tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post4880406177764488627..comments2024-02-21T05:25:03.233-05:00Comments on Adventures in YA Publishing: Inspired Openings: Paula Morris on Cutting Off the Onramp and Getting into StoryMartina Boonehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-65248427440853364242013-03-19T11:47:25.250-04:002013-03-19T11:47:25.250-04:00I've heard that too. :) I think it depends on ...I've heard that too. :) I think it depends on the writer and the story, and the draft number. So often, we (okay, me) use that beginning to get to know our characters and the voice, and most of that doesn't really give us any decisions. :)Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-80154587989156700312013-03-19T11:44:50.025-04:002013-03-19T11:44:50.025-04:00Thanks so much for visiting, Paula! The onramp ref...Thanks so much for visiting, Paula! The onramp reference is just brilliant, and it's one of the hardest things to nail down. There are no "formulas" for figuring out where your story really begins. For me, I'm starting to find that the question comes down to where does the protag begin acting in response to the story -- not discussing, not thinking, not reacting. Where does she begin to do something that either makes her situation better or makes it worse. This doesn't require explosions or car chases--I love to get to know a character so I can care about her--but I want to see her doing something that will ultimately make a difference in the story.Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-78290717039036592432013-03-18T23:09:28.130-04:002013-03-18T23:09:28.130-04:00I remember one speaker at a SCBWI LA conference te...I remember one speaker at a SCBWI LA conference tell everyone to delete their first three chapters, because the story always starts at Chapter four. I spend a lot of time plotting my stories, so I really hope I don't wait that long until I start it. :DStinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-57953582575111231902013-03-18T19:14:06.704-04:002013-03-18T19:14:06.704-04:00Great blog. Thanks!Great blog. Thanks!Carol Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10444182118975929045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-33526565273564197992013-03-18T17:56:02.992-04:002013-03-18T17:56:02.992-04:00Love the onramp reference! Such great advice. Jame...Love the onramp reference! Such great advice. James Scott Bell wrote in Plot & Structure that we should consider making chapter two our new chapter one. We can thread it the stuff from ch. 1 that's needed, and ditch the rest. I have to say, I did that with my last manuscript. Didn't miss that onramp at all!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-68346667577843698012013-03-18T17:32:20.465-04:002013-03-18T17:32:20.465-04:00Great advice and examples! I love the comparison o...Great advice and examples! I love the comparison of an unnecessary opening to an "on-ramp." I've had a few on-ramp openings in the past and am trying to be more aware of them :) Thanks, Paula!Jesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14121018905141253640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005062827798430682.post-1043873547284815452013-03-18T15:28:49.925-04:002013-03-18T15:28:49.925-04:00Ooh, that's a good idea, to read lots of short...Ooh, that's a good idea, to read lots of short stories. I recently picked up a friend's collection of short stories and enjoyed it tremendously. A whole adventure in a couple of pages!<br /><br />I agree about cutting the first chapter. I've done that for a couple of books and it seems to make the action flow much better. I flail around a lot at the beginning of a story, and that all needs to go. Kessiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15019626781634777336noreply@blogger.com