Two things I almost always comment on when editing a client's manuscript are a story's beginning and chapter/scene endings. When I comment on these two story components, I tend to discuss TV shows and make the suggestion that we borrow what successful shows do and apply it to our novel writing. Today, I'll offer insight on how TV shows can help you develop your story's beginning. In the beginning... We all know how important a story's beginning is. Because a story has a beginning, middle, and an ending, some writers start their story at the very beginning, meaning, they use their first chapter to set us up with who the main characters are, where they live, and what they do. Toward the end of that first chapter, we might get a hint of conflict. Many times, especially in early drafts, we don't. When you consider the reader of said first chapter, that would be a problem. William Rabkin, in his book, Writing the Pilot , states that "what you're doi...

Grabbing the reader’s attention in the first few lines of a book is essential. Below are two examples of openers from my writing manual. Which of the two do you like better? Why? How would you open this scene? Scene 1: Stretching long pink fingers across the horizon, the sun scurried away from ominous thunderheads that rolled across the sky. Sharp winds charged the air with chilling expectation. Dusk yielded too early to the dark. Maria sat on the window seat and shuddered as jagged bolts dissected the air. Putting her hands over her ears, she tried to shut out the thunderous roars that followed. The storm matched her mood, her life. Hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, she knew them all. They defined her existence. Scene 2: Streaking across the black sky, lightning dazzled the dark room with eerie brightness. Thunder answered in earsplitting claps. Maria stared out the window. Where was Hannah? Her daughter had promised to come home before the storm hit. Maria punched the...

The beginning of the year is traditionally a time for taking stock and resolving to do better in the months ahead. As authors, we face particular challenges. Here is a partial list, which is particular to my own needs. Perhaps, it will be of benefit to you in discovering what to continue or improve. Tools of the trade - Though some authors still write manuscripts in longhand, I would be lost without a computer. My desktop computer is about five years old, with a Windows XP operating system. XP will no longer be supported by Microsoft in April, 2014, which means no more updates. That will leave XPs more vulnerable to viruses. Other strikes are: XPs were not designed for multi-tasking, and my present computer cannot be expanded past its 4G of RAM. To be prepared, I broke down and ordered a Windows 8 computer with 12G of RAM. No Excuses - After the new computer is set up, which hopefully will happen within at least two weeks of its arrival, I will have no excuse to dilly dally...