Crafting the Perfect Opening Chapter

When it comes to writing, nothing creates a first impression like the first pages of your book. There are multiple elements which should be carefully examined before assuming you will capture your readers' attention.

Does your opening sentence captivate?
Does the character you introduce bring your reader to want to know more about that character?
How well are your words distributed?
Does your vocabulary overwhelm or underwhelm?
Are your descriptions over-descriptive or under-descriptive?
Does your opening chapter leave the reader wanting to read the next one right away? (cliffhanger, etc.)

These are a few questions to ask yourself about every opening piece of each chapter. Especially the first and the last ones. Never oversell or undersell your abilities. Always write for a wide audience with varying vocabularies and reading prowess. (or at least try) Never begin all or even most of your sentences with the same words. This is because the page itself becomes dull to look at. Let alone to read.

Appreciate the curvature and flow of the words themselves and how the architecture of the page appears. Does it look like a child wrote it or does it coalesce with the rest of the movement of your words. Each question should be addressed and every detail looked at thoroughly.



Here is an example of a solid opening page...

                                                             Hard Summer Rain

                    "The deepest of passions run through the purest states of being."

Alexs’ mind was lit up by the veins of lightning travelling across the veil. Karina’s body was set ablaze by his passions which ran so deep for the storms’ awe that Karina’s heart was magnetically pulled to Alex’s proverbial ship of dreams. Her only defense was one so simple, yet so poignant, that he could but venture forth toward his own private destinations of feeling.

No matter how hard they both fought it; sooner or later their powderkeg would explode into an inferno of primal desire. Both were trying to do the right thing. They had rolled into the hotel, sideways and barely kicking. Now, only a few weeks had gone by and their dim light from the past had become a beacon of the now, so powerful and pure that their bodies sought shelter from each other.

 

In the confines of a small suite at a mid-scale hotel in the heart of Miami, Florida; the couple shared numerous heartfelt moments containing all range of emotions and of feelings.

The sky wore bleak, like an ominous call to the darkest of lands. Thunder rumbled across the mid-day skyline. Nothing but the cry of free spirits rolled through the density of the winding, sun scorched backdrop of clouds, reflecting all manner of forms. A whirlwind of gusty rain arrowed its way down from the heavens and pelted the soil with a voracious appetite.

The point gets across. Words are not minced. They describe vividly whats going. Who it involves, what they are feeling and what their intentions are. It sets the stage to keep reading. Great books keep this pace the entire book. Instead of trying to be perfect. Get your point across in a full book first. Then go back and re-write again and again until you are happy. Say what is going on and cover the main points. The rest will bubble forth after you get the frame written.

If you have any questions dont hesitate to ask me. Follow me on Twitter @chrisstormbooks and also at @reach_storm. Facebook.com/AuthorChristopherStorm

Robin Williams: My Tribute to THE Face of Comedy

Dead Poet's Society

Good Morning Vietnam

From the time I was a small child, I joyfully recall the energized visage of this man dancing across the television screen. His humor was beyond infectious. You could never hold back roars of laughter so hard that your face hurt and your stomach was in knots from ceaseless bouts of pleasantly painful outbursts.

No other comedian has ever lived who held the comedic bar nearly so high as Robin. He ruled on high from the throne of fun, ridiculous antics, and hilarious impressions that left the planet in stitches.

His acting ability could leave you speechless & wondering how someone so perfect at humor was also so awe-inspiring at beautiful & profound drama. 

Mr Williams' beautiful & inspirational performance in Dead Poet's Society left a mark on my soul so deep that my path to destiny in the realm of writing had no choice but to be realized.

What Dreams May Come was a stunning world that was masterfully woven & only somewhat received its place in Hollywood infamy. Robin graced the screen in ways yet to ever be seen. Gorgeous themes of artwork, superb writing, & a cast whose synergy was all held together by his portrayal of a man who had lost everything in order to realize an afterlife none could have previously imagined. 

He wowed audiences in Good Will Hunting with his display of stunning wisdom & masterful wit. Matched by no other in believability & the quirky comeback; his performance proved that he was as versatile as he was lovable.

From Mork & Mindy to Patch Adams. Good Morning Vietnam to Jumanji. Regardless of what moments are your favorite, we can all agree that few other entertainers belong in the sky high echelons Robin Williams felt so comfortable in.

He ran circles around even the most renowned comics by delivering two solid hours of stand up at 60 years of age while others, often half that age, struggled to put forth a decent 30 minute set. Full of exuberance at all times; Robin Williams loved making others feel happy and after seeing him in action, you were guaranteed to be smiling for days on end. 

I sincerely had tears stream from my eyes as I wrote this humble ode to such a prominent icon of our time. This was brief as I am certain he wants us all to rejoice & remember him for his laughter & touching moments. Heaven is now a far more funnier & joyful place with the likes of Robin Williams to grace its halls...  You are both greatly missed & loved. Rest In Peace, good friend. 

By Christopher Storm


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Good Will Hunting

Ghostwriting And You: Whoring Your Creative Inkstick For Someone Else's Gain

Are you a writer who keeps busy by way of penning other peoples' ideas for them? Do you find yourself giving away your talents for less than what they are worth? I used to believe that ghostwriting was a great way to make money for myself, but then inquiries became more complex and demanding. The gears of my inner world began turning and then I had an epiphany...

"What in God's name am I doing?!"

It's one thing to write a short story or edit someone's work and add some needed flair for a quick and easy gig. But the whole ball game changes when someone wants you to write a beautiful, detailed Fantasy novel for them. You open up the floodgates of your magical mind-pen and spill oceans of your creative life force onto hundreds of pages. You finally finish the project and feel a great sense of accomplishment and then, suddenly, it hits you... "Someone else's name is going on this book."

You just spent a solid two to four weeks writing a beautiful story for the world to enjoy and nobody is ever allowed to know that you wrote it! To put it mildly, you are selling yourself short. Cutting yourself off at the knees, leaving yourself at the perfect height for anyone with a month's rent to buy your valuable services for a pittance compared to the potential sum to be made if you advertised and sold it on Amazon, even if just as an e-book.

Have some self-respect and believe in your ability. I would rather write something great and perfect it and wait a year to release it than write something in a month and the client be raking in triple or even much higher if it catches word of mouth like wildfire. At least I get credit for my work, build my portfolio, and gain recognition for my well placed creative efforts.

Intellectual property is a tremendously valuable asset. Especially in the world of writing. Something you wrote in your early twenties and protected with copyright could net you tons of cash in the long term. If a niche opens up and demand increases then perhaps it could make you wealthy with the right marketing later on in life. Just because something doesn't explode into a best-seller overnight doesn't mean it will never become one.

Protect your projects like a newborn baby. Be willing to destroy anyone who steals your efforts and tries to profit from them. People don't succeed by giving away all their best products. They leverage it and stack up residual income over the long term. Even if you are a sub-par writer; Having a hundred sorry-ass ebooks that bring ten sales each per month will bring you a thousand dollars at only taking in a dollar per download.

I know I come across as harsh and cold but at least I speak the truth. I hope that my growing list of readers are gaining the "tough love" style of literary wisdom I impart via StrikeWrite. Sometimes, stabbing people with the tines of honesty trumps massaging them with the sweet cream of warm fuzzies.

By Christopher Storm

Defining Inspiration: Capturing Your Inner Magi

We all live in a world of definitions and labels. The main problem is that most everyone follows societies' "norm" when it comes to stereotypes, labels, and how we are coerced into believing what something must mean. I am here to tell you that the only rules in life are the ones you place on yourself. Too many writers have succumbed to the pressure of not finding their unique voice. It is my firm belief that this is due to how people keep themselves closed in with a pool of sharks symbolizing the few ways they believe inspiration can come to them.

The notorious "writers block" is nothing more than this very concept gone to extremes. When we writers allow others to define the world we live in and the rules we are supposed to live by, along with the descriptions given to us by the iron hand of life; it closes us in and forces us to feel as if there is no hope in creating something magnificent. If you are to become successful in the world that is creation via words, you must be sure to dive into the pool of sharks carrying a harpoon and a ladder. Writing is fun but it also will eat you alive if you don't get a hold of your primal instincts.

I have never experienced true writers block. I have experienced the death throes of procrastination, but only because I may not have been as excited about my current project as when I embarked upon its genesis. If you do not attack your ideas with vigor and assassination instinct then they will run away and find someone else to bless with the power of the magi.

Ideas are to be fed and nurtured once captured. The only way to afford yourself the toll of keeping such precious animals is to steel your will to succeed. This is done by belief. The steadfast belief that you are already a stellar depiction of your best talents. Fuck what other people say. If you know your value then keep at it. The material will come once you convince yourself that you are great. That you and your magi have already woven worlds of great wonder and brilliance.

We all are wizards. Magicians. Weavers of dreams and lands untold. Some have a natural way in doing so. Some were meant to be more on the physical side of life. Creating harmony in other ways. The rules only apply to people who are too afraid to keep them in their own little space while we do what the hell we want. As long as nobody else gets hurt then no other rule or "norm" applies.

So, grab hold of your inner magician. Force him or her to open their mind and show you your true potential. If society tells you that cigarettes or coffee are no good for you and you want to smoke 3 packs a day and down a liter of coffee to finish your manuscript then do it! If someone tells you that you are crazy to go to the laundry-mat at 4 a.m and work on your dreams, then flip them off, grab your notebooks and pens and get crackin'.

How you find your inspiration is just as limitless as how you write your characters or worlds. It only matters that you do, in fact, find it. It's best to release anything you've been told about the writing process if they haven't served you. Do things in odd ways and create your own writing exercises. Flex your writing brain any way you can dream up. Good material will come when it is meant to. Ease up on routines if you need to. Back away from your project and start another one for a while. Do anything and everything differently and then unique material will flow from you like a geyser and crash into the world with such ferocity that every creative corporation out there will be willing to sell their soul to be a part of your team on your way to global notoriety.

The final piece of advice I can and will always give anyone who wants to write for a living is this. If you have been barely getting by for ages and never found your way to the top or at least a fair amount of success then it is time to revisit your motivation. Are you beginning to hate what you used to love? Have you tried stepping outside your comfort genre? Is there a place you have always wanted to travel but never found the time to do so? If you approach such questions honestly then you owe it to yourself to be honest about what you do. If your heart beats slower than it used to and excitement has fled for the hills then it comes down to two choices. Shake it up or hang it up. Life is too short to live miserably and not take chances. There is nothing wrong with stopping what you used to love. We all go through processes of great change. The rigors of life sometimes show us things that we need to take heed and bask in its symbolism.


If your magi has grown old and lost its lust for creation and all you have been doing is bleeding it so dry that all which comes out is the dust of defeat and the webs of denial then it is time to allow it to be at peace so that you yourself can find peace of mind and live life in other ways. Never hang it up unless you have exhausted all your options. Sometimes the way to best be inspired is to venture into the jungle of the unknown, armed with the sharp wand of wisdom from days past. Just be sure to bring that ladder of willpower from the pool in case the panther of carnage smells your uncertainty...

By Christopher Storm

"Unputdownable": Capturing And Keeping Your Readers' Attention

I've spoken of the generality of the importance of universal appeal in all details related to your writing. I think now is a great time to discuss the actual methods that great writers use to keep their reader glued to the pages of their books.

In non-fiction, there are fewer ways to perform this task. The key things to keep in mind are research, uniqueness, and the spreading of information. The more research you do about your given topic choice, the more material choice you will have to include in your work. The more unique and obscure your information about the topic, the more it sets you apart from the other books written about the same subject. Lastly, the more you spread out the unique and lesser-known facts pertaining to your subject; The better job of making your work stand out above the rest.

With fiction, obviously, the sky is the limit. But, the less an imagination you have, the less tools you will have at your exposure. Here's a tip that I sometimes give people struggling with "writer's block" or any blockage they encounter in their writing. Give yourself 60 seconds, no matter where in the world you are, and randomly choose an object. Now, time yourself and create a title, main character, and main plot/ story line for a book or story based on the object in question. If you simply cannot do it in 60 seconds then try ten minutes and lessen the time limits each week until you are able to do it in 60 seconds. It's fun and forces your mind to open up to new possibilities.

Getting back on topic... pulling your reader in and keeping them there is something that is developed over time. The more intrigue you create, the more likely your reader will continue turning pages. Give them information, but keep it general. Give them high points. At least three per book/ story. Shock them. Let them steer their idea of the backdrop from time to time. Most any avid reader enjoys being given an opportunity to create their own images of landscapes, characters, and objects at times.

Everyone knows that stories have a beginning, middle, and ending. But, no reader will ever bother getting to the end unless you give them material worth spinning through to find out what happens and how it turned out that way. It's not a crime to write about werewolves, detectives, wizards, and vampires. But, writing about all those things in ways that are not innovative will only make your story fall short of the next great trend or wave. Using dialogue that creates interpersonal appeal for your characters is key to making your reader come back for more again and again. After all, without the characters, the book will just be long, drawn out descriptions of nouns and nonsensical verbiage. It's the characters that the reader cares about. They want to know why they do what they do. How they do it and what sets them apart from any other character they have ever read about. Fail to create beings that have personality and you will surely fail to create a book that anyone bothers to read.

Apart from what I have already stated is the subject of transition. This, in itself, is an art. The transitions from chapters and subplots must make sense or at least make the reader need to know what comes next. Ending a chapter with a description of a flower will do nothing to compel your reader to progress in your book unless you are writing a poetry book. Then, by all means, flower on...

Any story, no matter how short or how long , has to have three pivotal moments that captivate your audience in some way. Varying the content of these pivotal moments and how they relate to both your plot and characters will further your chances of making your work stand out in your readers mind. The more you can spin memorable moments; the more your audience will remember who wrote that story they just read.

Just as in anything else in life, monotony kills the lust for life. It will do the same for whatever writing project you endeavor to embark upon.

By Christopher Storm






 

The Importance Of Magnetism In All Aspects Of A Writing Career

The elusiveness of creating a sustainable income as a writer is the number one reason why so many writers give up their efforts. Of course there are many factors that contribute to this outcome. One of the most sweeping reasons that can be applied to writing as a whole is the idea of "magnetism".

Especially in this economic climate, the idea of becoming successful as a writer seems insurmountable by even talented individuals with fair knowledge of the craft. The key is in creating such appeal in all aspects of what you create that it pulls people in from all over the place. This sounds far more difficult than it is in actuality.

I feel the need to state that I am not yet a published author. I do have a book coming out in the next few months, however, I have a few advantages that placed me in the know in terms of the material I cover in this blog. BRAG ALERT: Both myself and my family has been told, since early in my elementary school days, that I have a gift for expressing myself that rivals some of the greatest writers in memory. These were not my words, but the words of my teachers all through my school career. The kicker is that my family, despite being told these things, always discouraged me from pursuing a writing career. They said it was very rare for anyone to make a good living as a writer. Even though all my teachers supported me and I took advanced writing and composition classes at times; The words of my family and so-called friends weighed heavily on me. Rather than going into college and getting a degree related to my one love and passion in life; I found myself entering the field of skilled blue collar labor.

In time, life events forced me to lose my credibility in the field I chose. It took me many years to wake up and realize that i would never be able to please my family and that the opinions of my friends were only a reflection of their own knowing that they were not capable of achieving greatness in the field of writing. For far too long, I allowed others to influence my actions and direction in life. I finally woke up to the fact that this is my life and I deserve to live it the way I want. I am beyond confident that the words of my teachers will finally come to fruition. If not with my first book then the next or the following. Regardless of when it happens, I know in my heart of hearts that my talent will bring great rewards in life. I will not ever give up. I have recreated my belief system as a result of numerous life-changing circumstances. All of the events leading up to today, as well as my plans for the future, are detailed in my upcoming book entitled Dark Secrets: My Unhinged Schizophrenic Life. I give you my word that if you enjoy any kind of controversy or shock value in regards to a person's life then this book will far exceed your expectations.

Getting back to the subject of my blog, this magnetism I allude to is something that is either naturally occurring or learned over a period of time. Regardless of how you obtain it, it is required for any writer to make any of their works a success.

The title of your work must grab the reader. The cover or artwork must pull them in so deeply that they are compelled to look deeper into the pages in between. The hum drum and common themes across all genres has to be tweaked and twisted or completely broken in order to create a "must read" theme in a potential readers' mind. Bold concepts and eye catching fonts that don't distract or fade into the cover need to be correctly integrated into your works. Most importantly, your credibility as a writer hinges on the content of the pages in your work. From the first page's eloquence or inherent immersion to the ending and beginning of each and every chapter, every detail of your story must flow and create an atmosphere that deters your reader from putting that book on the table or clicking off into another part of cyberspace. The middle of the work has to create something unique from the beginning. The transitions from chapters and paragraphs have to make sense and tie into the story in a believable or intriguing way. The ending needs to leave your reader sitting there for a solid 60 seconds at least, feeling good about themselves for choosing to take the time and money to invest in your work. The longer the reader sits there in glee or shock or a heightened emotional state, the better job you have done towards making them a happy customer who is likely to come back eager to make that same investment again and again.

From the images you use to market your name, face, reputation, and story to the marketing strategies and value you provide to your readership; Not one aspect lacks in importance toward your ultimate goal of becoming a renowned weaver of tales and facts. Remember that even the best writers in the business hold lots of room for improvement. They are all guilty of writing sub-par books and works of literature. This should force anyone looking to make a name for themselves to evaluate every facet of what they work on.

If you love to write more than anything else then the "game" is half over in your favor. Take your love for your craft to the highest level imaginable and scour every move you make before publishing something you stamp your name and reputation on.

Best of wishes and luck to you all in 2014!

The Heart Of Fiction: How To Be One Of The Authors That Sells Over 500 Copies

I've spoken about what makes a good book. I've spoken about what it takes to be a good writer. I've also spoken about the importance of brand awareness. The best writers out there have failed numerous times. It is important to remember that a minute number of writers survive making a career as a full time author. It is a fact that out of the almost one million books published worldwide each year, only 10% of them sell over five hundred copies. Even if you self publish and incur all costs yourself and receive all the profit then you will likely make no more than three dollars per copy. Fifteen hundred dollars for a huge chunk of your time and effort is a resounding disappointment to say the very least.

Sure, you can go with the traditional publishers, if they are willing to the risk. You might get a 10,000 dollar advance if you've got something decent. Hardly a living wage. More than that if your skill and marketing and brand all line up in the right way. My point is that if you want to be a full time writer, which at least half of the authors out there desire to be, then having thick skin and a hell of a bag of creative tricks up your sleeve is essential to building that career of your dreams.

The future of writing lies in self published geniuses with endless writing endurance and boundless creativity. Not to mention a solid online presence and multi-layered advertising skills. In my opinion, the overall number of authors in the world will eventually diminish greatly. I believe that time will begin to show just how difficult it is to thrive as an author in a world of visual engagement. They will exist but the backdrop will be far different than today. I can only guess what the world of writing will look like in another fifty years.

Getting back on track, I am here to break you down and build you back up into a lean, mean, creative writing machine. I will go another extreme step further and say that half of the books written are garbage. Yes. I said it. Poorly written, devoid of creative substance, and full of wasted banter and fire pit worthy plots and characters. Movies over the years have had to push the limits that were once looked at as edgy. What makes books any different. The entire psychology of the minds of readers is changing.

There will always be a place for romance and smut in our world stuffed to the brim with sin and desires. But for those who yearn to be thrilled, horrified, mystified, and enthralled in their diet of paper dreamscapes; It is our duty as writers to bring it to the next level. There are writers who only do it part time just to be able to say they have their name on a cover and don't care about the money(or lack thereof). But, there are those, like myself, who live for being able to spin and twist our imagination matrix into myriads of musings for all the world to read. Getting paid some big bucks one day is certainly a goal of mine. I have been waiting all my life to be able to set myself loose in the writing world. I will NOT squander my shot at success. I talk a big game but as my books are released, that game will be backed up in big ways.

In closing, for those who have read all my posts thus far, take them all to heart. And place in the fore of your mind that all of the topics discussed in my blog are required in order to make your books a success. That number is articulated at between 5,000 and 10,000 copies or more. Another important fact to remember is that quality over quantity will create a life for a skilled writer that is far easier than someone who spits out ten books a year filled with dribble that each sell next to nothing. Like an old friend of mine always told me, "Work smarter, not harder." So goes in the writing world. Except the smart part equates the amount of imaginative energy you can output as your fingers glance the keys.

By Christopher Storm
-aka- "The Stormcaller"


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