tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post3955570180269363849..comments2024-02-21T05:25:03.233-05:00Comments on Adventures in YA Publishing: Inspired Openings: Christine JohnsonMartina Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-12167977885698949252013-02-12T17:29:43.119-05:002013-02-12T17:29:43.119-05:00Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I've neve...Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I've never read Blue Sword, but in light of the comments, I clearly must! For those who asked, here are the opening lines of THE GATHERING DARK: "Normally, Keira didn't notice the shoppers who trickled through the department store. She just sat, head down, playing the obnoxious, white-lacquered baby grand. But this time was different. The oily-smooth voice cracked her focus like an egg smashing against a windowpane." And there you have it!Christine Johnsonhttp://www.christinejohnsonbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-84056738856673541552013-02-11T20:46:19.249-05:002013-02-11T20:46:19.249-05:00That is an awesome opening!!! Love the voice in it...That is an awesome opening!!! Love the voice in it - and the shivers it causes! Great advice :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-19901804667994939932013-02-11T20:44:01.387-05:002013-02-11T20:44:01.387-05:00I, like Margo, went right to Blue Sword with the O...I, like Margo, went right to Blue Sword with the OJ. My openings are continually evolving as I sync them up with the evolution of the whole story. I agree, nothing gets rewritten more than the opening.Leslie S. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122865337924270039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-89698175013351952832013-02-11T19:22:17.743-05:002013-02-11T19:22:17.743-05:00Great post, Christine! Can't wait to read GD!!...Great post, Christine! Can't wait to read GD!!LindaBudzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09290094983584931044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-88155473809740809762013-02-11T18:50:06.442-05:002013-02-11T18:50:06.442-05:00The comment about the orange juice cracks me up be...The comment about the orange juice cracks me up because that is EXACTLY how one of my most favorite novels begins, the Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. Of course that was 25 years ago before we were jaded by orange juice. :) <br /><br />I loved the opening given, but wish we could have seen the opening paragraph for Gathering Dark too. Margo Berendsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03476308235642890474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-51627422507296564022013-02-11T18:32:52.724-05:002013-02-11T18:32:52.724-05:00VERY wise advice. Great to keep in the back of one...VERY wise advice. Great to keep in the back of one's mind that you may get the beginning down okay (and even love it), but it won't necessarily be in FINAL form until you have the entire book done. Because like you said, things change. I looooove the cover of GATHERING DARK--such beautiful form and mood and offswept hair! :) Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-23892738911118604362013-02-11T18:18:41.075-05:002013-02-11T18:18:41.075-05:00yep, that hook is sooooo important, and there are ...yep, that hook is sooooo important, and there are a million ways to dangle it:)christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09333731893253823414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-34812969713357960322013-02-11T17:52:41.340-05:002013-02-11T17:52:41.340-05:00Great tips on opening lines. I agree with Teresa. ...Great tips on opening lines. I agree with Teresa. The example from R.J. Anderson is great.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-2792354438301413032013-02-11T10:20:22.538-05:002013-02-11T10:20:22.538-05:00I think opening lines of a story is my favorite pa...I think opening lines of a story is my favorite part even over the ending. If it comes with a hook there is great anticipation of what will come next. <br /><br />R.J. Anderson’s opening lines ARE great. T. Powell Coltrinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02160774009926623671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-65530622941814935612013-02-11T09:57:28.447-05:002013-02-11T09:57:28.447-05:00You make a great point about keeping the opening s...You make a great point about keeping the opening simple, yet giving the reader a reason to keep reading. :)S.A. Larsenッhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06241633272588383935noreply@blogger.com