Last week, I said that the goal of the first sentence is, quite simply, to get the reader to move on to the second. This week, I’m going to give you some thoughts on what will keep people reading. Before I begin, however; I must mention this: There is nothing more subjective in the writing […]
Author Archive: Christine
Copy Edits Are In!
Got my second round of editorial feedback for The Immortality Virus last night, so that will keep me busy for a few days. The first round of edits involved a little copy editing, but focused more on content, which luckily didn’t need much. This time, I got a thorough copy edit, which will help make […]
Once Upon a First Line
I’ve heard a lot of theories about what makes a first line great. I’ve read a lot of compelling first lines and tried to imagine how I could pull off a similar effect. I’ve read countless stories by other writers, including many novices, who are obviously trying to find this magic and usually, trying too […]
Book Review: Dead Until Dark
Title: Dead Until Dark Author: Charlaine Harris Genre: Contemporary Fantasy All right, all right, I enjoyed a vampire book. I couldn’t help it. I wanted to dislike this book. I kept looking for reasons to put it down, but it wouldn’t let me. So now I have to admit, not that I read a vampire […]
Idea Generation
Where do ideas come from? If you’re a writer, then someone has probably asked you this question. Likewise, if you’re a writer, you probably already have some notion as to the answer. As a frequently asked question, this one has had a strange dichotomy in my life — it is the question most frequently asked […]
Movie Review: Harry Potter 7 – part 1
I went to see the latest installment of Harry Potter armed with low expectations so that I would not be disappointed. Either my strategy worked wonders or this is the best Harry Potter movie to date. Don’t get me wrong — it isn’t the book. It will never be the book. Like all the movies, […]
Book Review: Up Close and Dangerous
Title: Up Close and Dangerous Author: Linda Howard Genre: Romantic suspense Few authors can put together an exciting and romantic tale the way Linda Howard can. For pure, undiluted entertainment it doesn’t get any better, and Up Close and Dangerous is no exception. Bailey and Cam don’t like each other much, but when their small […]
Book Review: Mockingjay
Title: Mockingjay Author: Suzanne Collins The final volume in the Hunger Games trilogy left me feeling empty inside, especially after the dark, emotional roller-coaster of the first. I would say I feel disappointed, because on some level that’s true, but to be honest the book didn’t surprise me much after the direction things took in […]
Developing a Thick Skin
Someone out there thinks this sentence sucks. It’s as sure as death and taxes, which as someone else has just correctly observed, is a cliche. Or maybe it was the same person. I’m less certain whether these people have a point or if I should edit my post to reflect their ideas, but if I […]
On Writing a Novel in One Month
For many writers, November means NaNo. Since I’m actually participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) this year, I figure it’s only right that I add my voice to the write-a-book-in-a-month movement like many of my fellow writers have done. (Check out Aliette de Bodard and Mary Robinette Kowal) I’ll be honest with you. November […]