tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post5942751126857030784..comments2024-03-25T17:56:01.825-04:00Comments on Insecure Writer's Support Group: The Indiana Jones Rule by Author Eileen DreyerAlex J. Cavanaughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-66526605462987090902018-08-01T07:02:19.368-04:002018-08-01T07:02:19.368-04:00Yes. I still have this problem. I find the easie...Yes. I still have this problem. I find the easiest way is to write those three chapters, finish the book, then throw the first three chapters away. And still I don't... not always (sigh)<br />Jemima Petthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17110647375899927233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-65537087554802021412018-07-29T14:48:03.878-04:002018-07-29T14:48:03.878-04:00Kill your darlings. We're wordsmiths so of cou...Kill your darlings. We're wordsmiths so of course we want to impress the reader with our scenes and characters painting them with words so the reader will get it. BUT, you are right on about the narrative gets boring with too many colors or perhaps too gaudy! LOL..Great advice. Thanks for sharing.<br /><a href="http://jqrose.com" rel="nofollow">JQ Rose</a>J.Q. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04710790553616621103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-23925596846143967442018-07-29T02:59:35.453-04:002018-07-29T02:59:35.453-04:00I have read many many books that started straight ...I have read many many books that started straight into the action; and I had no interest in the character. I think there is a very fine line between action to hook a reader into the action, and action that says something important about the character, and how that character's action sets up the rest of the story.<br /><br />For me, action for the sake of action doesn't hook me to a character. I'm pretty weird in that sentiment though. Most of todays readers emphasize with the first character that is in danger. Sometimes this gimmick works for me, as a reader, but many times it does not.<br /><br />As with the Indie reference, at least when the action is all over, and he returns to his mild mannered world of teaching, it is quickly related that he is an active field archaeologist, which is interfering with his professorship. I've read too many books that "hook" a reader with intriguing action, and then spend the next fifty pages with introspection, angst, and denial of the overall story plot.<br /><br />A delicate balance to "hook" the reader with action and character and world development, and to continue that initial intrigue with the rest of the story.<br /><br />Congrats on fulfilling that requirement with all your successful books.dolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-82470628276435968892018-07-27T10:55:54.858-04:002018-07-27T10:55:54.858-04:00Great advice! In my first draft the story didn'...Great advice! In my first draft the story didn't "begin" till chapter 6 (ouch!) Starting the action earlier has made all the difference in draft two.AnnDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13402752915468156368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-33534513534527147002018-07-27T10:00:27.511-04:002018-07-27T10:00:27.511-04:00You nailed! I always have to remind...get to the ...You nailed! I always have to remind...get to the point a.k.a hook!Karen Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01522178275164058849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-87780582721394804032018-07-26T00:26:34.493-04:002018-07-26T00:26:34.493-04:00"Throw it out!" Three of the most diffi..."Throw it out!" Three of the most difficult words for an author to hear, but oh so helpful. Loved your post and it resonated with me like crazy.cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-10435983981950365912018-07-25T21:40:29.920-04:002018-07-25T21:40:29.920-04:00Good stuff. We all slam movies for the writing but...Good stuff. We all slam movies for the writing but there is a masterclass in doing BIG things in with tiny opportunities. Thanks for sharing this.EliasMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15001582934570664540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-87450444487180242472018-07-25T13:17:03.519-04:002018-07-25T13:17:03.519-04:00Good advice!I don't like films that start with...Good advice!I don't like films that start with action and you don't know what's going on. James Bond did that once but if I know what's going on I'm happyJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02072755892521334985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-34802366197650265232018-07-25T10:24:03.844-04:002018-07-25T10:24:03.844-04:00I've learned that lesson. An editor once had m...I've learned that lesson. An editor once had me redo my opening four times until I started in the right spot. I still have to cut out the start lots of the time.Susan Gourley/Kelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02669793865290876168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-26577245789001646242018-07-25T03:04:54.687-04:002018-07-25T03:04:54.687-04:00Buenas películas... un saludo desde Murcia... feli...Buenas películas... un saludo desde Murcia... feliz verano.alphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04116350516637094232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-9885545623181429092018-07-24T19:29:32.829-04:002018-07-24T19:29:32.829-04:00In HS I had an idea for a 'future world' r...In HS I had an idea for a 'future world' rediscovering the past. But found myself so wound up with the ins and outs that it never got written. Yep start with a problem right away and explain as you go, where it fits. Gives the reader something to think about. Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14217649175025066003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-2387735824314749092018-07-24T10:27:39.382-04:002018-07-24T10:27:39.382-04:00Excellent examples. Thank you.Excellent examples. Thank you.Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089502829581772836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-82308183584991985272018-07-23T21:53:15.086-04:002018-07-23T21:53:15.086-04:00A very informative post Eileen. Yes, those early c...A very informative post Eileen. Yes, those early chapters can be writers telling themselves the story. Thank you.Denise Covey https://www.blogger.com/profile/07106490051555233439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-15662670639081690242018-07-23T16:03:57.097-04:002018-07-23T16:03:57.097-04:00he he, the story starts on chapter three. Yep, tha...he he, the story starts on chapter three. Yep, that happened to me. Twice. Good to know I'm not alone.JEN Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11223454346963493011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-20604022534607282472018-07-23T16:03:02.644-04:002018-07-23T16:03:02.644-04:00Love the tips you've shared with us today! I p...Love the tips you've shared with us today! I plan to put the first one to use on my current WIP. <br />Thanks for sharing!Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-83876329008767493682018-07-23T15:27:37.513-04:002018-07-23T15:27:37.513-04:00Caring is a wonderful thing to do, although it is ...Caring is a wonderful thing to do, although it is not always given back when needed, enjoyed the post,<br /><br />Yvonne.<br /><br />nashvillecats2https://www.blogger.com/profile/02326956741209246895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-74662799217212072422018-07-23T14:42:50.744-04:002018-07-23T14:42:50.744-04:00Great post!
HeatherGreat post!<br />HeatherHeather M. Gardnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07232419331422866247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-81112059969439818092018-07-23T12:32:46.466-04:002018-07-23T12:32:46.466-04:00Great post. Really enjoy the examples of what did...Great post. Really enjoy the examples of what did not work and what did. Juneta keyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08815758043024184034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-38929606534138429302018-07-23T12:03:17.447-04:002018-07-23T12:03:17.447-04:00Awesome insight! I luv "peppering the stew.&q...Awesome insight! I luv "peppering the stew." I think this is what's so hard to grasp when we're newer writers--that it's ok to throw out that getting to know the MC part. I also like to use movies to gauge where to start the action. It's really clever storytelling. Thanks for the great reminder here!Betsey Grace Grooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14857266241579547412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-49667447059728064792018-07-23T07:23:11.562-04:002018-07-23T07:23:11.562-04:00We need to care but we need a reason TO care, whic...We need to care but we need a reason TO care, which is where that action comes in. And the sooner the better.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-62068320271017533972018-07-23T05:35:43.701-04:002018-07-23T05:35:43.701-04:00Great way to look at it indeed. Sprinkle it in lat...Great way to look at it indeed. Sprinkle it in later and get right to it.Pat Hatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07745293224202430152noreply@blogger.com