For beginnings: Don't start by laying the wood. Light the match. (But action scenes without readers knowing who's who are a turnoff for me. The match doesn't need to start a blaze. Just a 'disturbance' that readers will want to follow.
Re-reading this - love it. Ron knocked it out of the park.
Look forward to having this on my shelf (and reading it again). I love well-written and complex crime fiction, and this is most definitely that. Congrats again.
Awesome to see the peek under the hood here, both craft-wise and with the nuts and bolts of the book production. Looking forward to picking up a physical copy in a few days!!
I enjoyed your reflections and am thrilled to see a character in the drawer come to life. Best of Luck with the release of Declan Shaw's first book, LOVE YOU TILL TUESDAY, Martine!
That cover oozes sultry dark crime! As for the weather, I don't mind as long as it's done well. Blended into the character's psyche while setting tone and mood and expectations. I look forward to your novel, Martine! You're a writer's writer, that's very clear.
Love the cover. It would make me pick it off the shelf in the bookstore.
It was very interesting to hear how real and "fleshed-out" the character of Declan is to you. I'm sure this will make him a very believable character to us. Congrats on the release, I'm in!
Martine, I'd wish you good luck on the launch but with a cover like that and you're writing inside, you don't need any luck. I predict very good things for Love You Till Tuesday. - Best, Jim
I’ve seen so many DOs and DON’Ts for the beginnings of stories, and most of them (like “Don’t start with the weather”) seem completely arbitrary to me. My only rules for my first lines are the same rules I have for every line in my book: try to write something that has a reason for being there, and try to make it interesting.
I’m looking forward to getting reacquainted with Declan Shaw after reading your earlier draft. He’s a fascinating character!
So happy this character is seeing the light of day after percolating for so long. It was one of my most-anticipated books when the year started. Jumps right to the top of the pile when it hits my device in a couple weeks. Congrats on its upcoming release!
For beginnings: Don't start by laying the wood. Light the match. (But action scenes without readers knowing who's who are a turnoff for me. The match doesn't need to start a blaze. Just a 'disturbance' that readers will want to follow.
Ease into it...
Re-reading this - love it. Ron knocked it out of the park.
Look forward to having this on my shelf (and reading it again). I love well-written and complex crime fiction, and this is most definitely that. Congrats again.
Thank you, and thanks for the beautiful blurb! You're on the cover, baby!
Awesome to see the peek under the hood here, both craft-wise and with the nuts and bolts of the book production. Looking forward to picking up a physical copy in a few days!!
Thanks Shane! That baby is out on pre-order (with a discount on the eBook, what's not to like, lol). https://shotgunhoney.com/books/love-you-till-tuesday-by-m-e-proctor/
GREAT cover!
Tana French has failed to capture me. She’s a bit bleak for my tastes, but James Lee Burke is great.
Love your cover. It’s captivating and emotive.
Thanks Jody. I like both French and Burke. I’m not trying To figure why, just enjoying people that sling words in a meaningful way.
I’m awful at articulating why I like what I like, but I know it when I find it.
I enjoyed your reflections and am thrilled to see a character in the drawer come to life. Best of Luck with the release of Declan Shaw's first book, LOVE YOU TILL TUESDAY, Martine!
Thank you, Pamela!
That cover oozes sultry dark crime! As for the weather, I don't mind as long as it's done well. Blended into the character's psyche while setting tone and mood and expectations. I look forward to your novel, Martine! You're a writer's writer, that's very clear.
Thank you, Marina. Sultry dark... we'll see :)
Love the cover. It would make me pick it off the shelf in the bookstore.
It was very interesting to hear how real and "fleshed-out" the character of Declan is to you. I'm sure this will make him a very believable character to us. Congrats on the release, I'm in!
Thank you, Jim. I made the guy... I take full responsibility, lol!
Martine, I'd wish you good luck on the launch but with a cover like that and you're writing inside, you don't need any luck. I predict very good things for Love You Till Tuesday. - Best, Jim
Everybody can use a little luck, it doesn't do any harm. Thanks, Jim.
I absolutely LOVE the cover!
I’ve seen so many DOs and DON’Ts for the beginnings of stories, and most of them (like “Don’t start with the weather”) seem completely arbitrary to me. My only rules for my first lines are the same rules I have for every line in my book: try to write something that has a reason for being there, and try to make it interesting.
I’m looking forward to getting reacquainted with Declan Shaw after reading your earlier draft. He’s a fascinating character!
Thank you, Douglas. That initial weather line from ten years ago didn't bring much to the party :)
Cover looks great!
So happy this character is seeing the light of day after percolating for so long. It was one of my most-anticipated books when the year started. Jumps right to the top of the pile when it hits my device in a couple weeks. Congrats on its upcoming release!
Thanks, Andy!