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

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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The Importance of Brand Awareness In Modern Marketing and Publishing

In a competitive business such as writing it takes creativity that reaches above and beyond content. The greatest content can be down on paper, but if people don't feel a connection to the surface of your product then you might as well throw away your dreams of becoming successful in the world of words. It's no secret that we live in a visual world far more today than even ten years ago. It takes memorable elements added to great writing skills in order to excel in the business.

People want to be able to relate to the person they are reading. They want to feel a vested interest before making the decision to buy your book. First and foremost, your cover must grab their attention within one to eight seconds if you are to stand much of a chance. It must appeal to their sense of intrigue in some way. Obviously, as everything else in life, you can not please everyone. Your cover is a representation of your book. So, if it appears that you didn't place much thought or creativity into it then that is going to be the message to the observer. This is guaranteed to effect your sales.

The title of your book is an all important element as well. It must describe the depth or emotion of your book in a compelling way without seeming too cliche or conveying a theme that has been overused. The font used must be bold without overtaking your cover as to detract from its message. The color used also needs to stand out without overriding the image on the page. The synopsis on the back cover is something that many authors disregard or fail to place much effort into. It needs to describe, in a compelling manner, the overall theme of your book while creating within the prospective reader a sense of interest that makes them want to know more about what is inside. In terms of content, as many authors already realize, books that offer a chapter or a few pages of text on Amazon(a must for any book seller) always gain much more of a fighting chance than books that do not offer this benefit. This is a chance to show off your work and make the reader want to be able to finish the book. If you do not deliver on this then hang it up. Your words back up your name, which brings me to my next point.

Your name and brand as an author is the single thing that is one hundred percent unique to you. All other concepts and plots, covers, colors, and themes will always overlap with another work in some way. However, your name itself, along with your photo is what differentiates you from all other writers out there. If you practice consistency and use the same image among all social media sites as well as your books then, over time, your face and pen name become what is known as a brand. Steven Kings' face and name is one of the most well known faces in all of literature. He has been consistent and his work has become well known. His face pops up in cameos in the movies filmed from his books. People love what he does and his brand is known the world over.

If you want to take one step further, some authors use a quote to go along with all their books that might compliment their theme or brand that they build. For instance, Danielle Steel always uses the quote, "She'll keep you up all night." This creates a sense of what she writes about as well as etches into her readers minds something to make them remember her by. Although I am just getting into the business, my brand is something i am being consistent in. My theme is something that relays a personal story about my life. My quote that will be seen with all my books is, "He strikes your heart and drenches your soul." It not only tells potential readers about my work; It relays something intimate about who I am as a man.

No matter what you do or are doing to build your brand; The trick is to be consistent. Change things up if you feel the need to but try your best to find something that resonates with you as a writer. Something that builds a sense of excitement and allows those who come to know your work to be able to keep a marker or image in their minds of who you are and what you write about. The better the connection you are able to create with your reader; The better chance you have of them coming back to read the next book or blog that you write. Never allow yourself to be discouraged by low sales or lack of clicks because, one day, the right domino may fall that spreads your words across the globe like wildfire. What we deliver is something that never needs to be redone again. Once you create something, it doesn't need to be renewed. It is there for all time as a representative of what you love to do.

By Christopher Storm
-aka-The Stormcaller

Post Script: If you want to know the truth about what goes on behind closed doors in the rooms of the elite and what we as united spirits can do about it then check out my blog, Stormcalling