tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274987097756433491.post5887138954926568887..comments2024-03-05T11:26:21.204-06:00Comments on All the World's Our Page: Good beginningsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274987097756433491.post-22066292070587965292011-12-10T03:52:19.790-06:002011-12-10T03:52:19.790-06:00Jill, I don't think I knew you'd worked in...Jill, I don't think I knew you'd worked in a circus- how fascinating is that :) There was a real sense of authenticity to both of those settings, even for a reader with only passing acquaintance with both. I think that's because her characters were simple but perfectly rounded- their motivations were neatly set up and their reactions to everything were true to themselves. <br /><br />Funny, but when I wrote this blog post, I hadn't read the ending- and I loved the ending maybe even more than I loved the beginning. Absolutely brilliant.Claire Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15286952159573145712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274987097756433491.post-2093186509697847522011-12-10T03:42:04.847-06:002011-12-10T03:42:04.847-06:00I didn't know Water for Elephants was a NaNo n...I didn't know Water for Elephants was a NaNo novel. Now I'm doubly impressed. That was the first novel in a long long time that has grabbed me and kept me on the ride from beginning to end. <br /><br />I must be one of the only people in the world though who has worked in both the places the story was set, a rest home and a circus. She had her background and nuances of both, just exactly right. <br /><br />I love that book.Jill McCawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17811882520145188955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274987097756433491.post-82632017709195144552011-11-29T17:41:20.785-06:002011-11-29T17:41:20.785-06:00It's that not telling the reader too much part...It's that not telling the reader too much part that I like, and what makes it feel to me like dropping in in medias res. She wrote it as if we already know all we need to to make sense of the scene (like all the rest was explained in the preceding chapter, if only it existed), and she dropped in those details that ground but don't distract or dilute, as you would do in a scene from chapter two or seven when the story is rolling along. That takes SKILL and a discernment that I hope one day to master.Lori Bentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04714197239425827339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274987097756433491.post-39135179961854921792011-11-28T22:27:43.984-06:002011-11-28T22:27:43.984-06:00Lori, that is the first paragraph :)
She achieves...Lori, that is the first paragraph :)<br /><br />She achieves something important with it- she does drop the reader right into the story without any warm up, but she also does it in such a way that you don't find yourself stumbling around, confused about where you are. You're with a particular person, in a particular place, and you're anchored by a dented tin plate and a burger, amongst other things. It lets you get your bearings without trying to tell you too much in advance, but it also sets you on a moving train.Claire Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15286952159573145712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274987097756433491.post-58182162426171145392011-11-28T21:49:13.930-06:002011-11-28T21:49:13.930-06:00What I like about that paragraph (aside from what ...What I like about that paragraph (aside from what you've stated) is there's no warm up. It could have been lifted from any chapter in the book. She drops you into the story and off you go. <br /><br />I haven't read the book, that's just my impression of the first paragraph. IS that the first paragraph? :)Lori Bentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04714197239425827339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274987097756433491.post-35241007591152179262011-11-28T12:42:40.752-06:002011-11-28T12:42:40.752-06:00~a definite sense that I'm progressing through...~a definite sense that I'm progressing through a story-in-progress- not just waiting around for one to start~<br /><br />Inspiring start to my Monday, Claire. Thank you!Scarletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02194637248895827402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2274987097756433491.post-49044895089875424142011-11-28T10:39:17.002-06:002011-11-28T10:39:17.002-06:00I read Water for Elephants just a few months ago -...I read Water for Elephants just a few months ago - and I agree, it's the voice that gets you right away.<br />Bad grammar is always a turn off for me [g] especially if I'm reading slush-pile mode. But as usual, a great voice and intriguing story will triumph even over misplaced modifiers and missing apostrophes.Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.com