tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post3291570672771459164..comments2024-03-28T05:29:45.364-04:00Comments on Heim Binas Fiction: How to Start Your StoryCKHBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17741681893677604323noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-27125857806707111512010-03-25T11:50:32.715-04:002010-03-25T11:50:32.715-04:00I agree, Carrie.
That's why I prefer stories ...I agree, Carrie.<br /><br />That's why I prefer stories that mix it up a bit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-49950471334999299422010-03-24T22:12:07.180-04:002010-03-24T22:12:07.180-04:00Super awesome Carrie. I think I'm a wind up p...Super awesome Carrie. I think I'm a wind up person, and though I've tried other approaches, they just don't work. But, beginnings are my worst scenes to write. If only the Agent started reading about 4 chapters in, when I'm much more comfortable with the story. <br /><br />I enjoyed the post. Very timely for me.<br /><br />........dholedolorahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715849844092553699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-36893180731315354852010-03-23T22:13:40.239-04:002010-03-23T22:13:40.239-04:00Interesting.
Right now, I'm using a Wind-up be...Interesting.<br />Right now, I'm using a Wind-up beginning, and I've used those before. But I know I'm going to be using a hook in the not too distant future.Kelsey (Dominique) Ridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10646757546422013401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-43826521812394918162010-03-22T23:26:09.248-04:002010-03-22T23:26:09.248-04:00That is so interesting. I've never even thoug...That is so interesting. I've never even thought about it, but I think I've begun with a plunge scene in every single one of my stories. I guess I just like a little action.Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00861022355718378425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-545224684463779092010-03-22T23:22:35.199-04:002010-03-22T23:22:35.199-04:00I love the differences here!
Lauren Morrill, the ...I love the differences here!<br /><br />Lauren Morrill, the beauty is that you can use ANY of these styles and still be starting on "the day something different happened." It's really easy to think of the plunge as <i>getting into the heart of the story</i> but it's really just about perspective. Starting with dialogue, as per Susana Mai, is an example of the plunge style, but you could (in theory) start with dialogue weeks before the big day, or weeks after. Or you could do a huge sweeping description of setting (aerial) on the big day.<br /><br />Atsiko, I don't like the hook if it's done purely for shock value. If the novel's plot really DOES start with a dead body, that's one thing. But when there's a big shocking moment that ends up not having emotional resonance in the context of the whole story, then that's just a cheap stunt. Aerial view is getting less popular in modern writing, I think.<br /><br />And, I think the rumination is really easy to screw up if you don't have a sufficiently compelling narrator.CKHBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17741681893677604323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-83204501380574760122010-03-22T22:45:25.274-04:002010-03-22T22:45:25.274-04:00I think mine is a plunge, though there isn't e...I think mine is a plunge, though there isn't exactly a high speed car chase. I'm one of those terrible people who opened with dialogue, so lets hope that works out for my poor WIP...<br /><br />I feel each start works well depending on the genre and the style of writing you have. <br /><br />@Jess sadly, when much of history is dominated by white men, they'll take the lion's share.Susana Maihttp://writingyourfeelings.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-91610805451070506382010-03-22T19:56:16.999-04:002010-03-22T19:56:16.999-04:00You know, I think I'm a fan of a combo Ruminat...You know, I think I'm a fan of a combo Rumination-Plunge. The Plunge w/o the Rumination doesn't grab my sympathy, and the rumination without the plunge tends to bore me. <br /><br />Whoever made that list was clearly a fan of old white men... And what's with all the James Joyce? (He does nothing for me.) But many of the lines I agree with, and I realize how woefully unread I am in the more modern classics.Jesshttp://www.jessicatudor.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-91499558992012782372010-03-22T18:41:46.312-04:002010-03-22T18:41:46.312-04:00My WIP starts with a plunge into a hook I would sa...My WIP starts with a plunge into a hook I would say. The story begins with the MC finding a dead body and then we find out why and what happens next.<br /><br />It's been many years since I read <i>One Hundred Years...</i> and all I remember is the lady surrounded by butterflies. I kind of like that opening with the guy in his last moments before death thinking of some weird thought from childhood--and he's gonna be executed by the firing squad for gosh sakes!<br /><br />Good post, Carrie. I like those descriptive terms for openings.<br /><br />LeeArlee Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11663942782929929334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-82533200263586949382010-03-22T17:45:56.746-04:002010-03-22T17:45:56.746-04:00Judy Blume says "start on the day that someth...Judy Blume says "start on the day that something different happens," so that's usually what I try to do. I would say it's more of a "plunge" technique. Sometimes I combine that with some kind of rumination.Lauren Elizabeth Morrillhttp://laurenemorrill.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-69651435602031305872010-03-22T17:44:38.059-04:002010-03-22T17:44:38.059-04:00Many many of the ones on that linked list are rumi...Many many of the ones on that linked list are ruminations. Interesting.<br /><br />Let's see...the WIP I'm currently focusing on starts with a Plunge-Rumination as well. The main character is in the middle of a conversation, but she does some thinkin' on it as well.Lisahttp://hermountain.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-30271680574585702402010-03-22T17:26:48.532-04:002010-03-22T17:26:48.532-04:00This is really interesting. Thanks!This is really interesting. Thanks!Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-4494465556086743482010-03-22T17:26:12.605-04:002010-03-22T17:26:12.605-04:00I despise the Hook and the Aerial. They just don&...I despise the Hook and the Aerial. They just don't work for me. It's really hard not to slam them when I'm doing critique. I'm not a big fan of the experiment either, but I'm willing to give it a little more BotD. I don't mind the Plunge or the Rumination as much. <br /><br />But mostly, I like to start close in on the characters, and do a short work-up to a tense scene. Whether that's physical or emotional tension depends on the mood I'm going for.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849583276019228310.post-70408972074708266212010-03-22T17:25:42.716-04:002010-03-22T17:25:42.716-04:00Mine started with a Rumination, but now it has mor...Mine started with a Rumination, but now it has more of a Plunge. The Rumination was after the event, but I decided I needed to go back and tell the event, which is action-y so Plunge-ish.Christi Goddardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08590491851753709622noreply@blogger.com