tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21790035.post4969490513018975925..comments2024-02-13T09:38:07.389-05:00Comments on Carrie's Procrastinatory Outlet: First lines and whatnotCarrie Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13751498516235657725noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21790035.post-90952412813950932562009-02-08T12:01:00.000-05:002009-02-08T12:01:00.000-05:00I've definitely been known to email myself stuff v...I've definitely been known to email myself stuff via cb (or use the Notes app to actually type stuff in if I'm reeeally desperate). Viva technology!Erica Ridleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05511276393455961757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21790035.post-62680462052340025022009-02-06T09:41:00.000-05:002009-02-06T09:41:00.000-05:00Good point Okie -- what's interesting is that I re...Good point Okie -- what's interesting is that I realized how important the first line is to me when I was writing promo material for FHT -- interesting that you compare it to writing formal papers because I totally agree (and I used to do the same -- go back and change it once I finished the paper).<BR/><BR/>Beth -- I'll be curious to see if I get to keep my first line from Book 2 - we're still in revisions!<BR/><BR/>Samantha - you're totally right, those create completely different tones! The second one is really evocative!<BR/><BR/>Patrick -- I remember when Erica posted her first and last lines. I thought about doing the same but a lot of mine are spoilers!<BR/><BR/>Good luck with the line hunting Jill!!Carrie Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13751498516235657725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21790035.post-30834841485672471342009-02-05T22:01:00.000-05:002009-02-05T22:01:00.000-05:00I find that the first line and last line of each s...I find that the first line and last line of each scene/chapter are hugely important. I've even gone through books only reading those two lines of each chapter.<BR/><BR/>They are hooks. There is a trick/skill to them.Patrick Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01121337008453549441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21790035.post-79643993138495916852009-02-05T16:26:00.000-05:002009-02-05T16:26:00.000-05:00I know what you mean about the first line, even if...I know what you mean about the first line, even if I don't need -the- line to start. What happened with the book I'm currently shopping was that I started it and then realized that the actual first line was a page in. So I cut the first page.<BR/><BR/>The original first line set a much different tone than the One.<BR/><BR/>In case you were wondering:<BR/><BR/>v1: I like to think of myself as an original.<BR/><BR/>v2: When I returned to Anjidia, I was naked (save for the towel that was vainly trying to shield me from the biting wind), standing in ankle deep mud, and being drizzled on.Samantha Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02936997985968728006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21790035.post-90740163462960896272009-02-05T16:25:00.000-05:002009-02-05T16:25:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Samantha Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02936997985968728006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21790035.post-5392164221212175932009-02-05T14:29:00.000-05:002009-02-05T14:29:00.000-05:00Hmm. I think I need a new first line.Hmm. I think I need a new first line.Jill Wheelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15059527254551768150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21790035.post-16013407005490446402009-02-05T13:53:00.000-05:002009-02-05T13:53:00.000-05:00While I have had some of those amazing Aha! moment...While I have had some of those amazing Aha! moments where a first line developed, to be honest...<BR/><BR/>...every single first line I ever wrote (with one significant exception) changed. Rewrites killed them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11431700962951592287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21790035.post-38896184836928231292009-02-05T11:44:00.000-05:002009-02-05T11:44:00.000-05:00I both relate and don't. For me, I love having a ...I both relate and don't. For me, I love having a good entry point and sometimes deliberate a bit...but really, my best tactic is just to jump in with both feet and let the writing go go go. The words take on a life of their own the more I get going. Once I really get on a roll and the story starts to take shape, then I'll turn back and often come up with a much better opening than if I'd stared blankly at it for a while.<BR/><BR/>The one place this is absolutely not true is when (as I'll be doing this weekend) I have to write an essay or other formal paper. In those cases, it really takes a good opening to get me on a roll. I usually change the opening once I read the final paper, but without a good opening, I can't get my thoughts organized to even dive in.Okiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01393689307300304035noreply@blogger.com