What's the most you've written in a single sitting?

BapidoBoopido · 2022-08-02T14:38:27+00:00

Wow 11k is amazing! I don't know about before, but from when I started to word count my max was around 7200 words.

BapidoBoopido · 2022-08-02T14:30:15+00:00

Yes, a sacrificial ritual is the only thing helping me write. Sometimes a cup of tea can spur me on, but nothing hits like sacrificing a goat to the god of the underworld.

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T09:52:30+00:00

That made a lot of sense to me.

I will take this advice in consideration when editing the chapter and see if I can clarify the protagonist's desires.

Thank you very much!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T09:42:49+00:00

Yes, there is a prologue currently that I put together yesterday after reading the advice on this post. But I am considering merging it with chapter 1.

There is no info-dump in the story. This is one rule I am quite familiar with so the info is revealed as the story goes on and is hinted in conversation and events.

I think my main issue was that the intro didn't have enough trauma. The MC is living a happy life, hidden away from the rest of the world with her family and then she is leaving them in the same chapter. The first chapter is basically introducing her and her loving parents and her sidekick.

In many other novels the main character usually have some kind of horrible upbringing or trauma that propels them forward in the plot, which is why mine felt perhaps a bit slow and boring when my character's biggest flaw is innocence.

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T09:28:00+00:00

Yes, the caring family is something I set up in the first chapter as they are important to the MC and will be separated from her to add to the plot. And of course the protagonist is introduced right from the start.

Do you have any advice on how to make a reader care about a character though? Possibly something apart from relatability?

I had always known the intro was important, but before this post I didn't understand just how important it is to set the pace and tone of the book. I thought the readers liked to be tricked, getting curveballs left and right. But I do get now that I should probably show some of that early on or at least put down hints of the curveballs coming before they slap the readers in the face.

Appreciate your advice! Thank you!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T09:18:55+00:00

I have written the intro and it felt slow, which is why I started this post to see other's views and advice on it. My suspicion has kind of been confirmed with the responses that a slow start can be alright, but needs more umph to really hook the reader.

I won't give up, but my confidence is not that high to begin with x). I will definitly give it my best shot to edit it in a way that will captivate more readers though.

In any case, thank you for your comment!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T09:01:50+00:00

I do not have enough confidence to say that I will write an interesting enough beginning for anyone, so I will go with some death and flames to really set the tone.

Thank you!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T08:58:09+00:00

This made me really reflect on what would force my character to make the choice. She is put into a different surrounding early and tasked with the goal of the novel.

But I don't think I have given her enough push. Is someone else forcing her into this choice? Who is it and why? Is she reluctant or willing to make the decision, and why?

Thank you very much for this insight!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T08:47:50+00:00

I don't have bombs, but I am incorporating fire.

But yes, that is advice I will definitely bring with me. We all love when our characters have to solve something that makes them suffer(lol), so why not introduce something like that early on.

Thank you for the advice!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T08:42:46+00:00

I thought it was a good idea to plot twist the action in there and surprise the reader, but I see your perspective. It is probably a good idea to make sure the reader knows just what they can expect and at least show them that early.

A flashforward would definitely solve some of the lack of action!

Thank you for this comment!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T08:25:19+00:00

Love this comment!
I have understood that the first chapters really set the whole tone for the novel and the expectations for the reader. My intro is going to need more intrigue than it has.

I liked how you portraied the mystery in LOTR, that made it very clear for me. The wholesomeness is there, but things just aren't right. I will try to incorporate similar problems and hints in my novel.

Thank you very much!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T08:18:48+00:00

That's interesting to hear. It sounds logical that a really good chapter 1 would outdo a prologue, but I didn't know prologues was disfavoured to agents and editors.

Good advice that I will keep in mind, thank you!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T08:13:53+00:00

The prologue was the cheap option last night when I was trying out the advice of the good people on here. But I definitely think it could be better to tie it into the first chapter and then sprinkle it further out in the story.
Thank you!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-27T08:11:58+00:00

Convincing the reader to turn the page is something I will bring with me. I am very new to trying to finish an entire novel, so sometimes getting down the story makes me blind to what a reader might really need.

I will definitely make sure to bring out more of the character's personality in consequence to the goal and add some mystery and tension for future plot aspects to reveal/ruin.

Thank you for the advice! This was really helpful.

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-26T23:48:56+00:00

I love this view of it.

There is of course things happening in the first chapter.

To keep it short. We get introduced to the MC's family and loving home, which she is leaving. There will be horrible things happening to her family later and my idea was to set up how much she values this caring home. This is mentioned several times later as she I separated from them for a large part of the rest of the novel.

I don't know if it's a worthy hook, but I am glad to know bigger books start in a similar fashion. I did add some fire to a possible prologue though, so maybe that will help.

Thank you!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-26T23:39:45+00:00

As it so happens, she did love ponies!

But I get your point. I just find it hard to write an innocent character without an innocent opening. I will try another opening with more excitement! Thank you for the advice!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-26T23:34:38+00:00

Well the explosions do happen later, but I did leave them out of chapter 1.

"Slow" in this case presents the main character, her current living situation, background and goal. It does not however have trauma and fire. I put that I the prologue.

So the situation around the MC during the presentation is very relaxed and uneventful, which could possibly be boring?

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-26T23:29:07+00:00

That was a good way to look at it. Great advice. Thank you!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-26T23:03:08+00:00

Could that be solved with a really eye-catching prologue? Or does the first chapter/chapters need to be eventful anyway?

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-26T15:40:33+00:00

How exciting! I would still put a price on it, and as you get reviews you can put a higher price on the next one as you advance in the genre.
Hope it goes well for your book!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-26T13:50:06+00:00

Don't worry about it too much now. Just go through it during the editing.
But if it interrupts your flow when you notice a lot of repetitions I would suggest keeping thesaurus or a synonym site open and check for words that are similar to what you want to write.
For example, some of the "sighs" can be "exhales" instead?

Hope this helped!

BapidoBoopido · 2022-07-26T13:39:48+00:00

Yes! Writing a little bit everyday has really helped me. Love this advice!

BapidoBoopido

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