Writer Unboxed. The Book Deal. “Every time mama came down on that shabby floor, the bullet lodged in my stomach felt like a hot poker.” Claude Brown and I hunted through his manuscript for two days to find that moment and move it to the opening of his classic Harlem memoir Manchild in the Promised Land. We wanted to detail the true grit of getting shot at age 13 while dealing drugs at a fish and chips joint, and to include the emotional drama of his mother jumping up and down in despair. We added the hot poker detail to scorch the reader’s sense of sight, sound, and visceral pain.
We hoped this start-up moment would persuade them to buy the book. And if 4 million copies sold in 14 languages is hard evidence, something must have worked. The importance of first pages The first pages of your story create an instant impression of its quality and value. As a developmental editor, I often work with authors to reconstruct, revise, and create completely new openings. How to begin your book 1. 2. 3. 4. Remember to do this! Nailyournovel. Fuel Your Writing. Pub Rants. Writers Digest. Janet Reid, Literary Agent. A couple years ago I walked the BEA show floor with my good friend Barbara. At that time she was the photographer who did the still shots for Project Runway. I knew Project Runway was a cable TV show, but that was about it. At one point we bumped up against a large, stationary crowd and overheard a woman say "Oh my gosh, I'm so excited to meet Tim Gunn!
" Barb's ears perked up. She hadn't known Tim Gunn was going to be at BEA or that his book was soon to be published. Could we stand in this line to get a copy? Well, sure. So, there we were. Tim looked up and said "Oh hello Barbara! " Would we like our books signed? Yes indeed we would but Barb had the clever idea to give them to two friends who were devoted Project Runway fans. So yes, we'd like to have the books signed, but to Vivian and Stella. Sign he did. More pleasantries, then we said our good byes, and Tim Gunn looked at me and said "So nice to meet you, Janet" and off we went.
But I was impressed. You are Tim Gunn to someone. Nathan Bransford. Write to Done. Storyfix. Ebooks By Larry Brooks. Novel Writing Tips and Fundamentals by Larry Brooks Larry Brooks, the author of four critically-acclaimed bestsellers, has consolidated principles from his professional writing workshops into four ebooks below: “Get Your Bad Self Published”, “The Three Dimensions of Character: Going Deep and Wide To Develop Compelling Heroes and Villains”, “101 Slightly Unpredictable Tips for Novelists and Screenwriters” and “Story Structure – Demystified”: In “Get Your Bad Self Published” You’ll learn… This is a book for serious writers with serious intentions. It’s not a listing of agents and publishers; there are plenty of those resources out there. Rather, this is a book about enlightenment.
About working smart. CLICK HERE to learn more about how to “Get Your Bad Self Published” The Three Dimensions of Character will introduce you to… …the subtle but critical difference between character and story. The writer knows what you’re going through in your effort to develop killer characters. Write it Sideways. We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master. ~Ernest Hemingway How strong is your writing? No matter how good you think it is, there’s always room for improvement.
In most cases, plenty of room. Luckily, there are some amazing websites that’ll help you improve your writing, and take it to the next level. (***By the way, have you seen this amazing online creative writing course, “Story Is a State of Mind,” created by Giller finalist Sarah Selecky? Want to strengthen your story, empower your performance, and beef up on the publishing business?
Here are 23 sites (in no particular order) I look to for daily inspiration and advice: PS If you find this list useful, please share it on Twitter, Facebook or StumbleUpon – I’d really appreciate it! 4) Query Shark A query critique site you don’t want to miss. 5) Men with Pens Fantastic articles on copywriting and freelancing. 6) Ask Allison Writing and publishing Q&A by novelist Allison Winn Scotch.