tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post1385456389246271398..comments2024-03-22T03:27:19.859-04:00Comments on Sourcebooks Casablanca Romance Authors: What do YOU like books to start with?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12914920560584429315noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-15395741728805808202011-07-06T14:35:51.111-04:002011-07-06T14:35:51.111-04:00For those that read the first lines or paragraph w...For those that read the first lines or paragraph when looking for a book, angst at the beginning may be a good way to grab their attention. I'm okay with either and usually decide by the blurb in the back. Your book does sound wonderful!catsladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06375770995988927860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-91876670948746012522011-07-05T18:21:08.170-04:002011-07-05T18:21:08.170-04:00Oh,yes, C.H opening with a hook grabs me every ti...Oh,yes, C.H opening with a hook grabs me every time.<br /><br />I like your thinking, Danielle. Like them both!<br /><br />Chelsea, it's not a romance if it deosn't have a HEA!<br /><br />AmeliaAmeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07603588884175706382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-5589720507486614972011-07-05T15:51:14.004-04:002011-07-05T15:51:14.004-04:00Honestly, either is good with me
:-) I am not a pi...Honestly, either is good with me<br />:-) I am not a picky reader-- as long as the end has an HEA, I'm good!Chelsea B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-46285495682315216822011-07-05T15:47:03.935-04:002011-07-05T15:47:03.935-04:00I like both. Sometimes I think the good greif in t...I like both. Sometimes I think the good greif in the beginning is a bit much and a little unbelievable. As long as I am able to believe in the story and the characters I don't care either way. <br /><br />iqb99@yahoo.comRFTC Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01794488183771670244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-47856211700715797432011-07-05T14:55:20.495-04:002011-07-05T14:55:20.495-04:00Wonderful blog, Amelia. I love Regencies and Regen...Wonderful blog, Amelia. I love Regencies and Regency-Era Historicals, so I am already drawn in because of the time period. :)<br /><br />As long as there is a strong enough hook, I don't have to see the characters in terrible peril in order to relate to them, but it does make for a more interesting read. :)C.H. Admirandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03081957130690192828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-65778331630812816332011-07-05T14:47:51.453-04:002011-07-05T14:47:51.453-04:00Hi Cathy, I started reading Sandra Brown, I think ...Hi Cathy, I started reading Sandra Brown, I think when I first started reading! Okay, she's not that old, but she is still a favorite even though she moved away from romance years ago.<br /><br />I'm with you, Shana. I like the "good griefs".<br />AmeliaAmeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07603588884175706382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-58108164231899380532011-07-05T14:28:37.440-04:002011-07-05T14:28:37.440-04:00Yes! I love books that open with a "good grie...Yes! I love books that open with a "good grief." If I don't know what's going to happen, I'll keep turning pages.Shanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06267793335415078380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-16237062816782954782011-07-05T14:27:14.866-04:002011-07-05T14:27:14.866-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Mrs. Axcellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06162134414936410209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-72831298075738793332011-07-05T11:32:49.888-04:002011-07-05T11:32:49.888-04:00Hi Grace, I like tension on the first page, too, t...Hi Grace, I like tension on the first page, too, though through my many books I've not always done that. As for pups in peril--I've never had a dog so I had to rely on info from family and friends.<br /><br />Good Morning Carolyn, I knew I had heard that about the trees. It must have been from your former editor!<br /><br />Terry, I'm not going to mess with your wovles! Unless they are in the shape of one of your very manly hunks!<br /><br />StacieDM, I completely agree with you and love the rainbows and sunshine at the end of a story.<br /><br />Lois, you are so right. Just keep it interesting all the way through. And I love that picture of the space shuttle. Any chance you have seen one lift off? I've always wanted to but haven't and sadly, it looks like there is only one chance left for me to see it.<br /><br />Joanne, too funny about I had you from the bow-wow, if you only knew how many people I talked to and what I read about large dogs, old dogs, and little dogs. I had to start wondering why a dog thief had such appeal to me.<br />AmeliaAmeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07603588884175706382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-54893580158203832652011-07-05T11:24:18.298-04:002011-07-05T11:24:18.298-04:00Amelia, thanks for a great blog - love the Sandra ...Amelia, thanks for a great blog - love the Sandra Brown quote!Catherine Mannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11813134848084095205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-63804681900784928612011-07-05T11:05:27.068-04:002011-07-05T11:05:27.068-04:00I love the Sandra Brown quote - she does write gre...I love the Sandra Brown quote - she does write great stories and I love the concept of "good grief." But the fact is, I like anything that starts with a dog:) You had me from "bow-wow!"Joanne Kennedyhttp://www.joannekennedybooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-64192147938229438222011-07-05T10:31:12.553-04:002011-07-05T10:31:12.553-04:00I'm looking around at the books staring at me ...I'm looking around at the books staring at me to try to think on how they started (but I think most of them are books I haven't read, so it's not helping much). LOL Anyway, I think it's going to depend on the book. I imagine most will start with the good grief and conflicts, but some might start with happiness, and not stay that way and then go back to it. It's going to really depend on the story that an author wants to tell. For me, however it begins, just be interesting and I'll keep reading! :)<br /><br />LoisLoishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11105054210049682018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-5808924685129215002011-07-05T09:25:39.812-04:002011-07-05T09:25:39.812-04:00I think the "good grief" moments at the ...I think the "good grief" moments at the beginning of the story helps the reader get to know the characters more quickly. I think it starts the story with more momentum than if it started all sunshine and rainbows. I like all kinds of stories so I am just as satisfied with happy beginnings.<br /><br />user1123 AT comcast DOT netStacieDMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-53696344447021065482011-07-05T09:22:56.283-04:002011-07-05T09:22:56.283-04:00My first editor ever told me to put my characters ...My first editor ever told me to put my characters on a shaky tree limb and throw rocks at them. It worked!<br />I like a strong first line and even stronger first page because that's what draws the reader to want more.<br />LOVED visiting with you at RWA!!Carolyn Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704111268464382004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-88600924455710233822011-07-05T09:08:56.703-04:002011-07-05T09:08:56.703-04:00You throw rocks at my wolves and they're bound...You throw rocks at my wolves and they're bound to bite back, Amelia! LOL <br /><br />There's nothing worse than a story droning on about how wonderful everyone's life is. That's not fun. We want to see trouble in paradise.<br /><br />Making our characters work for their happily ever after helps then to grow. :)Terry Spearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788961423817944896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-81314677778230231862011-07-05T09:00:07.370-04:002011-07-05T09:00:07.370-04:00Amelia,
I love a heroine who can think for hersel...Amelia, <br />I love a heroine who can think for herself particularly when she's been raised by duke and swathed in ballgowns night after night. Best of luck to Lord Brentwood, and your dog thief angle is a "why didn't I think of that!?" hook. Who won't turn the pages for a pup in peril? <br /><br />As for openers, as long as there's tension from page one, I'm not wedded to the calamitous first scene. It's hard for the second and third scenes to hold up to the pacing. If the first scene is more built around stage-setting, question-dropping, intriguing circumstances, then the pace can build over the first chapter. <br /><br />To each, etc. Best of luck to you, Lord Brentwood, and his lovely if stubborn fiancee.Grace Burroweshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01631291702461834307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-27958511882369071012011-07-05T08:47:10.034-04:002011-07-05T08:47:10.034-04:00Good morning Na and everyone! I'm happy to be ...Good morning Na and everyone! I'm happy to be here with you today and will check in throughout the day to see if any of you have comments for questions.<br />Na, I with you. Bring the good griefs in early. As someone once said, open up with your hero or heroine up a tree and then start throwing rocks at them.<br />AmeliaAmeliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07603588884175706382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2802601138878132017.post-21307029459931305042011-07-05T08:38:21.361-04:002011-07-05T08:38:21.361-04:00I am all for good grief for the characters in the ...I am all for good grief for the characters in the beginning. That way I am more likely to emotionally connect with the characters. I tend to gravitate towards emotional books and with any grief there is always the anticipation of good to come. If there is a hero in the picture, it might highlight his heroic qualities early on or put in a motion a scenario where he is truly needed and his arrival perfect-timing. <br /><br />I am also fine with happiness at the start, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, just so long as the conflict is worthy of the story, no too predictable or cliche. It really depends on the story and the characters. <br /><br />Cambonified(AT)yahoo(DOT)comNahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06975459094094828798noreply@blogger.com