tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post5111540016541622603..comments2023-06-28T06:36:14.559-06:00Comments on Tess Hilmo: How To Start A NovelTesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-18767239562580196982010-03-19T14:07:34.769-06:002010-03-19T14:07:34.769-06:00this is a very evocative analogy, I wonder how it ...this is a very evocative analogy, I wonder how it applies to short stories, which are all about moments of change and overturningEeleen Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15221723342556515161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-82508029769677585072010-03-19T11:00:33.020-06:002010-03-19T11:00:33.020-06:00Tess, I found your blog through Caroline Starr Ros...Tess, I found your blog through Caroline Starr Rose's blog, and while I was enlightened by this post, I was even more excited to read your excerpt from your soon-to-be-published novel. I think I remember it from a MSFV Secret Agent Contest. I'm pretty sure I was one of the contestants at the same time. Congratulations on making it to publication. I'm so happy and excited for you!<br /><br />And really, thanks for the great post. I'd never thought about it this way before. I'm going back to my WiP with this in mind. :)<br /><br />AmyA.L. Sonnichsenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11358456786727534289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-1434092143808785332010-03-16T11:22:00.025-06:002010-03-16T11:22:00.025-06:00I think my line is what Genna will do when she fin...I think my line is what Genna will do when she finds out that the last ten years have been for nothing. I think. I'm going to have to check. Excellent post.Anne Gallagherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05816355522284492131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-43018265945613311612010-03-14T17:19:57.752-06:002010-03-14T17:19:57.752-06:00Jackee: sounds like a great premise for a book.
...Jackee: sounds like a great premise for a book. <br /><br />Sarah: hooray! so glad you like it. It was by far my favorite read of 09. I heard DreamWorks bought the movie rights. That made me happy because I know (hope!) they'll do it justice. I wonder what she will write next...Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-45194487444823373182010-03-14T11:56:35.533-06:002010-03-14T11:56:35.533-06:00Tess, I'm so sorry to hijack the post, but I f...Tess, I'm so sorry to hijack the post, but I finally got my hands on <i>The Help</i>. When you praised it ages ago, I put a hold on it at our library. I'm reading it now and, oh my word, what an amazing book! <br /><br />Just wanted to let you know...Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06909176210194176373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-5826824726899719962010-03-14T11:11:47.660-06:002010-03-14T11:11:47.660-06:00What a beautiful way to put it! And how cool is th...What a beautiful way to put it! And how cool is that, you got it right the next day?! Thanks for sharing the story. <br /><br />My line is that my two MCs seem adventure-loving, fancy-free, trouble-makers right at first, but really they're just two kids who crave a home, love, and stability.Jackeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03351019926958000627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-78413730678402053322010-03-13T13:46:37.752-07:002010-03-13T13:46:37.752-07:00lotusgirl: fantastic :)
LT Elliot: it's somet...lotusgirl: fantastic :)<br /><br />LT Elliot: it's something to consider, at least.<br /><br />Mary: very interesting ... how are baseball and piano alike? discipline? practice? form?<br /><br />PJ: yes, and something I tend to forget and need to remind myself of frequently.<br /><br />Sharon: it was a blessing in my life. For the honest feedback and assistance and also for meeting the Wad :)<br /><br />Susan: I think it was.<br /><br />Terresa: sure! why not share the bumps and joys and lessons? it makes them more worthwile, somehow.<br /><br />Mary: hope it helped :)Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-12439356562352308752010-03-13T09:58:33.614-07:002010-03-13T09:58:33.614-07:00Wow! I'm not sure my beginning has this. I nee...Wow! I'm not sure my beginning has this. I need to go read it again...Mary E Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13119298615414367828noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-60528561237757771972010-03-12T23:57:54.688-07:002010-03-12T23:57:54.688-07:00Thank you for sharing your growing experience with...Thank you for sharing your growing experience with us. I am currently working on drawing that very line in the sand. Thank you for this!!*https://www.blogger.com/profile/06484208765656281917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-75735636998104250502010-03-12T21:36:44.412-07:002010-03-12T21:36:44.412-07:00I remember that night you stayed up all night. Sou...I remember that night you stayed up all night. Sounds like it was time well spent. :) Okay, now you've got me rethinking my opening...hmm.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-6797220891945079662010-03-12T21:34:26.829-07:002010-03-12T21:34:26.829-07:00Tess--I remember your reaction to Patti's crit...Tess--I remember your reaction to Patti's critique and then you hibernating...I was justing looking at my notes from one of her workshops. :) What a wonderful adventure we had together...Sharon K. Mayhewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07799235347319851345noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-20521411473943302732010-03-12T20:53:17.930-07:002010-03-12T20:53:17.930-07:00Great post, Tess. Asking why the reader will care ...Great post, Tess. Asking why the reader will care is such an important question.PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-62642616562160343422010-03-12T18:06:47.495-07:002010-03-12T18:06:47.495-07:00Wow. Thank you. I really, really needed this advic...Wow. Thank you. I really, really needed this advice, like, right now.MG Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03584010470283038023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-18715642964348005172010-03-12T16:39:29.699-07:002010-03-12T16:39:29.699-07:00I used this technique in my short story for the Hi...I used this technique in my short story for the Highlights contest. It's the first line of the story: Playing the piano is nothing like playing baseball.<br /><br />In my drama...I don't think I have it clearly stated, yet. Will keep it in mind though as the story takes flesh.Mary Aalgaardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08051735579638637382noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-72945325496263509962010-03-12T15:38:30.245-07:002010-03-12T15:38:30.245-07:00I think I've got my overturned thing going on ...I think I've got my overturned thing going on but the line needs refining. ;)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-44525728357860336232010-03-12T13:38:27.391-07:002010-03-12T13:38:27.391-07:00I've gone back now and added a line. The line....I've gone back now and added a line. The line. Thanks. It really helps. Go figure.lotusgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06663641163048764869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-32921040165432339332010-03-12T13:33:13.645-07:002010-03-12T13:33:13.645-07:00DL: Interesting description of your line. I like a...DL: Interesting description of your line. I like a whammo at the end of a chapter.<br /><br />Crystal: how interesting. don't you think life is fortuitous like that? And, yes, it was an amazing opportunity to have Patti's insight and help.<br /><br />Robyn: you will and it'll be great! have a good unplug week (I might unplug next week too)<br /><br />Glam: yes, you have a great opening and I do know who you know who is (okay, that was fun to say/type). :)<br /><br />Tamika: The important thing to remember is that it does not have to be big or fancy ... just a simple line that the reader will think "Hmmmm" about. As the examples show, it's just one sentence.<br /><br />Lotusgirl: I can't take credit since I got it from the conference, but I agree it's good stuff.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-19398376660887820782010-03-12T13:07:45.653-07:002010-03-12T13:07:45.653-07:00Wow. My mind is reeling. Fantastic post. Amazing a...Wow. My mind is reeling. Fantastic post. Amazing advice. *digs through my first page in my mind hunting for the line* I've got to go now and check. I never thought about it in those terms.lotusgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06663641163048764869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-42544572301582704882010-03-12T13:05:41.323-07:002010-03-12T13:05:41.323-07:00You've given me a lot to think about. This mak...You've given me a lot to think about. This makes perfect sense, and wise to apply. My initial thoughts on the opening were just to grab the reader, jump right into the action. <br /><br />After reading this post, it may need a lot more than that to stand.Tamika:https://www.blogger.com/profile/04874834971492028558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-19824209959466548962010-03-12T11:18:05.658-07:002010-03-12T11:18:05.658-07:00Wow, tough question! I'm assuming my opening w...Wow, tough question! I'm assuming my opening works since you know who said it was good and was interested in it, but then again, he has passed it all up, so maybe it ISN'T working. Who knows. The line in the sand for my book is that the character's life will always be the same no matter what he does to try and change it.Michelle D. Argylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09696465137285587646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-37547496469626452842010-03-12T10:43:48.596-07:002010-03-12T10:43:48.596-07:00I have struggled with that opening for oh so many ...I have struggled with that opening for oh so many months. And over time it has gotten better. But I am tweaking it again to make sure. Gotta make sure. Great post.<br /><br />I am unplugging next week. See you after that. Happy weekend and happy writing Tess. (^_^)Robyn Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356555082768185840noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-53842797781285296992010-03-12T10:33:42.873-07:002010-03-12T10:33:42.873-07:00Love, love, this post, Tess! It's so funny tha...Love, love, this post, Tess! It's so funny that you should write on this because just yesterday I was going over the first chapter of my novel and took out the first line for this very reason: it was not compelling enough. So I'm really glad that you explored it further in this post. Maybe, just maybe, I'm on the right track . . . <br /><br />Also, what an AMAZING experience you had at that Highlights workshop . . . to get critiqued (whether good or bad) by Patti Gauch is like THE ULTIMATE, and you were able to learn from it and apply it to your work. And look where you are now! Thanks SO MUCH for sharing what you learned from her . . . I look forward to your notes on middles & ends! :)Crystalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09968456960528987538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-61915450677984924422010-03-12T10:18:48.687-07:002010-03-12T10:18:48.687-07:00My line does not run hortizontally. Its vertical ...My line does not run hortizontally. Its vertical and it runs the entire length of my first chapter. In it I attempt to develop a relationship between the reader and the main character (of that chapter), and at the end of the chapter the line turns horizontal. Thats when I sucker punch the reader and make them answer a question. Do I want to know why?<br /><br />This is an excellent post that raises very pertinent issues. Thanks for sharing your experiences.DL Hammonshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02007260062331783715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-17179139474870396532010-03-12T09:25:17.956-07:002010-03-12T09:25:17.956-07:00storyqueen: I had forgotten till I pulled out the...storyqueen: I had forgotten till I pulled out the notes and said, oh, yes :)<br /><br />Kristen: it is hard to get there, at least for me. glad I'm not alone in that.<br /><br />SolvangSherrie: it was an amazing learning experience<br /><br />Susan: yes! I have a series of posts on the start middle and ends coming up<br /><br />Amy: nah, you don't mean that. I love her. Seriously, she did me the biggest favor ever by being honest and forthright. And, she didn't leave me hanging. She said what was wrong and then helped me fix it. that was an invaluable experience and I wouldn't change a thing.<br /><br />Caroline: great!<br /><br />Danyelle: I can't take credit for it, but will agree it is super helpful.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599945087910073527.post-24155153023483084782010-03-12T09:06:25.469-07:002010-03-12T09:06:25.469-07:00Tess, this is completely brilliant! I totally agre...Tess, this is completely brilliant! I totally agree. Thank you for sharing.Danyelle L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10366276085080565870noreply@blogger.com