Thanks to a thunderstorm - I swear, I haven't seen rain like that all year - I've just finished the first draft of a Fantastical Fifty story - And the bride wore ashes. I'm going to start another draft later this evening and when that's done, I'll let it stew for a few weeks. Looks like my fifty first sentences experiment is a win--even if I only end up with two stories from it. But of course, I want more. *Stomps feet* (Finished first story at the weekend - Kodak Dragons and had to send it out after only a little sleep because a deadline was looming - looks over shoulder and hopes editor isn't reading).
Fantastical Fifty first line: Maud pulled a snow globe out of the dead man’s suitcase and shook it.
Acutal (first draft) first line: The snow globe offered a flurry of ashes.
Resemblance to original idea: 10%*
Current Word Count: 2,374 words
Things Found Here: Empty graves, a wedding dress made of moths, a Buster Keaton lookalike groom and a church made of ice lolly sticks.
I'm also compiling ideas etc for my next book. I have my title - and I love, love, love it - but I'm not revealing it yet because its brilliance will blind you...
*Percentage figures are not acurate, get over it.
15 comments:
Awesome, awesome. Do you always come up with the title first?
I'm about 6,500 words into my new novel and have yet to give it a title. :-(
I always have a working title even if it's something naff. This one is of course brilliant (until I get fed up with it).
Congrats on the finalization of the draft!
My new WIP also has what I think is a great tile but I am not going to start talking about it just yet, lest I jinx it.
Thanks, Barry. Wouldn't it be odd if we had the same title? Bagsy it.
No copyright on titles...
Anyway, I read about your plan with this fantastical fifty and I've been trying to come up with first lines here and there.
I have four...
Coming up with a great title is always special : ) My favorite is still "RELENTLESS SODOMY: The Musical." Hurray for buns!
I love hearing about the process of a story. And I love the title.
Gold stars for you! I try to come up with a working title first but sometimes fall short of that.
Anything with Buster Keaton in it has got to be special.
Rich, just don't use 'Wuthering Heights', I hear Miss Bronte rises from her grave if you do. Actually...on second thoughts.
Natalie, that is an inspired title.
Thanks, Danielle.
Thanks, Andrea.
I agree, Jamie.
Oooh now I adore the "things found here" objects. Sounds delectable-- and just because it's what I've come to expect from you doesn't mean I'll take it for granted.
Thanks, Katey
That sounds so cool! And I like your comment on the percentages. :)
"Things Found Here" is actually a pretty good title on its own, I think. (Says the person who comes up with the world's worst titles half the time. I mean, I wrote a story once titled "Bird." It did not have a bird in it.)
Great lines Cate!! Thanks for sharing! Storms are always wicked, did this one inspire or just give you some time to write?
Sorry I haven't been here for a squinch. I'm trying to catch up!!
Happy writing
Hinny
Kate, that last comment made me snort. :D
Thanks, Kara.
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