tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post2657607948552658608..comments2024-02-17T10:37:34.839-08:00Comments on Ramblings of a Romance Writing Mama...: Theory on Thursday with Ruthie KnoxRachael Johnshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12162767571439344710noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-41546567272249194882011-10-11T22:54:05.950-07:002011-10-11T22:54:05.950-07:00Very well done post, Ruthie! You've really na...Very well done post, Ruthie! You've really nailed the opening issues. I've had to work hard on several of these points and it's nice to see them articulated so clearly.ebarretthttp://ebarrettwrites.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-40469586598104398202011-10-09T12:52:35.277-07:002011-10-09T12:52:35.277-07:00Interesting thought, Rachael! I'd do a quick s...Interesting thought, Rachael! I'd do a quick survey. I'm thinking Dark Moment --> onward is probably only 4-5 chapters in most books. And that's how much you'd want to read, IMO.Ruthiehttp://www.ruthieknox.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-24612969804665353262011-10-09T01:58:36.060-07:002011-10-09T01:58:36.060-07:00Yes, and thanks again Ruthie for your time. I thin...Yes, and thanks again Ruthie for your time. I think I need to do what you suggest on endings - they give me grief. I wonder how many chaps back I should read?Rachael Johnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12162767571439344710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-7690563376897356062011-10-09T01:25:18.736-07:002011-10-09T01:25:18.736-07:00You're welcome, all! I'm glad you enjoyed,...You're welcome, all! I'm glad you enjoyed, and happy to share what I've learned. It was an extraordinarily useful exercise for me to read a dozen sets of first chapters with the same questions in mind and my analytical hat on. I'd urge anyone who's having problems -- with beginnings, middles, endings, or whatever other sorts of problems -- to give it a try!Ruthiehttp://www.ruthieknox.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-13275383607233202772011-10-08T04:45:24.080-07:002011-10-08T04:45:24.080-07:00I really enjoyed reading this post. I look at my b...I really enjoyed reading this post. I look at my beginnings and I do filter in the past, and character description etc. I'll have to take a look, but there is a time when this information can be overdone. <br /><br />My thrillers are action,action, and then a breath to filter in character background, and history etc.<br /><br />Again, I loved reading your post, and will definitely check out my current manuscripts. <br /><br />Thank you Ruthie, and thank you Rachel. <br /><br />Suz :)Suzanne Brandyn Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16969670520269001723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-87731107783061436442011-10-07T22:22:26.785-07:002011-10-07T22:22:26.785-07:00A good story is all about language and good charac...A good story is all about language and good characters for me.<br />Well said.Jolene Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14809468564016928636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-34847183237992228792011-10-07T00:19:39.874-07:002011-10-07T00:19:39.874-07:00Great post, Ruthie! And those tips are gold!Great post, Ruthie! And those tips are gold!Jackie Ashendenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15564893115525415518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-78976510028954225192011-10-06T14:52:04.618-07:002011-10-06T14:52:04.618-07:00This was really interesting, Ruthie. Thanks. You&#...This was really interesting, Ruthie. Thanks. You've got me thinking about the opening I've just written. Might have to take (yet)another look at it in light of your points.<br /><br />Another insightful Theory on Thursday. Keep 'em coming, Rach!<br /><br />Ooh, look. The word verification is sessicki. Sounds like something one gets in a boat.Cathryn Heinhttp://www.cathrynhein.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-58300373383115802092011-10-06T07:55:21.777-07:002011-10-06T07:55:21.777-07:00Thanks, all! Rachael, on not being able to bear th...Thanks, all! Rachael, on not being able to bear throwing out your chapters -- I know. I KNOW. But the thing is, you always love the new chapters so much more.Ruthiehttp://www.ruthieknox.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-79068341868420931882011-10-06T04:42:31.831-07:002011-10-06T04:42:31.831-07:00Thanks Ruthie and everyone for stopping by.
I...Thanks Ruthie and everyone for stopping by. <br /><br />I'm a HUGE fan of Ruthie already and can't wait for her books. Not sure I can BARE to throw out the first three chaps of each book I write!Rachael Johnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12162767571439344710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-10222024721606114632011-10-06T00:56:02.811-07:002011-10-06T00:56:02.811-07:00Fabulous post - loved it!Fabulous post - loved it!Scarlet Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03784722625468146993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-78047640359978052392011-10-05T19:57:29.465-07:002011-10-05T19:57:29.465-07:00Wow, that was all kinds of awesome! Thanks so much...Wow, that was all kinds of awesome! Thanks so much for sharing what you've learned!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-8276481953158368062011-10-05T18:16:34.470-07:002011-10-05T18:16:34.470-07:00Wow, what a fabulous post. I'll have to go bac...Wow, what a fabulous post. I'll have to go back and revisit all my beginnings now.testhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738594136372903385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-63162011052524692402011-10-05T17:25:35.779-07:002011-10-05T17:25:35.779-07:00Thanks, ladies! Larissa, a romance writer I really...Thanks, ladies! Larissa, a romance writer I really admire, Isabel Sharpe, told me the reader has to start falling in love w/the hero from the first moment -- even if the heroine doesn't! Suggests we have to tread carefully, especially with the grumpier heroes (who I love). I think my new process will be (1) write whole ms., (2) throw out first three chaps and write over from scratch, (3) revise rest of book. Should help!Ruthiehttp://www.ruthieknox.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-38411912927713016042011-10-05T16:23:57.812-07:002011-10-05T16:23:57.812-07:00Brilliant! Great advice. I love your points & ...Brilliant! Great advice. I love your points & examination from a romance writer POV. The critique on my romance ms came back, make your hero nicer! I read a blog guest hosted by Brenda Novak & she suggested I write the first 3 chpts, then toss & start over. I'm going to try that on my new wip. <br />thanks,<br />LarissaLarissa Reinharthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02483331518276860201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6428924548127436782.post-53785935744045947452011-10-05T15:36:59.639-07:002011-10-05T15:36:59.639-07:00Lovely post with great advice! (I loathe backstory...Lovely post with great advice! (I loathe backstory dumps too...made me laugh!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com