Marketing for Romance Writers Magazine February 2018 MFRW Magazine Vol. 1 Issue 2 | Page 29

WELL BEGUN IS WELL DONE (Cont.)
By: Alice Orr
6. This scene must at least suggest that
something important is at stake for
my character in this story, and pref-
erably for others, too. What, specifi-
cally, are the dire circumstances that
will result if my character fails to suc-
ceed in this story?
7. Obstacles to that success must al-
ready be evident in this scene. What
specific obstacles to that success are
already evident, or at least hinted at,
in this scene?
8. My main character must make a con-
scious decision to act in response to
the situation in this scene, and that
decision sets the action of the story
in motion. What, specifically, is that
decision? How does it set the story in
motion?
9. My character must be a person with
whom the reader will wish to iden-
tify, motivated to act by something
the reader can relate to and find sym-
pathetic. How, specifically, does my
character fulfill these expectations?
10. Finally, the action of the story must
begin immediately in this scene.
How, specifically, does that happen
in my story?
Reread these Ten Crucial Ques-
tions. Think about them in terms of your
story. Be hard-nosed and demanding
with yourself, and with
your story, as you an-
swer each one. If your
responses are not solid
and dramatic, your
story opening is not
solid and dramatic, and
you must change it to
be so.
Feeling a little overwhelmed? Stream
the opening of Casablanca. Take notes on
how simply all of this is managed there,
and be specific yet again. While you are
doing that: “Here‟s looking at you, kid.”
Biography:
Alice Orr is the author of sixteen novels, three novellas, a memoir, and No More Re-
jections: 50 Secrets to Writing a Manuscript That Sells. A former book editor and literary agent,
Alice now lives her dream as a full-time writer. She has two grown children and two per-
fect grandchildren and resides with her husband Jonathan in New York City.
Alice‟s latest book, A Time of Fear & Loving—Riverton Romantic Suspense Book Five, is
available HERE.
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