Reader questions and feedback on writing issues. Also refer to fiction, non-fiction, movies, TV, screenplay, life story, plot, publish, techniques, career, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Writing:
Reader Interest
The following 2 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
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Writing a fiction book
Question
August 10, 2007
Dear school of champions, my name is David vega. I started writing a fiction book a few days ago, And I dont know if I have to show it to an editor, or just keep writng until I finish my book and then show it? I am hoping that you may tell me so that I may know what I have to do. Thank you very much
DAVID - USA
14180
Answer
To sell a fiction book, you usually need to go through a literary agent, who will then take your material to publishers. You can also approach publishers yourself. In either case, you first need to send a query letter, stating in a paragraph or two, what your book is about and perhaps something about your background. You could include a one-page summary of your story.
If there is some interest, you can send a sample chapter to show your writing style and ability. In the meantime, you continue to write your book.
When you finish your book, you can hire an editor to go over it and fine-tune the writing. If a publisher has shown interest, they will use their own editors.
Get the book "The Writer's Handbook" in a bookstore or from the library for a listing of agents and publishers, as well as articles on selling your work.
Best wishes on finishing and selling your fiction book.
Not sure I agree on conclusion
Question
April 20, 2006
I've just read your lesson "Getting the Reader's Interest." It makes very much sense to draw the curiosity to the material he/she - as a reader - has chosen to examine whether it's worthy reading or not. However, in many fictions you can't just give away the conclusion can you? The whole point of a story is the resolution. If you concluded it, then the reader might as well think he/she understands the document. In other words I disagree with you to conclude the literature in the opening (not in an essay of course). Rather, I think one as a writer should have a foreshadowing or reveal a conflict that is left unsolved until, at least, later in the story. I don't know whether this is good or not, but it is my philosophy to write a fictional account. Hopefully you'd reply as soon as possible and finally thank you for taking your time reading this.
Francis - USA
10895
Answer
Although you have to grab the person's interest in fiction, you also usually want to keep them guessing on the outcome. In the final pages of a piece of fiction, you can bring the story to a resolution or conclusion. But note that some fiction stories will leave the reader hanging. Alfred Hitchcock often had stories with no real ending. They left the reader or viewer to guess at what would happen.
The main idea in this essay was that your title and opening pages get the attention and interest of the reader. The title will get the reader to pick up the book off the shelves. The opener will get the interest to continue reading.
See the Screenplay Paradigm at:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/writing/screenparadigm.htm to see the method of plot development in a screenplay. It also can apply to books.
Best wishes in your writing.
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