Chapter Book Revision, cont'd.

At this point in my chapter book revision, I’m focusing on the first three chapters, since that’s what many agents/editors request. If they like the beginning, they may ask to see the entire manuscript. The first sentence, followed by the first paragraph, followed by the first chapter are the parts of a manuscript that have the greatest initial impact (first chapter = initial impact). If readers aren’t hooked in the first chapter, they often read no further. A great first chapter warrents further reading. A not-so-great one earns a rejection. The writing must stand out to the point it beats the competition, which is not an easy task to achieve, but IS achievable.

A lot happens in the first chapter. Here are revision checkpoints I’m homing in on:

 Introduce the hook. A hook is writing that snares  readers' interest and keeps them reading.

 

Introduce the characters. Begin with the main protagonist. My initial plan involved writing about an unreliable narrator, one who the reader could not depend on to tell the story in an unbiased way. The little boy didn’t get along with his neighbor so from his perspective, everything about the neighbor was negative. A few revisions later I still kept this aspect of the character’s personality. Then, after setting the story aside for months, I’ve decided to make the character narrating the story more reliable and the neighbor can come to life showing her positive and negative traits as the story unfolds. Setting this story aside to work on other projects allows me to be more objective in critiquing because I’m coming back to it with a fresh outlook, a policy I recommend for all writers.

I’ve revised the first three chapters until my fingers tingled, but Chapter 1 is missing the mark, still. What’s a writer to do? Revise, revise, revise. At this point I’ve rewritten the opening about thirty times. Yes, 30! There may be a 31. I’ll run it by my critique partner and find out.

In my next blog, I’ll provide more checkpoints for revision.

Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:

Hunger Mountain is a print journal of the arts. We publish fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, visual art, young adult and children’s writing, and literary miscellany. Our print issue comes out annually in the spring. Hunger Mountain hosts four annual writing contests, which are open to all writers: the Howard Frank Mosher Short Fiction Prize, the Ruth Stone Poetry Prize, the Katherine Paterson Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing, and the Hunger Mountain Creative Nonfiction Prize.  We also offer a paid Hunger Mountain Fellowship.

Submission guidelines at http://hungermtn.org/about-us/

Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook, SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.

Leave a message or check out my blog at www.nancykellyallen.com

Story Beginnings/Call for Submissions

I recently heard a speaker compare a story to a dinner. The beginning is the appetizer. Appetizers are delicate, interesting pieces that tantalize the hunger and make us anticipate the meal with high expectations. The story middle is the main course, satisfying and delicious. That leaves the ending dessert, which should be small (short) and sweet. A happy ending works well in children’s literature. The reader closes the book feeling fulfilled and looking forward to the next literary meal.

The beginning is the most difficult part of the story to write. Let’s look at some ways to tantalize the reader.

The first sentence should be intriguing or exciting to hook the reader’s interest. Let’s look at some ways to do hook ‘em in.

Humor is an effective method.

Ragweed by Avi begins with "Ma, a mouse has to do what a mouse has to do." That sentence sets the tone for the humorous book.

Build excitement or tension.

The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy: “Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches stood at the top of a high mountain surrounded by a pine forest.”

By creating a mystery or a problem.

I began my book, Amazing Grace, with “My day began like every other day in 1944—ordinary—then the mysteries unfolded, not one, but two.”

By challenging (or reversing) the reader's expectations.
Try writing a beginning line for this type of opening. I’ll start. The biggest, baddest wolf in the whole forest feared only one thing—Little Miss Hen.

Practice writing beginning sentences for your manuscript even after it is complete.

Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:

Stories of Music. We are seeking new and published authors and artists to share works focused on music and the impact it has on people's lives. Whether it expresses a story of healing, community, cultural or family traditions, musicianship, travel experiences, an historical account, or any other experience with music, we invite you to tell your story. This opportunity is open to anyone, from anywhere in the world.

This page is intended to be a guide as you prepare your submission. If you need any help during the submission process, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you.

Deadline June 1, 2015.

Submission guidelines at http://www.storiesofmusic.com/submit-a-story.html#guidelines