tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815891608238329810.post1767043750700009263..comments2023-10-30T04:46:19.897-07:00Comments on Adventures That Score!: Writing Workshop Session 1 - Children's Picture and Chapter BooksAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00694966948181862580noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815891608238329810.post-26671245184612887032011-01-14T09:08:26.113-08:002011-01-14T09:08:26.113-08:00I have a whole collection of first chapters I wrot...I have a whole collection of first chapters I wrote that didn't go anywhere because the setup was a situation rather than a story. If A happened, then the story was over; if B happened, then the story was over, and there was no option C. In essence, there was no problem -- only a single event that led nowhere. Developing the problem -- the "why" behind the event -- made all the difference.<br /><br />Good luck with the workshop!Leigh Michaelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09617514121082832431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815891608238329810.post-81284022366874280702011-01-14T08:21:03.976-08:002011-01-14T08:21:03.976-08:00Sounds like an exceptional workshop, Kris! And you...Sounds like an exceptional workshop, Kris! And you're absolutely right, even though we must always keep our audience in mind, these concepts are as essential to writing for adults as for children. There must be a central story question and a beginning, middle and end. Even though I'm an inveterate pantser, I always start out with an overarching question. I may not know the answer at the outset, but it's what guides me along the path.<br /><br />Looking for to The Hook!VR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815891608238329810.post-56998423197509026712011-01-14T07:17:15.889-08:002011-01-14T07:17:15.889-08:00Thanks for stopping by Clarissa. I plan to post be...Thanks for stopping by Clarissa. I plan to post before next Thursday. Posting on the same day as the workshop is a bit tight!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00694966948181862580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815891608238329810.post-44792137938011962062011-01-14T07:16:31.983-08:002011-01-14T07:16:31.983-08:00Donna, I've even told participants to print ou...Donna, I've even told participants to print out their story question/problem and post it where they can see it while writing. It's a good reminder to stay on course.<br />Thanks for stopping by!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00694966948181862580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815891608238329810.post-26633588410229242602011-01-14T07:15:38.136-08:002011-01-14T07:15:38.136-08:00Taryn, Thanks for stopping by and sharing your wis...Taryn, Thanks for stopping by and sharing your wisdom on the elusive Hook. I'll give you my take on it next time. :)<br /><br />Audience is something we spoke about in detail last night. Authors always need to keep in mind their audience when they are dealing with word choice, setting, dialogue, action vs. narrative, ... so many things. And yes, if the character, dialogue, action, WHATEVER is NOT moving the story forward, get rid of it. I touched on that subject a bit last night, and their eyes got really big. Authors don't like to cut out characters, but sometimes you have to.<br />Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00694966948181862580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815891608238329810.post-29988420516291659662011-01-14T07:00:36.631-08:002011-01-14T07:00:36.631-08:00Great post, Kris. I can't wait to see the post...Great post, Kris. I can't wait to see the post on the hook. :)Clarissa Southwickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07999713155443152791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815891608238329810.post-31209184655270499402011-01-14T06:42:51.503-08:002011-01-14T06:42:51.503-08:00Kris, this is really helpful info. I bet you have ...Kris, this is really helpful info. I bet you have a lot of happy workshop participants as a result!<br /><br />I like thinking about the story question -- it helps me to clarify what it is I'm trying to do, and keeps me on track when my characters see a shiny object they want to check out instead of heading down the path they're on. LOL<br /><br />Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />DonnaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1815891608238329810.post-85286127275536613322011-01-14T06:28:08.798-08:002011-01-14T06:28:08.798-08:00Great post, Kris!
These are all very valuable poi...Great post, Kris!<br /><br />These are all very valuable points for making a story both believable and interesting for the reader from the beginning to the end. <br /><br />The hook is an imperative part of creating a story. First, you want to make the reader interested in finding out the solution to the main character's problem. In other words, if your hook is not intriguing, no one is going to want to invest the time in your characters because they either don't relate to the main character's problem or the problem is so trivial that it's not worth reading on.<br /><br />While brainstorming hooks for my stories, I have to keep in mind who my audience is (YA readers). Is this a hook or subject that YA readers will care about? Then comes my ability to make my characters' actions, dialogue, etc. believable, so that my readers can relate. <br /><br />The story must ALWAYS continue forward, working toward the main character's goal and keeping the reader questioning along the way. <br /><br />This is what I look for in a book when I'm reading and writing. <br /><br />Thanks for letting me share my thoughts :)<br />T.H. BrowningTaryn Browninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04721540555433372451noreply@blogger.com