Learning from Coraline by Neil Gaiman: Building a world (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2018-09-12 | Great writers build spaces for compelling stories and settings that capture our imagination. Here's how author Neil Gaiman hooks readers using exploration and discovery of a setting in Chapter 1 of his novel CORALINE.TRANSCRIPT on Medium: http://bit.ly/CoralineEssayUPDATES on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts(Tumblr? Nope, I deleted my account!)—SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---MORE ABOUT “CORALINE” AND NEIL GAIMAN* Coraline book synopsis: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coraline* Neil Gaiman’s website: http://neilgaiman.com* Coraline (film): http://bit.ly/2NBIFyoRECOMMENDED READING & VIEWING* A Wrinkle In Time: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Wrinkle_in_Time* Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice%27s_Adventures_in_Wonderland* The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion,_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe* Peter Pan: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Pan* Calvin and Hobbes: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_and_Hobbes* CBC retrospective on Calvin and Hobbes: cbc.ca/radio/day6/episode-392-roseanne-s-racist-tweets-trans-mountain-pot-stocks-come-to-canada-calvin-and-hobbes-and-more-1.4685592/let-s-go-exploring-the-story-of-calvin-and-hobbes-creator-bill-watterson-1.4685643* My Neighbor Totoro: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Neighbor_Totoro* The Shining: http://bit.ly/2QlVg7g* Annihilation: http://bit.ly/2x8A3pi* Read Chapter 1 of Annihilation: io9.gizmodo.com/read-the-mesmerizing-first-chapter-of-jeff-vandermeers-1520682658* Geoff Manaugh interview with Patrick McGrath about architecture and fiction: http://www.bldgblog.com/2007/07/the-possibility-of-secret-passageways-an-interview-with-patrick-mcgrath * Geoff Manaugh blog post about "an architecture of death": http://www.bldgblog.com/2007/05/at-the-end-of-the-tunnelADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS* Wolf Children: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Children* This One Summer: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_One_Summer* The Devil’s Backbone: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil%27s_Backbone* Mountains of the Mind: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountains_of_the_Mind* The Appeal of Lonely Places: youtu.be/OIF5QtnPA3A —ABOUT THE CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts—MUSIC ATTRIBUTIONS"Holiday Gift" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_03_Holiday_Gift"A List of Ways To Die" by Lee Roseverehttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/The_Big_Loop_-_FML_original_podcast_score/Lee_Rosevere_-_The_Big_Loop_-_FML_original_podcast_score_-_10_A_List_of_Ways_to_Die"I Was Waiting For Him" by Lee Roseverehttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/The_Big_Loop_-_FML_original_podcast_score/Lee_Rosevere_-_The_Big_Loop_-_FML_original_podcast_score_-_17_I_Was_Waiting_for_Him"Brooks" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Chapter_Two__Mild/Kai_Engel_-_Chapter_Two_-_Mild_-_03_Brooks_1014"Love Wins" by Lee Roseverehttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/Love_Wins/Lee_Rosevere_-_Love_WinsIMAGE ATTRIBUTIONSAt the psychiatric ward photo by Ján Jakub Naništaunsplash.com/photos/z9hvkSDWMIMSubscribe button by AlfredoCreates:alfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background:http://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector #writing #NaNoWriMo #worldbuilding
Growing from literary rejection #shorts How The Novel Starts 2022-04-05 | A case study from the front lines of fiction publishing: novelist/marketer Grace Flahive talks about the dos and don’ts of pursuing publication, working with an agent, hooking editors, and learning from rejection. Watch the full interview here:youtu.be/kZEw-eCOaAY---ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So, instead, I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.---#writing#publishing#shorts
Resilience vs. literary rejection: interview with writer and marketer Grace Flahive How The Novel Starts 2022-03-29 | A case study from the front lines of fiction publishing: novelist/marketer Grace Flahive talks about the dos and don’ts of pursuing publication, working with an agent, hooking editors, and learning from rejection.0:00 Intro1:15 Agent sends out manuscript3:51 Getting feedback from editors6:19 Hooks in literary fiction11:37 Revise or move on?15:38 Sharing her new work19:56 Staying motivated21:58 Outro---SUPPORT THE CHANNEL: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstartsTRANSCRIPT: howthenovelstarts.medium.com/99567860483bTWITTER: twitter.com/hownovelstarts/status/1508884749590351882---LINKS MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO* Grace Flahive on Instagram: instagram.com/graceflahivewrites* Her proudest writing rejection: instagram.com/p/Bser1PUncjC* Thames & Hudson: thamesandhudson.com---ADDITIONAL READING AND VIEWING* My video essay on CLOUD ATLAS: surprise and language in literary fiction youtu.be/GmbaIFr-CoY* My video essay on LIFE OF PI: voice, intimacy and hooks in literary fiction youtu.be/FjUFM-3yjfc---ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So, instead, I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.---IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONSAuthor photo by Erik Naumann http://www.eriknaumann.com courtesy of Grace FlahiveLike icon: freeiconspng.com/img/39121 Comment icon: iconfinder.com/icons/298753/comment_icon Mouse pointer icon: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mouse-cursor-hand-pointer.svg Subscribe button - AlfredoCreates: alfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background - Ian Barnard: http://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector---MUSIC AND SOUND ATTRIBUTIONS“Cielo” by Harris Heller / streambeats.comMouse click sound effect by Alexander: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/mouse-click-soundBell ring sound effect by Alexander: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/bell-sound-effect-ding---#writing#literaryfiction#publishing
Editor of Crazy Rich Asians on focusing your novel #shorts How The Novel Starts 2022-02-17 | Editor Jenny Jackson shares a tip to help her authors focus their novel’s intent. Watch the full interview here:youtu.be/_NemTN-gZwg---ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So, instead, I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.---#writing#publishing#shorts---
Finding your novel’s niche: interview with editor of Crazy Rich Asians, Jenny Jackson How The Novel Starts 2022-02-11 | Editor Jenny Jackson shares how Crazy Rich Asians found its niche and connected with readers. She also shares practical tips that help her authors focus their novel’s intent. Finally, she discusses her own transition from editor to author, and what she brought from her editorial experience into her writing process.0:00 Intro0:47 Her background2:51 How Crazy Rich Asians found its niche10:20 What genre means to the industry16:32 Tips on finding your story’s niche19:34 Transition from editor to novelist27:25 Outro---SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstartsTRANSCRIPT on Medium: howthenovelstarts.medium.com/finding-your-novels-niche-c728a33e6690FOLLOW AND SHARE on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts/status/1492169273401384965---LINKS MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO* My video essay on CRAZY RICH ASIANS: youtu.be/HW7ZQfT7Dsc* Reading group promotional piece: http://knopfdoubleday.com/2014/06/13/how-editor-jennifer-jackson-got-carried-away-with-crazy-rich-asians* Excerpt in Vogue: vogue.com/article/another-world-excerpt-from-kevin-kwan-crazy-rich-asians* STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel http://emilymandel.com/stationeleven.html* ROOM by Emma Donoghue emmadonoghue.com/books/novels/room-the-novel.html* THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT by Chris Bohjalian chrisbohjalian.com/the-flight-attendant* MAINE by J. Courtney Sullivan jcourtneysullivan.com/maine* SAINTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS by J. Courtney Sullivan jcourtneysullivan.com/saints-for-all-occasions* New York Times article on rich Millennials: nytimes.com/2020/11/27/style/trust-fund-activism-resouce-generation.html* Jenny Jackson on Twitter: twitter.com/jennyejackson---ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So, instead, I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONS* Author photo by Torrey Liddell, courtesy of Jenny Jackson* Cover images courtesy of Jenny Jackson* Postcard image by Jakob Owens / Unsplash: unsplash.com/photos/jHjjWSmnznc* Like icon: freeiconspng.com/img/39121 * Comment icon: iconfinder.com/icons/298753/comment_icon * Mouse pointer icon: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mouse-cursor-hand-pointer.svg * Subscribe button - AlfredoCreates: alfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1* Blueprint background - Ian Barnard: http://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector---MUSIC AND SOUND ATTRIBUTIONS* “Consciousness” by Harris Heller / Streambeats.com* Mouse click sound effect by Alexander: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/mouse-click-sound* Bell ring sound effect by Alexander: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/bell-sound-effect-ding---#writing#crazyrichasians#publishing
How Crazy Rich Asians hooks readers: building genre and expectations (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2021-11-27 | How the opening chapters of the novel CRAZY RICH ASIANS by Kevin Kwan build (and subvert) genre expectations to hook and satisfy readers. The novel knows exactly what readers want and expect, and the opening delivers on those expectations with surprise and delight. 0:00 Intro0:50 Plot summary3:03 A simple structure4:28 What is genre?6:27 Building genre in the text10:55 OutroSUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---TRANSCRIPT on Medium: howthenovelstarts.medium.com/45de987062fbFOLLOW AND SHARE on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts/status/1464628948030136320---ADDITIONAL READING AND VIEWING* Read the opening online: amazon.com/Crazy-Rich-Asians-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B00AP2VQEM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1637876703&sr=8-2&asin=B00AP2VQEM&revisionId=9b6412c1&format=1&depth=1* My video on IN MEDIAS RES (starting with action): youtu.be/NPDmnBJ5_nI* CRAZY RICH ASIANS synopsis en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crazy_Rich_Asians* THE GURKHA AND THE LORD OF TUESDAY by Saad Z. Hossain publishing.tor.com/thegurkhaandthelordoftuesday-saadzhossain/9781250209108---ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So, instead, I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONSLondon map: Google Earth / Landsat / Copernicus, Data SIO, NOAANew York map: Google Earth / Data SIO, NOAA, U.S. NavySingapore map: Google Earth / Maxar TechnologiesCouture font: dafont.com/couture.fontLike icon: freeiconspng.com/img/39121 Comment icon: iconfinder.com/icons/298753/comment_icon Mouse pointer icon: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mouse-cursor-hand-pointer.svg Subscribe button - AlfredoCreates: alfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background - Ian Barnard: http://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector---MUSIC AND SOUND ATTRIBUTIONS“Fake Fan” by Harris Heller / Streambeats.com“Pastel Sunshine” by Harris Heller / Streambeats.com“Slip n Slide” by Harris Heller / Streambeats.com“Alt-F4” by Harris Heller / Streambeats.com“Mock Shock” by Harris Heller / Streambeats.com“Hot Take” by Harris Heller / Streambeats.com“Restart” by Harris Heller / Streambeats.comMouse click sound effect by Alexander: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/mouse-click-soundBell ring sound effect by Alexander: http://www.orangefreesounds.com/bell-sound-effect-ding---#writing#crazyrichasians#NaNoWriMo---
The Book Thief: how to write a prologue (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2020-09-28 | How the prologue of THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak delivers an impressionistic look at the plot ahead, without spoiling that plot or even setting it up. Also, how the prologue teaches us to read the novel’s unique narrative voice without interrupting the story’s dramatic action.TRANSCRIPT on Medium: medium.com/@hownovelstarts/how-the-prologue-of-the-book-thief-hooks-readers-b883a976f077FOLLOW AND SHARE on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts/status/1310600580134563842---SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---ADDITIONAL READING AND VIEWING* THE BOOK THIEF synopsis en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_Thief* My GAME OF THRONES video on prologues: youtu.be/8cuCfGcg7po* My LIFE OF PI video on first-person narration: youtu.be/FjUFM-3yjfc---ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So, instead, I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONSLike iconfreeiconspng.com/img/39121 Comment iconiconfinder.com/icons/298753/comment_icon Mouse pointer iconcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mouse-cursor-hand-pointer.svg Subscribe button - AlfredoCreatesalfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background - Ian Barnardhttp://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector---MUSIC AND SOUND ATTRIBUTIONS"July" by Kai Engel freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Chapter_Three__Warm/Kai_Engel_-_Chapter_Three_-_Warm_-_05_July"Behind Your Window" by Kai Engelfreemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Idea/Kai_Engel_-_Idea_-_04_Behind_Your_Window"Nothing" by Kai Engelfreemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Chapter_One__Cold/Kai_Engel_-_Chapter_One_-_Cold_-_09_Nothing_Bonus_TrackMouse click sound effecthttp://www.orangefreesounds.com/mouse-click-soundBell ring sound effecthttp://www.orangefreesounds.com/bell-sound-effect-ding---#writing#bookthief#NaNoWriMo
A Game of Thrones: how to write a prologue (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2020-09-17 | How the prologue of A GAME OF THRONES by George R. R. Martin breaks from the Tolkien model of starting with heavy exposition and world-building, and instead delivers a simple action scene with sympathetic characters—a scene that foreshadows the great conflicts of the novel and series.TRANSCRIPT on Medium: medium.com/@hownovelstarts/how-the-prologue-of-a-game-of-thrones-hooks-readers-2644137c054fFOLLOW AND SHARE on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts/status/1306675527198138369---SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---ADDITIONAL READING* A Game of Thrones synopsis en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Game_of_Thrones* Dramatic irony definition and examples en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony#Dramatic_irony---ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So, instead, I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONSLike iconfreeiconspng.com/img/39121 Comment iconiconfinder.com/icons/298753/comment_icon Mouse pointer iconcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mouse-cursor-hand-pointer.svg Subscribe button - AlfredoCreatesalfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background - Ian Barnardhttp://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector---MUSIC AND SOUND ATTRIBUTIONS"Sopor" by Kai Engelfreemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/ICD-10/Kai_Engel_-_ICD-10_-_04_Sopor_1952"Mercy" by Kai Engelfreemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_10_Mercy"Cold War Echo" by Kai Engelfreemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_07_Cold_War_EchoMouse click sound effecthttp://www.orangefreesounds.com/mouse-click-soundBell ring sound effecthttp://www.orangefreesounds.com/bell-sound-effect-ding---#writing#gameofthrones#grrm#NaNoWriMo
How Saga hooks readers: Starting with action (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2019-09-06 | How the comic series SAGA starts with a bang, dropping us into the middle of a story already in progress, and how its exposition delivers drama instead of information. Also, how SAGA's structure follows in the footsteps of the pilot episode of LOST and the opening of the first STAR WARS film.TRANSCRIPT on Medium: medium.com/@hownovelstarts/how-saga-hooks-readers-3b7c4fdd60fbFOLLOW AND SHARE on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts/status/1170026159591100416---SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---ADDITIONAL READING* Saga series synopsis http://bit.ly/2lYUq5J* In medias res definition and examples en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_medias_res* David Mamet bio en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Mamet* David Mamet's memo http://movieline.com/2010/03/23/david-mamets-memo-to-the-writers-of-the-unit* Lost series synopsis http://bit.ly/2lS7oC6---ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So, instead, I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---IMAGE AND VIDEO ATTRIBUTIONSGlitch footageyoutube.com/watch?v=FEFcfZvz8yYLike iconfreeiconspng.com/img/39121 Comment iconiconfinder.com/icons/298753/comment_icon Mouse pointer iconcommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mouse-cursor-hand-pointer.svg Subscribe button - AlfredoCreatesalfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background - Ian Barnardhttp://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector---MUSIC AND SOUND ATTRIBUTIONS“Please Listen Carefully” by Jahzzarhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jahzzar/Tumbling_Dishes_Like_Old-Mans_Wishes/Please_Listen_Carefully"Somnolence" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/ICD-10/Kai_Engel_-_ICD-10_-_01_Somnolence"Wake Up" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/The_Scope/Kai_Engel_-_The_Scope_-_06_Wake_Up"Passages" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/The_Run/Kai_Engel_-_The_Run_-_05_PassagesMouse click sound effecthttp://www.orangefreesounds.com/mouse-click-soundBell ring sound effecthttp://www.orangefreesounds.com/bell-sound-effect-ding---#writing#comics#saga#NaNoWriMo
How Hunger Games hooks readers: Bringing a premise to life (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2019-03-21 | How author Suzanne Collins creates a compelling high-concept premise in the opening chapter of The Hunger Games, how she brings that premise to life through character, world-building, and language, and how that premise conquered the literary world.TRANSCRIPT on Medium: medium.com/@hownovelstarts/how-the-hunger-games-hooks-readers-db6465fb932fSHARE on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts/status/1108882314988154880---SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---ADDITIONAL READING & VIEWING* Read Chapter 1 of The Hunger Games scholastic.com/content/dam/teachers/migrated-assets-not-associated-with-content/migrated-pdfs-and-other-files/hungergames-chapter1.pdf* The Hunger Games novel synopsis http://bit.ly/2Fnn8of* Suzanne Collins biography en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_Collins* Conversation with Suzanne Collins about the book scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/qa-hunger-games-author-suzanne-collins * 2014 list of most-highlighted passages on Kindle web.archive.org/web/20140704033430/kindle.amazon.com/most_popular* Analysis of Kindle's list of highlights vox.com/2014/6/8/5786196/7-things-the-most-highlighted-kindle-passages-tell-us-about-american* How J. K. Rowling starts Harry Potter: Voice vs. Exposition youtu.be/EGVJ9y5oD7c* Writer's Digest article on high-concept books: writersdigest.com/online-editor/writing-fiction-online-editor/what-is-and-isnt-high-concept-fiction-and-how-do-you-pitch-it* What is a high concept? Opposing thoughts on big movie ideas. youtu.be/c3vE5jpfBI0 * Why the YA dystopian craze finally burned out polygon.com/22449675/ya-dystopia-fad-ended---ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So, instead, I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---IMAGE AND VIDEO ATTRIBUTIONS"Theseus and the Minotaur" by Edward Burne-Jones commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edward_Burne-Jones_-_Tile_Design_-_Theseus_and_the_Minotaur_in_the_Labyrinth_-_Google_Art_Project.jpgErnest Hemingway photocommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ErnestHemingway.jpgArctic Iceberg, reflected - Annie Sprattunsplash.com/photos/N46IkbWUvMUGlitch footagehttp://www.mediafire.com/file/xgqd6i7qcxvdl7r/Screen+Glitch+-+Free+Stock+Footage.mp4Paper texturepexels.com/photo/blank-clean-color-empty-889087Paper texture - rawpixelunsplash.com/photos/V_zNGJKVIgoLike iconfreeiconspng.com/img/39121 Comment iconiconfinder.com/icons/298753/comment_icon Mouse cursor/pointer iconscommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mouse-cursor-hand-pointer.svg Subscribe button - AlfredoCreatesalfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background - Ian Barnardhttp://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector---MUSIC AND SOUND ATTRIBUTIONS"Low Horizon" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/The_Scope/Kai_Engel_-_The_Scope_-_08_Low_Horizon"Run" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/The_Run/Kai_Engel_-_The_Run_-_02_Run"Scenery" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/The_Run/Kai_Engel_-_The_Run_-_06_Scenery"Delirium" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/ICD-10/Kai_Engel_-_ICD-10_-_03_Delirium"Tumult" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/The_Run/Kai_Engel_-_The_Run_-_07_TumultMouse click sound effecthttp://www.orangefreesounds.com/mouse-click-soundBell ring sound effecthttp://www.orangefreesounds.com/bell-sound-effect-ding--#hungergames#writing#novel#NaNoWriMo
How The Road hooks readers: Rooting for the underdog (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2019-01-14 | How author Cormac McCarthy creates vulnerable characters that engage our emotions in his Pulitzer Prize–winning novel The Road. Also, how the literary theories of Greek philosopher Aristotle still apply today, and what the modern anti-hero gets right and wrong.TRANSCRIPT on Medium: http://bit.ly/TheRoadEssay UPDATES on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts---SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---ADDITIONAL READING & VIEWING* The Road novel synopsis en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Road* Cormac McCarthy biography en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cormac_McCarthy* The Road film http://bit.ly/2Frd25W* Cormac McCarthy speak to Oprah about The Road youtu.be/y3kpzuk1Y8I* Aristotle's treatise on dramatic storytelling http://bit.ly/2Fn8oqE* The overused trope of "fridging" to motivate characters to violent action tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/StuffedIntoTheFridge* A comparison of the morality in Greek tragedy with the Christian morality in Hamlet sparknotes.com/philosophy/poetics/section6 ---ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONS“The School of Athens” by Raffaello Sanzio da Urbinocommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%22The_School_of_Athens%22_by_Raffaello_Sanzio_da_Urbino.jpg“The Blind Oedipus Commending His Children to the Gods” by Bénigne Gagnerauxupload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Bénigne_Gagneraux%2C_The_Blind_Oedipus_Commending_his_Children_to_the_Gods.jpg“King Lear Act I Scene I” by Edwin Austin Abbeyupload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Edwin_Austin_Abbey_King_Lear%2C_Act_I%2C_Scene_I_The_Metropolitan_Museum_of_Art.jpgSubscribe button - AlfredoCreatesalfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background - Ian Barnardhttp://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector---MUSIC ATTRIBUTIONS“Virtutes Instrumenti” by Kevin MacLeodhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Classical_Sampler/Virtutes_Instrumenti“Global Warming” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_08_Global_Warming“Acoustic Meditation” by Jason Shawhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Jason_Shaw/Audionautix_Acoustic/ACOUSTIC_MEDITATION_________3-14---#writing#novel#underdog#NaNoWriMo
How Cloud Atlas hooks readers: Delivering the unexpected (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2018-11-21 | How author David Mitchell uses unexpected structure and unexpected language to hook readers in his novel Cloud Atlas. Plus, how the psychological concept of flow applies to great writing.TRANSCRIPT (with extras): http://bit.ly/CloudAtlasEssayUPDATES on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts—SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---ADDITIONAL READING & VIEWING* Cloud Atlas synopsis: http://bit.ly/2Q8kBEt* David Mitchell’s website: http://www.davidmitchellbooks.com* Cloud Atlas film: http://bit.ly/2A8HddT* Guardian article about David Mitchell and Cloud Atlas film adaptation theguardian.com/books/2013/feb/08/david-mitchell-project-great-experimenter* Flow definition http://bit.ly/2qUlwdq* Flow TED talk by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi youtube.com/watch?v=fXIeFJCqsPs* “Game of Thrones” TV series en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones* “A Game of Thrones” novel synopsis en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Game_of_Thrones—ABOUT THIS CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts—MUSIC ATTRIBUTIONS“Plague” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_09_Plague“Seeker” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/The_Run/Kai_Engel_-_The_Run_-_01_Seeker“daedalus” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Caeli/Kai_Engel_-_caeli_-_06_daedalus_1543—IMAGE ATTRIBUTIONSAsia map in old book - Kiwihugunsplash.com/photos/yZVBebc1GnEOceania (World Factbook)commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oceania_(World-Factbook).jpgBook, compass, travel and map - rawpixelunsplash.com/photos/JuNA3IQMAjYBook, library, bookshelf and shadow - Jason Wongunsplash.com/photos/PBNbMX6jtBMSubscribe button - AlfredoCreatesalfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background - Ian Barnardhttp://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector---#writing#NaNoWriMo#cloudatlas
How Neil Gaiman starts American Gods: Start of a new life (part 2) (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2018-08-14 | A big change in a character’s life sets them on a new path and a new story. It’s an effective way to hook a reader at the start of a novel. Let’s see how Neil Gaiman uses the start of a new life to hook readers in his novel “American Gods.”PART 1: youtu.be/dl5o7MmZ4oETRANSCRIPT on Medium: http://bit.ly/AmGodsEssayUPDATES on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts—SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---MORE ABOUT “AMERICAN GODS” AND NEIL GAIMANAmerican Gods book synopsis: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_GodsNeil Gaiman’s website: http://neilgaiman.comAmerican Gods (TV series): starz.com/series/americangods/episodesThe Iliad: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IliadThe Devil Wears Prada: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil_Wears_Prada_(novel)Moby-Dick: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby-DickThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amazing_Adventures_of_Kavalier_%26_ClayCoraline: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CoralineThe Night Gardener: thescop.comSpirited Away: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirited_Away—ABOUT THE CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts—MUSIC ATTRIBUTIONS“Anxiety” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/ICD-10/Kai_Engel_-_ICD-10_-_02_Anxiety_1425“Imminence” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/The_Run/Kai_Engel_-_The_Run_-_04_Imminence“Comatose” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/ICD-10/Kai_Engel_-_ICD-10_-_05_Comatose“Slum Canto” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_05_Slum_CantoIMAGE ATTRIBUTIONSAkhilleus Patroklos Antikensammlung Berlincommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Akhilleus_Patroklos_Antikensammlung_Berlin_F2278.jpgMosaico del Oecus Aquiles en Skyros altacommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:05-Mosaico_del_Oecus._Aquiles_en_Skyros_alta.jpgAchilles Briseis MAN Napoli Inv9105commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Achilles_Briseis_MAN_Napoli_Inv9105_n01.jpgAchilles Agamemnon Pompei mosaic NAMNaplescommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Achilles_Agamemnon_Pompei_mosaic_NAMNaples_10006.jpg The Wrath of Achilles by Peter Paul Reubenscommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peter_Paul_Rubens_-_The_Wrath_of_Achilles_-_Google_Art_Project.jpgSubscribe button by AlfredoCreates:alfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background:http://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector#writing#NaNoWriMo#americangods
How Neil Gaiman starts American Gods: Start of a new life (part 1) (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2018-08-14 | A big change in a character’s life sets them on a new path and a new story. It’s an effective way to hook a reader at the start of a novel. Let’s see how Neil Gaiman uses the start of a new life to hook readers in his novel “American Gods.”PART 2: youtu.be/DREEgT4WU-gTRANSCRIPT on Medium: http://bit.ly/AmGodsEssayUPDATES on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts—SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---MORE ABOUT “AMERICAN GODS” AND NEIL GAIMANAmerican Gods book synopsis: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_GodsNeil Gaiman’s website: http://neilgaiman.comAmerican Gods (TV series): starz.com/series/americangods/episodesThe Iliad: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IliadThe Devil Wears Prada: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Devil_Wears_Prada_(novel)Moby-Dick: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moby-DickThe Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Amazing_Adventures_of_Kavalier_%26_ClayCoraline: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CoralineThe Night Gardener: thescop.comSpirited Away: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirited_Away—ABOUT THE CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts—MUSIC ATTRIBUTIONS“Anxiety” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/ICD-10/Kai_Engel_-_ICD-10_-_02_Anxiety_1425“Imminence” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/The_Run/Kai_Engel_-_The_Run_-_04_Imminence“Comatose” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/ICD-10/Kai_Engel_-_ICD-10_-_05_Comatose“Slum Canto” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_05_Slum_CantoIMAGE ATTRIBUTIONSAkhilleus Patroklos Antikensammlung Berlincommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Akhilleus_Patroklos_Antikensammlung_Berlin_F2278.jpgMosaico del Oecus Aquiles en Skyros altacommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:05-Mosaico_del_Oecus._Aquiles_en_Skyros_alta.jpgAchilles Briseis MAN Napoli Inv9105commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Achilles_Briseis_MAN_Napoli_Inv9105_n01.jpgAchilles Agamemnon Pompei mosaic NAMNaplescommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Achilles_Agamemnon_Pompei_mosaic_NAMNaples_10006.jpg The Wrath of Achilles by Peter Paul Reubenscommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peter_Paul_Rubens_-_The_Wrath_of_Achilles_-_Google_Art_Project.jpgSubscribe button by AlfredoCreates:alfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1Blueprint background:http://www.ianbarnard.co.uk/free-blueprint-style-background-vector#writing#NaNoWriMo#americangods
How Susanna Clarke starts Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: Big questions (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2018-07-23 | How author Susanna Clarke asks the right questions to hook readers and drive the story in the opening chapter of her fantasy novel "Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell." Also, how the philosophy of Romanticism comes alive in the story and setting, and what writers can learn from kids cartoons.TRANSCRIPT on Medium: http://bit.ly/StrangeNorrellEssayUPDATES on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts—SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---ABOUT THE CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.—SOURCES AND ATTRIBUTIONS“Ghost Dance” by Kevin MacLeodhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Classical_Sampler/Ghost_Dance“Sonatina” by Kevin MacLeodhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Classical_Sampler/Sonatina“Mourning Song” by Kevin MacLeodhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Classical_Sampler/Mourning_Song“Evermore” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_06_Evermore“Trio for Piano, Violin and Viola” by Kevin MacLeodhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Classical_Sampler/Trio_for_Piano_Violin_and_Viola“Remedy For Melancholy” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Idea/Kai_Engel_-_Idea_-_06_Remedy_for_Melancholy“Sunset” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Idea/Kai_Engel_-_Idea_-_09_SunsetSubscribe button by AlfredoCreates:alfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1#writing#NaNoWriMo#fantasy
Learning from Life of Pi: The power of first-person narrators (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2018-07-07 | In Life of Pi, Yann Martel searches for the “spark that brings to life a real story.” Life of Pi itself uses first-person storytelling to light that spark. Let’s see how Yann Martel uses the power of first person in the opening chapters to hook the reader, and why the novel starts before the first page.TRANSCRIPT on Medium: http://bit.ly/LifeOfPiEssayUPDATES on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts—SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---ABOUT THE CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On HOW THE NOVEL STARTS, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work.—SOURCES AND ATTRIBUTIONS“Meekness” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_02_Meekness“April” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Chapter_Two__Mild/Kai_Engel_-_Chapter_Two_-_Mild_-_05_April“Parisian” by Kevin MacLeodhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Global_Sampler/Parisian“Haratanaya Sree” by Veena Kinhalhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Veena_Kinhal/Tribute_to_Veena_Raja_Rao/Haratanaya_Sree“Oecumene Sleeps” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Better_Way/Kai_Engel_-_Better_Way_-_08_Oecumene_Sleeps“Denouement” by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/The_Run/Kai_Engel_-_The_Run_-_09_Denouement“Quiet Raga” by Nimisha Shankarhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Nimisha_Shankar/Golden_Chants_from_India/Quiet-Raga-Nimisha-ShankarSubscribe button by AlfredoCreates:alfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1#writing#NaNoWriMo#lifeofpi
How the first Harry Potter novel hooked readers: Voice vs. Exposition (video essay) How The Novel Starts 2018-06-26 | How the first three chapters of "The Philosopher's Stone" hooked readers, agents, and editors, using voice, mystery, and nostalgia.TRANSCRIPT on Medium: medium.com/@hownovelstarts/harry-potter-opening-chapter-tips-6c9e36449c8fUPDATES on Twitter: twitter.com/hownovelstarts—SUPPORT THE CHANNEL on Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/howthenovelstarts---ABOUT THE CHANNELWhat’s the best way to start a story? What makes readers, agents, and publishers take a chance on our book? What holds their attention? There’s plenty of advice out there on how to write a first chapter, but so much of it is generic. So, instead, I went looking for concrete examples in great books. On How The Novel Starts, I explore the opening chapters of popular novels, and figure out what writers can learn from them for their own work. —SOURCES AND ATTRIBUTIONSPhoto by Annie Sprattunsplash.com/photos/-9vMBjrU-RA"Snowmen" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Chapter_One__Cold/Kai_Engel_-_Chapter_One_-_Cold_-_04_Snowmen"Divertissement" by Kevin MacLeodhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Classical_Sampler/Divertissement"Gagool" by Kevin MacLeodhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Contemporary_Sampler/Gagool"The Forest and the Trees" by Kevin MacLeodhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kevin_MacLeod/Contemporary_Sampler/The_Forest_and_the_Trees"Brand New World" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Sustains/Kai_Engel_-_Sustains_-_01_Brand_New_World"modum" by Kai Engelhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Kai_Engel/Caeli/Kai_Engel_-_caeli_-_07_modum_1636Subscribe button by AlfredoCreates:alfredocreates.com/youtube-subscribe-button-free-download-1----#writing#harrypotter#NaNoWriMo
