Let’s face it: when you send your writing off in the hopes it will be
published, every word is important. You wouldn’t give yourself permission to get
sloppy after page 37, assuming the editor can handle choppy prose or “inventive”
spelling if she made it that far. But what you may not realize is that the
beginning of your manuscript is by far the most important part because it
will encourage an editor to read on or to toss the whole thing aside.
After all, you may have crafted an admirable middle or a breathtaking ending,
but no one will get there if your beginning is mediocre.
Despite the fact
that more books are being published than ever before, the publishing world is
more competitive than ever before. Agents and editors are inundated with
staggering heaps of unsolicited manuscripts, and it is physically impossible for
them to plow through — in their entirety — every one. The beginning is the
only chance you have to make the right impression.
Face it, unless you have
to, how often do you push through a book when you’re under-whelmed by the
beginning?
Which brings us to some rules for great beginnings. There are
exceptions to every rule, of course, but often those exceptions are only
successful in the hands of experienced writers or those with multi-book deals.
For the writers who make up the majority, it pays to heed what the current
market demands.
Make your beginning shine:
~Start with
action.
“Action” doesn’t necessarily mean a fist fight or an explosion or
a sky-dive gone awry. Action means starting your book or story at a compelling
place, with a scene, with something at stake for your characters. Look closely
and you may find that you have pages of material that shouldn’t be in the
beginning. They fill in some important blanks for readers, but that back story
can safely be moved to somewhere after your opening.
Don’t start your story
with history — start it with a riveting now that grabs the reader by the
collar and doesn’t let him/her turn away.
~Never put dialogue or straight
description in your opening lines.
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College Searching Tips
If you are even thinking about going to college in the next few years, visiting your potential colleges is one of the most important steps that you can take. Just like you wouldn't buy a car without going for a test drive, you would be amazed at what you can learn about a school in just a few hours. So, to help you get started, here are some tips to make the most of your visits:
-Start by visiting one type of each college you are considering. For instance, if you are not sure whether you would like a smaller or larger college, visit a couple of schools that are close by that represent each type, like a large public school and then a smaller private school. At least now, you'll have something to compare.
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The Value of a Written Thank You
Sending a thank you card is a great way to build and maintain a business or personal relationship. It can be simple and to the point, yet still pack a punch with the receiver in demonstrating that you are a sharing and
caring person. In our impersonal world, the simple act of saying "thank you" is very powerful.
When is a Thank You card appropriate to send? Certainly after any business meeting where you have been introduced to ore met someone for the first time is very appropriate. If someone has gone out of there way to give you a "random act of kindness" this certainly warrants a Thank You card as well.
More importantly, there are many people in our lives that we take for granted that never hear the word "thank you" from anyone. Who do you come in contact with that deserves a heartfelt "thank you". Could it be a teacher, family member who lives far away, a retired coach, a bank teller, or hairdresser?
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