Today, I thought I'd talk about the importance of having a story question from page 1. I just started reading a murder mystery novel by Kim Smith, a good friend of mine. Her novel is called Disk of Death. She has come a long way in her writing from when worked together in my critique group -- now defunct.
Like I said last week, she begins her book of with the main character, Shannon Wallace, into some terrible trouble (you'll have to read the book to find out what that terrible trouble is). Then, the story question. How is she going to cope with her new life's situation. Then as she tries to cope, the trouble only gets worse and the reader wonders (story question) how can things get worse?
That is a good example of what I was talking (writing) about last week, and Kim does it well.
So, make sure when you begin your novel that you follow that example. Otherwise, you'll loose your reader before they get to the bottom of page 1.
For those of you who have read "Bridgetown High," do you think Mark Wilkerson's terrible trouble, though seemingly solved, can get any worse? I'm working on a sequel and Mark will be in worse trouble than he, and you readers, ever thought. Keep posted. I'm aiming for submission to
agents and/or editors by next year (oh, and by the way, I have no idea where this photo came from, so I hope the person who posted it on Facebook won't be too upset).
Good luck with your writing.
And, until next week, as always, if you like this blog, please "Share" and "Like"it on Facebook , and "Re-tweet" it on Twitter.
Then PLEASE, take five minutes to write a review of "Bridgetown High" and post it on my author page at Amazon.
Also have you signed up for my email letters on my Blog Site?
I would love to see you there and have you introduce yourself and
give comments to this blog. And also keep in mind "Bridgetown High" is
still available at Amazon, Goodreads and Barnes&Noble
and several other places I can't remember, both in kindle e'book, and paperback. You can read some GREAT
reviews about Bridgetown High on Amazon and Goodreads in case you need more info
about it
See y'all next week,
Paul W West, Author
Bridgetown High
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