marcie8: | As a parent, I know my child who can’t read yet picks the story based on the cover not the opening line #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | jeanie_w: | @gavinobrown I think you may be on to something. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | dlschubert: | @JessieHarrell Welcome, Jessie! #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | auntieflamingo: | An opening cannot give it all away right away #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | susanwrites: | @carolgrannick Yes! I have heard that too. Also to mirror your beginning at the end. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | amyknichols: | @carolgrannick The end is the beginning! I’m finding the more I work on the end, the more I’m having to revise the beginning. #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | bonnieadamson: | @ChrisRichman What’s a good book opening for you? #kidlitchat |
| 8:04 pm | CherylRainfield: | If the opening of a book doesn’t grab me, I can put it down. I think that’s true of many readers, especially YA, & w/ TV focus #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | HilaryWagner1: | @sarahockler Agreed! #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | jeanie_w: | @ChrisRichman Hi Chris! Thanks for stopping by. #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | debbieohi: | @bonnieadamson I’m intrigued. Care to expand on that Richard Peck advice? #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | ChrisRichman: | Beginnings are incredibly important for agents, especially if you have limited pages as a sample. #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | gregpincus: | @carolgrannick YI heard Richard Peck say the end is the beginning, too. Is that “story” talk and not “manuscript” talk? #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | mgbuehrlen: | Strong openings are important, but I recently bought a book based on the opening and regretted it big time. Didn’t finish. #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | CherylRainfield: | I try to make sure that I write gripping openings–since that’s what I love to read. #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | dlschubert: | @ChrisRichman Yay! Chris is here! Remember what I said about if only I wrote kid’s stuff? I’m writing a YA Fantasy novel! #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | sarahockler: | Recently read somewhere – opening answers, “what is MC on the brink of doing?” #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | anindita: | There are a lot of ways to think of a strong opening – not just plot but strong voice! #kidlitchat#kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | StephanieFeagan: | The day that’s different. #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | thaliachaltas: | Which is good, right? Lots of answers? RT @rillajaggia: what IS a strong beginning? There seem to be so many answers. #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | bonnieadamson: | I’ve heard: beginning is end in disguise. #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | rillajaggia: | RT @bonnieadamson: @ChrisRichman Whats a good book opening for you? #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | gregpincus: | @ChrisRichman Good to see you. I think we’d all love to hear an agent’s perspective on the importance of openings. #kidlitchat |
| 8:05 pm | ninjajordyn: | Jumping into the chat. #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | ChrisRichman: | I’ve seen lots of writers take the beginnings too seriously, though, and try to have things start off with half-cooked drama #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | mgbuehrlen: | RT @ChrisRichman: Beginnings are incredibly important for agents, especially if you have limited pages as a sample. #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | rillajaggia: | @thaliachaltas Yes, but confusing when they conflict! #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | Hi everyone! #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | bonnieadamson: | @debbieohi The opening has to contain the seeds of how the problem resolves itself. #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | lyonmartin: | #kidlitchat I need to chuck my first chapters and just start with my second ones to have strong opening. Begin in the middle of the action. |
| 8:06 pm | gregpincus: | RT @thaliachaltas: @gregpincus Strong openings very important! I look for something that makes me ask a lot of questions. #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | auntieflamingo: | Wouldn’t the type of book you’re writing affect the way you open the book? #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | CherylRainfield: | @mgbuehrlen When I buy a book in a bookstore, I always read the first 5-10 pages…I have to like the writing/voice #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | dlschubert: | An opening should be intriguing, mysterious, great voice and character(s) you care about straight away. #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | ninjajordyn: | @rillajaggia An opening with a strong voice/character or one that immediately draws me into the setting, personally. #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | michellewitte: | @KatherineBoG Booksellers are great people. We in publishing <3 them. #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | DDHearn: | Could someone explain what “the end is the beginning” means. I wasn’t at the lecture. #kidlitchat |
| 8:06 pm | debbieohi: | @bonnieadamson Ah, that makes sense. Thanks. #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | EngridE1: | First sentence is like opening the door and inviting readers in. #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | gregpincus: | Yes, I think we’d all agree that a strong opening means diddly in the end if you can’t follow through all the way. #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | laurielyoung: | @mgbuehrlen A lot of books start strong and fade out–I find that a lot with adult, but not as much as kidlit–tighter stories #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | carolgrannick: | @gregpincus At Richard’s wkshop in IL we read first paragraphs to him aloud. He gave rxns. Powerful. Love his beginnings. #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | debbieohi: | @CynthiaCWillis Hi Cynthia! #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | amyknichols: | @bonnieadamson I love getting to the end of a book and realizing the answer was on the first page, but hidden. #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | bonniedoerr: | Observing this evening #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | michellewitte: | @gregpincus I’m a big fan of starting the story in the middle of the action. In media res. (Or however you spell it.) #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | thebookbarr: | Hi everyone, jumping in tonight. #kidlitchat + Phillies game = good night all around. |
| 8:07 pm | rillajaggia: | RT @gregpincus: Yes, I think wed all agree that a strong opening means diddly in the end if you cant follow through all the way. #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | KatherineBoG: | As a bookseller, sent 100s of ARCs I’ll say if I’m not grabbed in the first 20 pages, I have to set it down…too many others #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | mgbuehrlen: | A beginning shouldn’t be melodramatic, but it shouldn’t be droning back story either. #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | Georgia_McBride: | I’m more judgemental as a reader since as a writer my work is being looked at in the same way. I firmly agree w/ @bonnieadamson #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | ninjajordyn: | @laurielyoung Yes, YA/MG/children’s stories are always much tighter than adult & I love that. #kidlitchat |
| 8:07 pm | debbieohi: | RT @EngridE1: First sentence is like opening the door and inviting readers in. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @CherylRainfield Yup, I made the mistake of buying it based on the first page. Never again! #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | bonnieadamson: | @amyknichols Yes! I’m always so impressed–makes me want to read again immediately. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | debbieohi: | RT @bonnieadamson: The opening has to contain the seeds of how the problem resolves itself. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | CherylRainfield: | Agreed! RT @ninjajordyn: @laurielyoung Yes, YA/MG/childrens stories are always much tighter than adult & I love that. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | carolgrannick: | @DDHearn Richard says he finishes ms., then rewrites first chap to reflect how story has gone. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @EngridE1 Great line! I love the door simile! #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | HilaryWagner1: | @gregpincus It seems some writers concentrate so much on the opening, the middle and end don’t get attention. Agents read all! #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | rillajaggia: | @gregpincus Too true, I’ve read so many books that suck you in with a promising beginning and end in a fizzle. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @laurielyoung That’s true. Kidlit seems to keep me engaged all the way through. Why is that? #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | michellewitte: | I struggled with the opening to my current book, until I went back and cut tons of unnecessary info. It really helped. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | KibaKiba: | So, whats #kidlitchat all about? Hello 2 everyone out there! RT @Storybird Starts now 9pmEST/6pmPST hosted by @gregpincus and @bonnieadamson |
| 8:08 pm | susanwrites: | RT @bonnieadamson @debbieohi The opening has to contain the seeds of how the problem resolves itself. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | Georgia_McBride: | I also think the opening should clearly establish state of mind/being/setting if that is critical to storyline or its outcome. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | jlmartin: | @gregpincus Re: a strong opening that doesn’t deliver all the way. Agree. It’s false advertising for the rest of the book. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | ChrisRichman: | Good openings? As far as recent example, The Book Thief has a pretty terrific opening. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | JessieHarrell: | think openings got even more important post-Kindle. w/ free sample pages, if it’s not strong, I won’t order. #kidlitchat |
| 8:08 pm | lynnekelly: | I think it was Richard Peck who said the beginning is the end in disguise, & Jane Yolen said the 1st p. is the DNA of the story #kidlitchat |
| 8:09 pm | amyknichols: | @bonnieadamson Exactly! That’s some of the highest praise a book can get. “I wanted to back to p. 1 and start again.” #kidlitchat |
| 8:09 pm | gregpincus: | There’s also the question of how much a strong opening is – one line? one paragraph? one chapter? #kidlitchat |
| 8:09 pm | bonnieadamson: | @KibaKiba Topic tonight is importance of beginnings. #kidlitchat |
| 8:09 pm | sarahockler: | @mgbuehrlen Agree – too much backstory = boring. Need immediate action. #kidlitchat |
| 8:09 pm | CherylRainfield: | RT @mgbuehrlen @ChrisRichman: Beginnings are incredibly important for agents, especially if you have limited pages as a sample. #kidlitchat |
| 8:09 pm | gregpincus: | RT @JessieHarrell: think openings got even more important post-Kindle. w/ free sample pages, if it’s not strong, I won’t order. #kidlitchat |
| 8:09 pm | rillajaggia: | Oh yeah! RT @ChrisRichman: Good openings? As far as recent example, The Book Thief has a pretty terrific opening. #kidlitchat |
| 8:09 pm | michellewitte: | @gregpincus I really think the first page has to be strong. That’s what people see first when they open the book. #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | lchardesty: | RT @gregpincus: Theres also the question of how much a strong opening is – one line? one paragraph? one chapter? #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | puddleduck6: | Without a strong beginning the book sours.#kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | dlschubert: | @JessieHarrell Good point re: Kindle #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | carolgrannick: | A slightly different angle: I sometimes think I get stuck on first sentence, loving it so much that it’s hard to change. #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | amyknichols: | @ChrisRichman I picked up Book Thief @ the store and stood there reading to page 25. Great opening! #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | ninjajordyn: | I think of the opening as the first couple pages, maybe even less to grab a reader. #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | cheriwilliams: | “Hook” really does say it well. I want to be p-u-l-l-e-d in. #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | marcie8: | I think the entire first page constitutes the opening #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | ChrisRichman: | A great middle grade beginning (as we covered in a recent podcast on the Upstart Crow blog) is Maniac Magee. Terrific opening. #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | gregpincus: | @KibaKiba Tonight our topic is strong beginnings (important? how do you work on them?). Follow/join in using the tag #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | thaliachaltas: | @gregpincus Depends on the length of the book? Strong opening line wonderful, but paragraph gets you going, chapter evenmore #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | bonnieadamson: | But jumping in to action too soon, you don’t care about MC–must establish some rapport? #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | rillajaggia: | When buying for myself, though i seldom read the first page and go by the blurb instead. #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | debbieohi: | @carolgrannick I have the same problem sometimes (getting stuck on a first sentence). #kidlitchat |
| 8:10 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @gregpincus Exactly what I was just thinking. What constitutes the opening? #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | thebookbarr: | I love openings that put me in the middle of a situation & allows me to see how the MC will come through it. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @sarahockler I think a true “artist” should be able to weave the back story throughout the book so you don’t even notice it. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | thaliachaltas: | I guess I don’t lean on one sentence/one para/one chapter so much as writing an engaging scene to start. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | bonnieadamson: | RT @carolgrannick: I sometimes get stuck on first sentence, loving it so much that it’s hard to change. <–me, too. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | DDHearn: | good point? RT @bonnieadamson: But jumping in to action too soon, you dont care about MC–must establish some rapport? #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | CherylRainfield: | @gregpincus As a reader, I read the first few paragraphs-if hasn’t grabbed me by then, I might stop. But i usually read pages. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | EngridE1: | @CynthiaCWillis Thank U! For me, it’s the truth. Yes, I’ll give a story some slack but hook me at the 1st sentence & I’m reading #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | auntieflamingo: | I think if you are writing a chapter/YA book the opening need to be mysterious (make you ask questions.) … #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | gregpincus: | @thaliachaltas That’s why I view the entire manuscript as the opening and make every word perfect #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | michellewitte: | @bonnieadamson You have to establish scene, yest, but you also have to get a feel for character. So yes, very true. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | carolgrannick: | @ChrisRichman Yes. One of the best. MM was first book that made me realize I had to write for kids. Amazed. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | marybrebner: | That first scene is so important–I really like my first line but had to redo rest of scene b/c was telling not showing. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | hatbooks: | #kidlitchat is on now 10 am Tokyo time. Topic is beginnings. |
| 8:11 pm | rillajaggia: | grt ptRT @thaliachaltas: I guess I dont lean on one sentence/one para/one chapter so much as writing an engaging scene to start. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | StephanieFeagan: | I always read page 99. Don’t know why. Blurb, then page 99. Ha! Maybe I’m afraid of sagging middle? #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @carolgrannick I agree! It’s also hard when you don’t like your first sentence and just can’t get it right. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | CherylRainfield: | Me, too. And I want to care. RT @cheriwilliams: “Hook” really does say it well. I want to be p-u-l-l-e-d in. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | auntieflamingo: | … PB needs to smack you in the face – more obvious, not so mysterious. #kidlitchat |
| 8:11 pm | lchardesty: | RT @rillajaggia: When buying for myself, though i seldom read the first page and go by the blurb instead. – me 2- cover & blurb #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | thaliachaltas: | @gregpincus Aha! And the villian gets away so you can do a sequel… #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | KateMessner: | I almost always end up rewriting Chapter 1 after I’ve finished the book – by then, I know what I meant to say. #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | rillajaggia: | @hatbooks Welcome, Tokyo girl! #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | KindrilyKaren: | So excited about this topic. I have 2 beginnings and I’m so on the fence about which I like better. #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | swdillard: | Also important in picture books. I spend about 5 times more time on that first image than on any other in the book. #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | michellewitte: | If I’ve had someone rec a book to me, I’ll give it about 20 pages before I stop if it doesn’t grab me. #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | bonnieadamson: | How many of you are haunted by a great first line, but have nowhere to go with it? . . . Me! #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | lynnekelly: | Les Edgerton has a fantastic book HOOKED that’s all about writing strong beginnings. #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @rillajaggia Maybe it’s b/c I’ve worked in marketing, but I never go by blurbs. They make everything sound so good! #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | LiaKeyes: | I love the opening of The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | sarahockler: | @mgbuehrlen Yep. But boy, that’s tough. Hard to do seamlessly, w/o overt flashback, jumps, telling, etc. #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | Georgia_McBride: | I wrote my first chapter last. Pre-editor said it was best part of the book. Go figure. Changed opening sentence at least 12x. #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | bonnieadamson: | RT @KateMessner: I almost always end up rewriting Chapter 1 after I’ve finished the book – by then, I know what I meant to say. #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | JessieHarrell: | RT @KateMessner I almost always end up rewriting Chapter 1 after I’ve finished the book -by then, I know what I meant to say #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | crissachappell: | @michellewitte exactly. life is too short to read boring books #kidlitchat |
| 8:12 pm | michellewitte: | @KateMessner Chapter one for me is the worst written, most of the time. It’s where I’m just getting a feel for the story. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | thaliachaltas: | Absolutely! RT @KateMessner: I end up rewriting Chapter 1 after Ive finished the book – then, I know what I meant to say. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @bonnieadamson I have one MS like that- I got two chapters in & no clue where to go. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | swdillard: | @bonnieadamson I have thousands of great first lines! #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | carolgrannick: | Pulled in? Yeah. But I like to be thrown in, too! Bam! Right in the middle of something! #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @EngridE1 I agree! It’s hard to put a book down when it has a killer first line. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | debbieohi: | @lynnekelly A book about writing strong beginnings? Sounds intriguing; I must check it out. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | CherylRainfield: | @Joyce_Lansky (laughing) I’m not always patient, at all! I want the writing to move me, grip me, somehow interest me. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | bonnieadamson: | RT @LiaKeyes: I love the opening of The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman.<–other favorites? #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | gavinobrown: | @KindrilyKaren Send links and we’ll decide for you! #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | ChrisRichman: | Writing is easy, everyone. Just write one great sentence to begin, and follow it with 6,000 or so more. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | carolgrannick: | @Georgia_McBride Absolutely. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | gregpincus: | Do picture books rely as strongly on this? Is the first IMAGE as important? #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | EngridE1: | Read Tweets about “Devil’s Kiss” – wouldn’t gravitate to “Devil” – read 1st sentence, couldn’t put it down #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | StephanieFeagan: | @KateMessner Me too, Kate! Which is why I don’t sweat chapter 1 to begin with. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | DDHearn: | @bonnieadamson Heck, I get stuck on a good title, but don’t know what to do with it. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | michellewitte: | @crissachappell I used to force myself to read books, but I’ve given up on that. Too many good ones to get through. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | rillajaggia: | My favorite first line has always been “In a hole in the sand there lived a hobbit.” Yeah! #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | catesfolly: | I think of openings as something you go back and find later. I don’t think I’ve ever kept the same opening I started with. #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | auntieflamingo: | @bonnieadamson Happens to me all the time Great 1st line and then … nothing #kidlitchat |
| 8:13 pm | PattyJMurphy: | Many people throw out their first chapter…and then start with chapter two. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | bonnieadamson: | I’m submitting my great opening for First Pages–have nothing else! #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | mike_jung: | Isn’t it really more like “have a great opening & maintain that level of greatness all the way until the end of the book”? #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @bonnieadamson Yup, that’s happened to me. A great first line is wonderful, but useless if the following copy rots. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | mgbuehrlen: | RT @plufyn_ that could be a metaphor for life… you need more than just a strong opening << Too true! #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | debbieohi: | RT @ChrisRichman: Writing is easy, everyone. Just write one great sentence to begin, and follow it with 6,000 or so more. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | dlschubert: | I’m working on my 5th novel, first YA, & I love the beginning! I haven’t felt this way b4. Not to say, I won’t change it later. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | f_rancesca: | I do believe though that some books need to start slow. Hooky first sentences can be deceptive — and irritating. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | EngridE1: | RT @ChrisRichman: Writing is easy, everyone. Just write one great sentence to begin, and follow it with 6,000 or so more. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | thebookbarr: | The Higher Power of Lucky has a great opening. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | KatherineBoG: | I don’t think it’s the first sentence that is so crucial:it’s the first three pages.always willing to read past line 1, not pg 3 #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | carolgrannick: | @gregpincus Good question. Lots of my faves have more of an invitation than mg. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | f_rancesca: | RT @ChrisRichman: Writing is easy, everyone. Just write one great sentence to begin, and follow it with 6,000 or so more. > Heh. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | amyknichols: | @rillajaggia Me, too!! Great opening line.  #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | LiaKeyes: | Also loved the opening of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | michellewitte: | @ChrisRichman You’re pulling our legs, aren’t you? It’s easy to write, yes, but not always easy to get it perfect. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | swdillard: | @gregpincus Yes, you have to really establish everything in that first image– look, tone, color etc. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | HilaryWagner1: | The Graveyard Book, that had a great opening! #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | PattyJMurphy: | Some say that the first line and the title can and should work together to set the stage so to speak. #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | marybrebner: | I know when I take students to library, many pick up book, look at cover, read 1st page & put it back if it doesn’t catch ‘em! #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | hatbooks: | but sometimes there seems to be such emphasis on strong beginnings that books have great openings then the pace slacks #kidlitchat |
| 8:14 pm | puddleduck6: | @puddleduck6 If the books opening grabs the child then he/she will be wanting more. #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @sarahockler Definitely hard, but makes us better writers to practice. #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | ktubb: | A favorite opening: the prologue to Water for Elephants *oh no she didn’t use the “p-word”!*  #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | Gwenda: | All right, lured over to #kidlitchat since I actually am rewriting my first chapter this week. |
| 8:15 pm | rillajaggia: | @amyknichols yay! a kindred spirit! #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | EngridE1: | @KatherineBoG Why pg 3? What makes that your breaking off point? #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | KateMessner: | WHEN YOU REACH ME by @rebstead has a brilliant 1st chapter – sets up the questions of the book so perfectly. #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | JessieHarrell: | @michellewitte me too – how can I push through something I don’t like when there’s so much GREAT stuff out? #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | kathleenfoucart: | When reading I don’t pay much attention to the first line; I want the rest of the story. #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | gregpincus: | The editors of the American Book Review picked their 100 best first lines of novels.http://bit.ly/PVN5m #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | susanwrites: | @mike_jung Yes, I think the maintaining that level for the rest of the book is the hard part. #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | ChrisRichman: | Yes, I should have warned that I kid. Of course writing isn’t that easy. I’m being annoyingly glib #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | amyknichols: | @PattyJMurphy That’s interesting. I hadn’t thought of that, but it makes sense. #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | DDHearn: | @gregpincus I think the problem has to be set up right away in a PB, which would include image too. Cover is important, too. #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | ninjajordyn: | Is it better for an opening to set up story or character in your opinion? #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | CherylRainfield: | RT @KatherineBoG Dont think its the first sentence that’s so crucial:its 1st 3 pgs.always willing to read past line 1, not pg 3 #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | SuePinto: | @DDHearn Yes, I have some great titles but haven’t moved past that yet. I don’t think you get paid much for a title though #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | sarahockler: | I struggle w openings. I always seem to overwrite by 40 pages, later cut in revisions. Guess it’s the warm up 40! #kidlitchat |
| 8:15 pm | mgbuehrlen: | RT @f_rancesca: I do believe though that some books need to start slow. Hooky first sentences can be deceptive. << Exactly! #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | PattyJMurphy: | HilaryWagner1:But Graveyard’s beginning was soooo scary. Put it down first and then went back after I put on my big girl pants. #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | KindrilyKaren: | @gavinobrown Thank u! I’ve sent to my CG but its a split vote. For different reasons. I know I have to decide but I luv both. #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | lyonmartin: | @gregpincus I think it depends on the genre. PB strong in first sentence. The longer the book the more space for a beginning #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | As far as great first lines, it’s hard to beat the classic Charlotte’s Web–Where’s daddy going with that ax? #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | dlschubert: | RT @ChrisRichman Writing is easy, everyone. Just write one great sentence to begin, and follow it with 6,000 or so more. #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | HilaryWagner1: | @ChrisRichman We love glib! #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | thaliachaltas: | Greg,I think PB is adifferent animal cuz of illust. – the illust have to grab you even by the cover! #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | susanwrites: | @mike_jung Beginnings are constantly reworked for agents, conferences, etc. Rest of book usually doesn’t get as many go throughs #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @ChrisRichman No worries here, your glibness amuses me #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @ninjajordyn Story, definitely. Through the story, we get to know the character. #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | bonnieadamson: | @DDHearn Oh, gosh–with pbs you have, live, five words to set everything up. #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | f_rancesca: | @ChrisRichman Ah yes, but it was a hook! #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | carolgrannick: | I don’t worry as much about beginnings as I used to, knowing it’s a warm-up – probably. #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | LiaKeyes: | I think it was during something like the thirteenth rewrite of the first chapter that Pullman came up with Lyra’s ‘daemon’. #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | HilaryWagner1: | @PattyJMurphy Ha, Ha! I think that’s why I loved it! I love creepy! #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | JennBailey: | Hey, folks! Finally able to join after 3 weeks of no show. Good to read everyone again. #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | ChrisRichman: | I call that Scooby Doo Syndrome, @sarahockler. It’s like when Scooby and Shaggy’s legs twirl for 10 seconds before they run #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | KateMessner: | @sarahockler I have a “warm-up 40″ too, Sarah (GIANNA Z. once had two more chapters at the beginning!) #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | CREvers: | @ninjajordyn I’d say both. You need the reader to care about your character, but you also have to prepare them for the story. #kidlitchat |
| 8:16 pm | KatherineBoG: | @EngridE1 Sometimes pg 3 sometimes pg 25… just depends on how much time I have & how cool the story seems #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | lchardesty: | @ninjajordyn I think character, but the plot has to kick in pretty quickly. #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | debbieohi: | @SuePinto @DDHearn I’m so bad at coming up with titles! #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | gregpincus: | @Gwenda Hee hee. Our evil plan to get you here has worked! #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | PattyJMurphy: | RT:CynthiaCWillis As far as great first lines, it’s hard to beat Charlotte’s Web–Where’s daddy going with that ax? #kidlitchat #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | rillajaggia: | @SuePinto Titles are very important though in the same way as a first line! I love working on titles! #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @PattyJMurphy LOL!!! #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | michellewitte: | @carolgrannick It is a warmup, but then you should go back later and revise like crazy to get it right. #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | catesfolly: | Nancie Atwell tells all her students never feel obligated to finish a book if it doesn’t grab you. Life short, too many books. #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | DDHearn: | Me too. That opening hooked me right away. RT @LiaKeyes: Also loved the opening of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | thaliachaltas: | @JennBailey Hi Jennnnn! Welcome! #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | JennBailey: | I think PBs have 2 audiences. The reader and the illustrator. Got to inspire that illustrator. #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | lynnekelly: | @debbieohi Here’s a link for HOOKED: Write Fiction that Grabs Readers at Page One & Never Lets Them Go http://bit.ly/HHHdg #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | dlschubert: | @ChrisRichman I was born in Brooklyn. I barely understand anything that’s not sprinkled with sarcasm. #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | CherylRainfield: | I don’t like coming up with titles, either. Or chapter heads! I just number mine. But the writing–that I love. #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | debbieohi: | @LiaKeyes Really?? (Pullman’s 13 rewrites to come with the daemon idea) I hadn’t realized that. Thanks for sharing that info. #kidlitchat |
| 8:17 pm | ktubb: | @ninjajordyn re:setting up story or character – I think you can do both, at the same time. #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | amyknichols: | @thaliachaltas I agree about PB covers (being a mom who picks a lot of books based on cover art). #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | swdillard: | @KateMessner Yes! I am always starting stories way before they need to be started, at least for the reader.. #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | bonnieadamson: | @rillajaggia Titles elude me: will leave that to editor! #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | sarahockler: | @KateMessner and I have @ChrisRichman ’s Scooby Doo Syndrome. lol #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | auntieflamingo: | I love coming up with titles! RT @debbieohi: @SuePinto @DDHearn Im so bad at coming up with titles! #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | f_rancesca: | @rillajaggia Titles, I’ll go with. I love me a good title. But I’ll happily give a book several pages before giving up. #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | EngridE1: | @CynthiaCWillis Which definitely exemplifies “Devil’s Kiss” #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | debbieohi: | RT @lynnekelly: HOOKED: Write Fiction that Grabs Readers at Page One & Never Lets Them Gohttp://bit.ly/HHHdg – Thank you! #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | gregpincus: | @ninjajordyn Or you can set up both character and story! #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | KatherineBoG: | And I hate to say it but covers: I have a bk in the store now that I know I have to read or it will NEVER sell. #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | KibaKiba: | Good beginnings R important but good middles R more so & the hardest part 2 navigate. Endings? Piece of cake-Wrap it up & end #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | bonnieadamson: | RT @lynnekelly: Heres a link for HOOKED: Write Fiction that Grabs Readers at Page One & Never Lets Them Go http://bit.ly/HHHdg #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | lyonmartin: | #kidlitchat @bonnieadamson Can’t you establish the MC in the action? |
| 8:18 pm | mike_jung: | @susanwrites Yeah, sounds right. You could also say “make it great right away!” or “don’t try to build up to the greatness!” #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | rarararach: | I am watching #kidlitchat tonight. |
| 8:18 pm | crissachappell: | @ChrisRichman …and the part where you fall off a cliff…and don’t realize it until later (cartoon logic) #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @JennBailey Good to see you back! #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | jeanie_w: | @debbieohi I have trouble with titles too. #kidlitchat |
| 8:18 pm | sarahockler: | One of my fave openings in YA – Catcher in the Rye. #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | LiaKeyes: | @debbieohi That scene with Lyra in the cupboard wouldn’t have been as strong without a companion to talk to – editing has merit! #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | thaliachaltas: | @crissachappell I am waiting for the anvil to fall. #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | EngridE1: | @KatherineBoG Understood. I do agree. #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | susanwrites: | @bonnieadamson Oh I can’t bear to have someone else title my stuff. Titles are very personal. I have to have one before I start. #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | sandara_bc: | RT@dlschubert @ChrisRichman Writing is easy… Just write one great sentence to begin, and follow it with 6,000 or so more. #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | ninjajordyn: | @jeanie_w I have huge trouble w/ titles. #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | CherylRainfield: | @KatherineBoG Oh yes, covers can affect sales or reads. A teen once told me she bought the book because of the cover #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | debbieohi: | @jeanie_w I used to think that titles weren’t important since they’d likely be changed, but now I realize they help sell a mss. #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | rillajaggia: | Yes That’s where stuff fails RT @KibaKiba: Good beginnings R important but good middles R more so & the hardest part 2 navigate #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | carolgrannick: | I honestly think all my favorite books have wonderful opening sentences. #kidlitchat |
| 8:19 pm | bonnieadamson: | @lyonmartin I think that’s the goal, but there must be room for MC’s reaction, to est. char, don’t you think? #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | thaliachaltas: | Love love love making up titles. They often aren’t the ones used, though. #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | swdillard: | @bonnieadamson for picture books, I need to know the title to get going, it is like naming a character- I have to know it. #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | JessieHarrell: | I think titles evolve from the author – I’d hate if mine was changed #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | debbieohi: | @LiaKeyes Definitely! Now I feel compelled to go investigate more about Pullman’s writing habits. I -loved- The Golden Compass. #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | HilaryWagner1: | @susanwrites Totally! That would really bug me! #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | kathleenfoucart: | I don’t do titles well- and since I’ve heard they’re very often changed, I don’t get attached to any. #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | rarararach: | @bonnieadamson @susanwrites I have to title my story before I write it I can’t write without having the perfect name for chars #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | rillajaggia: | @thaliachaltas What? Is there an anvil in the room? no one warned me. now there’s a great first line! #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | crissachappell: | @thaliachaltas It’s all good. You’ll be back on your feet in seconds. #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | michellewitte: | @debbieohi It definitely helps grab an agent’s attention when you have a great title, but in the end, it’s up to the publisher. #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | amyknichols: | @ninjajordyn I have title troubles, too. :-/ #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | DDHearn: | @JennBailey A good illustrator will be able to “See” the story in a way a reader might not, make it even richer. #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | thaliachaltas: | @JessieHarrell You do get used to the title they choose for you! Sigh… #kidlitchat |
| 8:20 pm | JennBailey: | RT @JessieHarrell: I think titles evolve from the author – Id hate if mine was changed Agree Agree! #kidlitchat |
| 8:21 pm | CherylRainfield: | Agreed. Don’t want sags RT @KibaKiba: Good beginnings R important but good middles R more so & the hardest part 2 navigate #kidlitchat |
| 8:21 pm | susanwrites: | @JessieHarrell I agree. I spend a long time coming up with right title. Knock on wood, so far I have been able to keep them all. #kidlitchat |
| 8:21 pm | auntieflamingo: | I’ll borrow from a book from the library based on the cover. There I admitted it #kidlitchat |
| 8:21 pm | dlschubert: | @JessieHarrell Titles are often changed before books go to publication. That’s part of the game. #kidlitchat |
| 8:21 pm | bonnieadamson: | @swdillard Interesting. I have to sketch MC. Must see to write story. #kidlitchat |
| 8:21 pm | rarararach: | So I lied. I’m participating in #kidlitchat. |
| 8:21 pm | susanwrites: | @rarararach Yep. I need the title and the character names have to feel just right before I can start too. #kidlitchat |
| 8:21 pm | thaliachaltas: | I use one-word working titles for each project, using a word that sums up the main character’s difficulty in the novel. #kidlitchat |
| 8:21 pm | elanaroth: | I’m late, but I’m here!! #kidlitchat |
| 8:21 pm | KatherineBoG: | @CherylRainfield I’m not so concerned w/ bks bought b/c of covers as bks not bought b/c of covers… so many not noticed #kidlitchat |
| 8:21 pm | LiaKeyes: | What specifics do you think need to be in a first chapter? #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | dosankodebbie: | lurking in #kidlitchat to glean ideas for better ways to rewrite Ainu folktales for English-speaking young readers Current topic: beginnings |
| 8:22 pm | DDHearn: | @KatherineBoG When I was a kid I wouldn’t read A Wrinkle In Time because of a really ugly cover. Kids DO judge books this way. #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | PattyJMurphy: | @gregpincus:I think you can introduce character+plot if you want.It’s up 2 u what u want the reader to chew on. Cookies r ready. #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | bonnieadamson: | @auntieflamingo As a book designer, I’m totally ok with that! #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | JessieHarrell: | I guess even Stephanie Meyer had to let her book get renamed (thank goodness!) #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | CherylRainfield: | I’m lucky that I got to keep my title for both books; I got attached to them (even tho I struggle to come up w titles) #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | WriterRoss: | #kidlitchat I’m late but I’m not sure that I’m here. <g> |
| 8:22 pm | cheriwilliams: | Paraphrasing: Beginnings sell a book. Endings sell the next book. Middle better be good or no one will make it to the end. #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | jeanie_w: | @debbieohi I just changed the title of a novel I’ve been querying (unsuccessfully). New title changes emphasis to characters. #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | EngridE1: | @bonnieadamson Don’t have your talent…I need to look at images online & download pix of people to visualize MC #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | dlschubert: | @elanaroth Welcome, Elana! Nice to see you. #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | JennBailey: | @elanaroth Great to see you! I was late too. Shhh. #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | sandyalonzo: | Changing titles is part of being an author. You have to be flexible. #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | rillajaggia: | @elanaroth Hey there, great to have you here. missed you last week. #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | merylevans: | @DDHearn Me, too! I finally read it as an adult and loved it. Same with Phantom Tollbooth. #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | bonnieadamson: | @elanaroth Hello! What makes a good beginning for you? #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | rarararach: | @JessieHarrell What was SMeyer’s original title for Twilight? Am curious! #kidlitchat |
| 8:22 pm | ktubb: | RT @KatherineBoG: Im not so concerned w/ bks bought b/c of covers as bks not bought b/c of covers… so many not noticed #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | amyknichols: | @JessieHarrell Do you know what the original title was? #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | jeanie_w: | @elanaroth Hi Elana! Thanks for coming. #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | mgbuehrlen: | If book covers weren’t important, every book would be bound the same. To some extent, we all judge a book by its cover. #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | gregpincus: | I agree middles are hard, but list me some successful books with lousy, un-hooking, non-compelling starts #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | HilaryWagner1: | @susanwrites I get to keep mine, at least with my 1st book, so very happy about that. Like you said, so personal for a writer! #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | debbieohi: | @WriterRoss Welcome! I see you in chat, no worries. #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | KindrilyKaren: | Two beginnings diverged in a wood, and I?, I could not decide which would make all the difference. #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | CherylRainfield: | @KatherineBoG: Yes–very sad when a book isn’t bought bc of the cover…. Marketing seems so important #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | lyonmartin: | RT @gregpincus: Do picture books rely as strongly on this? Is the first IMAGE as important? #kidlitchat ABSOLUTELY. |
| 8:23 pm | JessieHarrell: | @rarararach Forks #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | Georgia_McBride: | A great begining rocks. Telling a mini “new” story in each chapter, w/ a new great first line, middle + cliffhanger is harder. #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | debbieohi: | @elanaroth Welcome! #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | HeleneBoudreau: | I believe it was FORKS RT @rarararach: @JessieHarrell What was SMeyers original title for Twilight? Am curious! #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | DDHearn: | Can’t action in the story be an interior struggle the MC is having? Doesn’t always have to be a car chase. #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | leewind: | @cheriwilliams I like that about endings sell the next book, but I don’t always love the 1st ch. of next book at end… #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | rillajaggia: | @mgbuehrlen yes! books covers are especially important to teens! #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | elanaroth: | Good beginning: a combination of action and voice. Give me some plot movement right away, and character’s thoughts on the go. #kidlitchat |
| 8:23 pm | JennBailey: | I’m currently changing a title for my WIP. I know my title I gave it will not appeal to boys and the book is for boys. *sigh* #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | michellewitte: | @LiaKeyes A first chapter should set the tone for the story: setting, main character, voice. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | JessieHarrell: | @amyknichols the orig title was “Forks” #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | thebookbarr: | I feel confident with titles & openings, but I get anxious about the conclusion, anxious about letting let down the reader… #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | StephanieFeagan: | @JessieHarrell Forks??? For realz? #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | MitaliWrites: | What is the best book guide to writing picture books? #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | dlschubert: | I love coming up w/titles. It’s the other 70K words that give me pause. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | mike_jung: | The beginning’s gotta be strong, of course, but If the story fizzles out at ANY point you’re in trouble, right? #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | f_rancesca: | @gregpincus The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, for example. Nothing happens for pages. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | LaurelSnyder: | @gregpincus I don’t know if I’d say “lousy” but the beginning to Cold Moutain couldn’t be more boring. Angle of Repose too. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | rillajaggia: | @mgbuehrlen Lots of ‘old’ books are getting a new life by having their cover updated, from what i’ve read. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | amyknichols: | @HeleneBoudreau Forks?! Yeah. Maybe letting the Eds. retitle is a good thing. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | thaliachaltas: | So true! RT @f_rancesca: @gregpincus The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, for example. Nothing happens for pages. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | KatherineBoG: | @CherylRainfield That;s why us bksellers are here… to sell the things that ought to be sold… #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | jlbellwriter: | .@hatbooks Openings might be strongest part of some books because writers and editors spend extra time on those. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | MitaliWrites: | This is me, @mitaliperkins, but I’m using @mitaliwrites for these chats. Taking a cue from @inkyelbows. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | elanaroth: | Title tidbit: CANDOR (which released today) was not the original title. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | catesfolly: | I fear the days of the gradual beginning are over. #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | gavinobrown: | @JessieHarrell Was the sequel going to be “spoons?” #kidlitchat |
| 8:24 pm | leewind: | @JessieHarrell really? Twilight had been called “Forks?” Was the sequel “Spoons?” LOL! #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | debbieohi: | RT @elanaroth: Good beginning:combination of action and voice. Give me plot movement right away,& characters thoughts on the go. #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | rarararach: | RT @dlschubert: I love coming up w/titles. It’s the other 70K words that give me pause. ..ME TOO!!! #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | CherylRainfield: | Yes! RT @elanaroth: Good beginning: combo of action & voice. Give me some plot movement & characters thoughts on the go. #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | jeanie_w: | @gregpincus I have actually struggled more with beginnings than middles. #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | sandyalonzo: | @mike jung Exactly. No fizzling out! #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @rillajaggia Yeah, look at what happens when a book is made into a film. The cover is the first to change. #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | DDHearn: | @thaliachaltas I would prefer to choose my title, but if an editor came up with a better one I’d be ok. #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | carolgrannick: | @MitaliWrites New book by Anne Whitford Paul WD Books, WRITING PICTURE BOOKS – fabulous! #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | MitaliWrites: | Humor in the first chapter. Make me laugh, or smile, and I’ll keep reading. #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | thaliachaltas: | @leewind Hi Lee! #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | gavinobrown: | @mike_jung Most publishers will allow you to space out from pages 138-139. Otherwise, yeah. #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | CherylRainfield: | @KatherineBoG: Yes; we need you! Booksellers, librarians, readers…other writers! #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | HeleneBoudreau: | @amyknichols Well, she’d be okay for three books (Forks, Knives, Spoons) but then what would she do for the 4th? #kidlitchat |
| 8:25 pm | kathleenfoucart: | I’d love for someone to suggest titles to me- other readers see things in the text I might not b/c I’m too close. #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | rillajaggia: | @MitaliWrites Hi! Didn’t recognize you! Great to see you. #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | jlbellwriter: | Does the title ever change later? RT @swdillard: for picture books, I need to know the title to get going. #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @gavinobrown Too funny! #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | bonnieadamson: | @MitaliWrites Uri Shulevitz, WRITING WITH PICTURES #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | catesfolly: | @LaurelSnyder Cold Mountain and Angle of Repose two of my favorite books. Maybe different standards for beginning kids’ books? #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | ChrisRichman: | With submissions, titles only jump out to me when they’re really good or really bad. #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | gregpincus: | @f_rancesca The funny thing is… I could never read those books because I was b.o.r.e.d. #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | LiaKeyes: | What did you all think of the opening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone? #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | amyknichols: | @HeleneBoudreau Sporks! (She takes a SciFi bent) #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | thaliachaltas: | @DDHearn You’d be okay no matter what they chose for a title. I seem to be okay now. Ha ha! #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | JennBailey: | Love the new covers for the Artemis Fowl series. Definitely borrowing from the Graphic Novel feel. #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | HilaryWagner1: | @MitaliWrites Yes, I love comedy in the opening or just plain creepy. Both grab me, but good! #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @jeanie_w yes, me, too. The beginnings are so important to me. #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | swdillard: | @jeanie_w I have the hardest times with endings– In PB’s especially the ending has to be as strong as the beginning I think. #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | rillajaggia: | @MitaliWrites you always want humor in the first page? even if it’s really serious book? #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | f_rancesca: | @mgbuehrlen @rillajaggia When a book gets the film cover, I get crabby. I like books distinct from films. #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | mgbuehrlen: | The thing that snags me in the beginning is where the author places me. Do I want to stay there or make a run for the door? #kidlitchat |
| 8:26 pm | MitaliWrites: | @carolgrannick Thanks so much. I will get it. I want to try my hand at picture books. #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | dlschubert: | RT @elanaroth Good beginning combination of action & voice. Give some plot movement right away & character’s thoughts on the go #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | gregpincus: | LOL RT @KindrilyKaren: Two beginnings diverged in a wood, and I?, I could not decide which would make all the difference. #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | DDHearn: | What was original title? RT @JessieHarrell: I guess even Stephanie Meyer had to let her book get renamed (thank goodness!) #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | elanaroth: | Ditto @ChrisRichman. A great title might make me look closer. #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | rarararach: | @JennBailey Really? I don’t like the new Artemis covers… I prefer the old ones! #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @LiaKeyes I can quote the first line of HP & SS off the top of my head- LOVE it. #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | KatherineBoG: | I’ll say it again as a bookseller: I watch kids look at cover, then pick up then read 1st 2 pgs. Not 1st line imprtnt.1st 2 pgs. #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | catesfolly: | I think the VOICE (of author or MC) is still want grabs or doesn’t grab me in the first pages, more than action or problem. #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | marcie8: | I’m happy with any emotional response @MitaliWrites Humor in the first chapter. Make me laugh, or smile, and I’ll keep reading. #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @gregpincus Gah! Say it ain’t so! Re: Lion, Witch, Wardrobe #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | kathleenfoucart: | @DDHearn Forks, after the town #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | amyknichols: | @f_rancesca Me, too! Feels like a sell-out or something. (Which is just silly, really.) #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | PattyJMurphy: | @MitaliWrites Need to read picture books…absorb them…and lots of them:) That’s the best teacher. #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | RuthanneReid: | @dlschubert Heh, titles are harder for me than anything else. #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | MitaliWrites: | @rillajaggia No, not if it’s serious. But a funny voice will grab me from the get-go and keep me reading. #kidlitchat |
| 8:27 pm | f_rancesca: | @gregpincus Whereas I loved and love them and have read them dozens of times. Atmosphere IS hook for me. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | debbieohi: | @michellewitte Agreed re: title being up to publisher. But I’d like to max. my story’s chances. Editor at SCBWI said it helps. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | elanaroth: | But I’ve never NOT signed a book because of a bad title. I have retitled almost ALL my clients’ books. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | JessieHarrell: | @swdillard agree PB endings must be strong – reading 1 now that just stops tho rest of book good. frustrating #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | thaliachaltas: | My editor had a great question: “Why is your main character starting her story HERE?” Very important to the opening. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | jeanie_w: | @swdillard In PBs each word carries a huge amount of weight. Like in poetry. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | michellewitte: | @catesfolly Kids books have to grab attention immediately. Adults have more patience than kids. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @f_rancesca Me too! Someone gave me the mass paperback film cover version of Pride & Prejudice. Blasphemy! #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | merylevans: | @MitaliWrites Great! Glad to see more people taking on chat identities. My main ID is @merylkevans. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | bonniedoerr: | #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | RuthanneReid: | LOL RT @KindrilyKaren: Two beginnings diverged in a wood, and I?, I could not decide which would make all the difference. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @f_rancesca Even though I loved the film. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | LiaKeyes: | Many kids found the opening chapter of HP and the Sorcerer’s Stone “soooo borrrring!” #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | gregpincus: | @elanaroth what was the original title of CANDOR? #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | bonnieadamson: | RT @elanaroth: But Ive never NOT signed a book because of a bad title. I have retitled almost ALL my clients books. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | DDHearn: | @rillajaggia Yes, and all the new covers for old MG and YA books are using photography. Bad news for us illustrators. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | ktubb: | RT @catesfolly: I think the VOICE is still what grabs or doesnt grab me in the first pages… <<me too #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | HilaryWagner1: | @Joyce_Lansky I meant only if they might rep you. I can’t imagine an agent not reading the whole MS & giving an offer to rep. #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | KatherineBoG: | But sadly, yes, it is the cover that gets it picked up in the first place… (or a bookseller) #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | MitaliWrites: | @PattyJMurphy I’ve read plenty of picture books. But whenever I start writing one an editor tells me “It’s a novel.” #kidlitchat |
| 8:28 pm | thaliachaltas: | So why can I write poetry but not PB??! RT @jeanie_w: @swdillard In PBs each word carrieshuge amount of weight. Like in poetry. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | michellewitte: | @debbieohi Oh, it definitely does help, but it’s best not to get too attached to a title in case it gets changed. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | leewind: | #kidlitchat I’ve always loved the opening to Bond movies – but they get to start with action b/c we all KNOW who he is and who to root for. |
| 8:29 pm | PattyJMurphy: | Yes! RT jeanie_w @swdillard In PBs each word carries a huge amount of weight. Like in poetry. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | rillajaggia: | @MitaliWrites I was thinking of the beginning of Jellicoe Road.Nothing funny about it at all, but it sure grabbed me and held on #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | dlschubert: | @elanaroth @ChrisRichman Makes sense. That and the cover art are what make me pick up a book or not in a book store. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | CynthiaCWillis: | @RuthanneReid Me, too! I HATE coming up with titles. Way too painful. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | amyknichols: | @jeanie_w I have such admiration for PB writers for that very reason. Every. Single. Word. Carries. Weight. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | TaraLazar: | @swdillard I love when an ending is a new beginning in a picture book. We get to imagine a new story beyond the book. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | StephanieFeagan: | Great title, really old book – My Darling, My Hamburger #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | elanaroth: | @gregpincus Well, @peripam isn’t here to stop me but…the original title of CANDOR was…WHISPERFIGHT. Yes, I know. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | f_rancesca: | @mgbuehrlen Hee hee, me too. But I still ransack the shelves for the book without the movie cover. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | ChrisRichman: | Even talking about it is a bit of a cliche, but I really don’t like openings with a character waking up. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | lyonmartin: | RT @f_rancesca: @gregpincus The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, for example. Nothing happens for pages. #kidlitchat And it’s boring! LOL |
| 8:29 pm | debbieohi: | RT @elanaroth: I’ve never NOT signed a book because of a bad title. I have retitled almost ALL my clients books. #kidlitchat |
| 8:29 pm | rillajaggia: | @DDHearn yes! the photographs thing with covers is big, isn’t it. still need designers! #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | leewind: | #kidlitchat In books, if we don’t care about the characters first, all the action in the world is boring |
| 8:30 pm | f_rancesca: | @leewind Interesting about Bond movies is that opening often has little to do with the film that follows. It’s like a prologue. #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | EngridE1: | RT @KatherineBoG Ill say it again as a bkseller I watch kids lk at cover then pick up & read 1st 2 pgs Not 1st line imprtnt 2pgs #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | swdillard: | @TaraLazar Yes, and maybe writing them that way can ensure another book in our future?!?! #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | amyknichols: | @elanaroth Not having read the book, that title just sounds strange. ??? #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | gregpincus: | I second this as a great book on writing PBs RT @bonnieadamson: @Uri Shulevitz, WRITING WITH PICTURES #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | rarararach: | @ChrisRichman Neither do I. I also hate the dream sequence opening as well. Or is that what you meant? #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | michellewitte: | @ChrisRichman There are a lot of openings that are overdone and people should avoid. Dream openings are a biggie. #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | KateMessner: | @elanaroth What was the original title for CANDOR? (Loved that book, btw!) #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | gavinobrown: | I hate reading books with ugly covers. It’s like ugly websites–almost painful. Does that make me a shallow, vapid person? #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | DDHearn: | @HeleneBoudreau Funny, but I had trouble making sense of the titles of the Twilight books. Intriguing, but didn’t reflect story. #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | JessieHarrell: | RT @ChrisRichman Even talking about it is a bit of a cliche, but I really don’t like openings with a character waking up #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | leewind: | #kidlitchat @chrisrichman well yeah, we want to come in in the MIDDLE of stuff happening, right? Waking up is boring! |
| 8:30 pm | f_rancesca: | @lyonmartin Ooooh hush your mouth! Have read it dozens of times. Adore it! #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | elanaroth: | @amyknichols Precisely. That reaction is why it got retitled. #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | rillajaggia: | I agree. RT @leewind: In books, if we dont care about the characters first, all the action in the world is boring #kidlitchat |
| 8:30 pm | mgbuehrlen: | The opening to Out of the Silent Planet is my fave. Stepping out from under a tree after a rain shower at dusk did it for me. #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | jeanie_w: | RT @leewind: #kidlitchat In books, if we don’t care about the characters first, all the action in the world is boring |
| 8:31 pm | debbieohi: | @michellewitte I never get attached to any of my titles. I usually hope they’re changed. #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | crissachappell: | My students’ fave opening = “She woke up.” #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | KindrilyKaren: | I’m ok with an agent or pub wanting to change my title. They are pros cuz they know what sells. Let ‘em do their job! #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | susanwrites: | RT @thaliachaltas My editor had great question: “Why is your main character starting her story HERE?” Very important to opening #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | elanaroth: | @KateMessner WHISPERFIGHT. #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | ktubb: | RT @ChrisRichman: but I really dont like openings with a character waking up << how about out of a coma? #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | PattyJMurphy: | @leewind RT:In books, if we don’t care about the characters first, all the action in the world is boring<It’s ALL about caring> #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | thebookbarr: | I’ve always thought that Rumble Fish was one of the best YA titles. Retro, I know. #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | bonnieadamson: | @ChrisRichman–I learned a lot from your podcast on openings: who mentioned TV show Cheers? #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | rillajaggia: | @michellewitte I’m not big on dreams either. #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | f_rancesca: | @gavinobrown Yes, but me too. A book can be a beautiful object as well as satsifying read. Both, preferably. #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | JessieHarrell: | @DDHearn I think the word “Twilight” was used 1x in the story and it seemed forced. #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | CherylRainfield: | RT @elanaroth: But Ive never NOT signed a book because of a bad title. I have retitled almost ALL my clients books. #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | debbieohi: | @michellewitte Do you usually end up changing titles of the non-fiction books you edit? #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | mgbuehrlen: | @f_rancesca Oh, if I buy a classic it has to be leather bound, gilt lettering all the way. I’m a mad collector! #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | ttaylormmarie: | #kidlitchat is picky |
| 8:31 pm | gregpincus: | @elanaroth Candor is a better title. And congrats to all of y’all involved on its release today, btw! #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | SherriePetersen: | @mgbuehrlen I’d forgotten about that book. It’s brilliant. #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | crissachappell: | I’m like, Who is she? And why do I care that she woke up? Then they say, “You’ll see later.” #kidlitchat |
| 8:31 pm | sandyalonzo: | What about books with different covers on the second printing? |
Please click here for part two of the transcript.
