tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post7504407443166523459..comments2024-01-15T19:42:35.437-08:00Comments on The Secret Archives of the Alliterati: BeginningsMatthew Delmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11452378192874048547noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-33862487716915037052010-04-03T13:48:02.776-07:002010-04-03T13:48:02.776-07:00I an an ender, for sure. I usually know the end o...I an an ender, for sure. I usually know the end of my books and stories -- or at least how the major climax resolves, if not what the final scene looks like -- before I even start working on the piece. Everything else I write is just pushing toward that end scene that keeps replaying through my brain.<br /><br />I have a harder time with beginnings. I understand and agree with the three points Bell makes, but for whatever reason I just tend to ramble too much in the beginning.Libbie H.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16366896974551157202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-62087618902530667342010-04-01T17:04:43.427-07:002010-04-01T17:04:43.427-07:00Great post! I think I'm best at endings. :)Great post! I think I'm best at endings. :)Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-25467245478038013972010-04-01T15:13:32.213-07:002010-04-01T15:13:32.213-07:00Beginnings are the worst for me. I've had sev...Beginnings are the worst for me. I've had several for my first book, and haven't been happy with any of them. I've introduced my character, set the tone. The opposition is internal, so I'm not sure I've introduced that well, and so I'm not sure people will keep reading past the first chapter.<br /><br />Once I get going, however, I think I do pretty well at the middle and definitely have decent endings. My writing starts with an ending, so I don't struggle with that.<br /><br />Thanks for the book reference, and the advice. It will help me.<br /><br />.......dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-32589904865077581862010-04-01T10:38:01.162-07:002010-04-01T10:38:01.162-07:00Erica- I often end up chopping my beginnings, but...Erica- I often end up chopping my beginnings, but I don't have a hard time starting them. But around 100 pages I get totally lost.<br /><br />Matt- You're definitely right- you don't have to introduce all the antagonists up front. That could be overwhelming!<br /><br />Jemi- I did that too. Fun for me, not so much fun for readers.<br /><br />Amalia- I always seem to know my endings early on and just can't wait to get there and write THE END!<br /><br />Bane- It's the pacing of the middles that kills me.<br /><br />L.T.- I usually keep the momentum in the beginning. At least to get the thing written. :)Stephanie Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17437077559099315853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-84311172762988958422010-04-01T09:06:45.195-07:002010-04-01T09:06:45.195-07:00Great question. I think I'm okay at endings. I...Great question. I think I'm okay at endings. I don't really have a problem with sagging in the middle because I tend to reveal things all along the way. So I guess maybe beginnings are my weak point, by elimination? <br /><br />Hm. I think I'm an okay opener (first page/ paragraph/ etc)-- but right after, when I'm getting into the story, is probably where it starts to drag for me.L. T. Hosthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12448176940211118898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-43934918673731773752010-04-01T08:28:36.051-07:002010-04-01T08:28:36.051-07:00Middle probably -- gotta figure out how to segue t...Middle probably -- gotta figure out how to segue to the end while keeping the pacing/tone.Joshua McCunehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17367262185912463258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-27029478482597165252010-04-01T06:49:34.829-07:002010-04-01T06:49:34.829-07:00Endings are definitely the hardest part for me. I ...Endings are definitely the hardest part for me. I think maybe because I never want them to come.Amalia Dillinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13005039978668326144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-49686691853797295342010-04-01T04:30:44.153-07:002010-04-01T04:30:44.153-07:00I'm learning to improve my beginnings. In my p...I'm learning to improve my beginnings. In my previous ms I enjoyed myself talking about the characters and setting up the story, getting to know everyone... <br /><br />Now, I know better :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-58924104518883368852010-04-01T02:46:01.606-07:002010-04-01T02:46:01.606-07:00I'd add one addendum to the last bit about int...I'd add one addendum to the last bit about introducing the opposition, in that if there's multiple opposing forces the hero will go up against, then introducing one in the opening pages is probably enough -- so long as it's a good one!<br /><br />I find that I rock at endings, whether I'm leaving things open for the next story or closing them down. There's something about tying down all the extant plot threads that I excel at. Beginnings I've gotten a lot better at, and the middles I'm OK with (particularly where the action starts to kick into high gear as it were).Matthew Delmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11452378192874048547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7111268153034999272.post-91487369813421968542010-03-31T22:13:15.456-07:002010-03-31T22:13:15.456-07:00Good Stuff. For me it's the beginnings I think...Good Stuff. For me it's the beginnings I think. I can never figure out where to start it! However, I thought before it was the middles, I was wrong.<br /><br />Good tips, thanks for sharing ;o)erica m. chapmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14773306703153110737noreply@blogger.com