tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post6472851738106592375..comments2024-03-11T13:52:07.302-07:00Comments on Cynthia Chapman Willis' BLOG: What Grabs You?Cynthia Chapman Willishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-15949600169056849872011-09-12T16:43:47.490-07:002011-09-12T16:43:47.490-07:00I absolutely want to know what's in that suitc...I absolutely want to know what's in that suitcase, Maeve! And thanks for the blog award! I'll stop by. : )<br /><br />Susan, I keep meaning to read The Maze Runner. Thanks for reminding me about it. <br /><br />Some sort of mystery or question hooks me, too, Medeia. Happy reading!Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-88612354094890577262011-09-12T03:54:37.050-07:002011-09-12T03:54:37.050-07:00Cynthia - I stopped by to tell you that I have a b...Cynthia - I stopped by to tell you that I have a blog award for you on my blog!Maeve Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-88823017380210145982011-09-10T06:30:20.486-07:002011-09-10T06:30:20.486-07:00I have The Graveyard Book. I can't wait to re...I have The Graveyard Book. I can't wait to read it. <br /><br />It can be either a strong voice or mysterious action that pulls me in on that first page.<br /><br />Have a great weekend.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-91500468274172424202011-09-08T19:15:49.831-07:002011-09-08T19:15:49.831-07:00I love beginnings that make me ask questions and k...I love beginnings that make me ask questions and keep me reading, wanting to get my questions answered. The Maze Runner starts: "He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air." What new life??? It sure doesn't sound good. This was a book I could barely put down.Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-78644621113122546052011-09-08T15:21:04.645-07:002011-09-08T15:21:04.645-07:00Lately, I've been reading the younger set. I ...Lately, I've been reading the younger set. I just finished, "Gilda Joyce, Psychic Investigator: The Bones of the Holy" by Jennifer Allison. I love the first line - Okay--I know snooping in someone's suitcase is wrong, but sometimes it's also necessary. Now, don't you need to know what is in that suitcase? Nice post Cynthia! Always getting us thinking.Maeve Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-29060056993667419682011-09-08T15:20:16.168-07:002011-09-08T15:20:16.168-07:00Both such great books, Lydia, and completely diffe...Both such great books, Lydia, and completely different. I'm in awe of such talent.Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-64539860357395749202011-09-08T12:36:25.050-07:002011-09-08T12:36:25.050-07:00I'd love to read that Libba Bray. I just read ...I'd love to read that Libba Bray. I just read the Graveyard this summer and I was hooked too!Lydia Kanghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00484415427764822386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-44605487440957569552011-09-08T10:24:59.778-07:002011-09-08T10:24:59.778-07:00Ah, something that is happening or about to happen...Ah, something that is happening or about to happen, as in The Graveyard Book. That snags me, as well.<br /><br />I'll have to read that MG mystery, Kelly. Thanks! <br /><br />Michelle, I loved The Sky is Everywhere, too! <br /><br />Angela, great point about how intriguing strange observations or something abnormal can be. So true!<br /><br />Wow, MG--great opening line.<br /><br />Really great point, Karen. Leaving things unsaid does make us want to read on and figure out what is going on in a story.Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-35054357410372490042011-09-08T09:04:42.173-07:002011-09-08T09:04:42.173-07:00I love it when an author leaves things unsaid. I l...I love it when an author leaves things unsaid. I like the murkiness of it. I hate it when the author overplays what's going on and forgets how sophisticated us readers are. For me,it's the mystery of what/why something is happening that hooks me!Karen Stronghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08697785820907711723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-21214749792877243772011-09-08T08:58:42.977-07:002011-09-08T08:58:42.977-07:00Thanks for the thanks, Cynthia! I've just star...Thanks for the thanks, Cynthia! I've just started reading Peter Nimble, and the opening line is "Now, for those of you who know anything about blind children, you are aware that they make the very best thieves." Pulled me right in because it planted questions in my mind.MG Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03584010470283038023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-24953266514963625372011-09-08T08:42:39.473-07:002011-09-08T08:42:39.473-07:00I still need to read BQ. :)
I love an opening tha...I still need to read BQ. :)<br /><br />I love an opening that offers me something unexpected. Like you, there doesn't need to be a huge flash-bang, but if the setting and situation is normal, then something abnormal has to happen pretty quickly. I also like books that start off with a strange observation--love those types of opening lines. :) <br /><br />Angela @ The Bookshelf MuseAngela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-4409465110030083482011-09-08T05:46:05.766-07:002011-09-08T05:46:05.766-07:00I've been meaning to read Beauty Queens!!!
I d...I've been meaning to read Beauty Queens!!!<br />I do love a book that I HAVE to keep reading. Anita Laydon's Miller mg mystery recently was one that I couldn't put down. I HAD to find out what happened next.Kelly Polarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10968381456100611120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-86901801283393651722011-09-08T05:00:23.927-07:002011-09-08T05:00:23.927-07:00honestly... most books I read fall short... ( but ...honestly... most books I read fall short... ( but I know I also am not good at great hooks)<br />Paula Vince's books have grabbed me from the beginning. Jandy Nelson had me from start to end in The Sky is Everywhere. <br />I want character, action, and back story all on the first page (as if I'll ever get it!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-36202076652141145772011-09-07T23:06:13.269-07:002011-09-07T23:06:13.269-07:00I have to read those books! Thanks for sharing tho...I have to read those books! Thanks for sharing those. There you go... that's what draws me in - a sense of something that is happening or about to happen... and it's written with magic.Doralynn Kennedyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10828906983819258042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-44805726709325067252011-09-07T18:34:25.839-07:002011-09-07T18:34:25.839-07:00I loved the Graveyard Book too. It immediately dre...I loved the Graveyard Book too. It immediately drew me into the story. I didn't need to know copious amounts of backstory either.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-46396452681008103692011-09-07T18:03:49.774-07:002011-09-07T18:03:49.774-07:00Great comments, everyone! Thank you. I love readin...Great comments, everyone! Thank you. I love reading all the different opinions. <br /><br />And welcome, Alex!Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-11809545694135985582011-09-07T17:49:56.338-07:002011-09-07T17:49:56.338-07:00A lot of different things can keep me reading. It ...A lot of different things can keep me reading. It doesn't always have to be something dramatic. Perhaps and interesting character or voice. <br /><br />And not too much description. I find I'm beginning to understand why I don't like to write a lot of description. I don't like to read too much of it either. Not that I don't like some, but not so much where I forget what else is going on. ;)Donna K. Weaverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15763832177263927311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-72130506877237227622011-09-07T17:10:06.769-07:002011-09-07T17:10:06.769-07:00I bet what "grabs" someone is a little d...I bet what "grabs" someone is a little different for each person! I agree with Stina--the voice, the quality of the writing. Not immediate action; I want to know the character first. But not too much internal musings either--then I get antsy for action. So, a good balance.Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-6391089268614313752011-09-07T16:26:49.084-07:002011-09-07T16:26:49.084-07:00The opening line and voice usually do it for me. A...The opening line and voice usually do it for me. And let me get into the main character's head so I can connect with her. Do all that and I'm good to go, but don't make me wait too long for some action.Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-65361757266227959762011-09-07T16:19:29.324-07:002011-09-07T16:19:29.324-07:00A good hook and a fab MC grab me before anything. ...A good hook and a fab MC grab me before anything. I can usually tell within the first two paragraphs if I will like the novel.Alleged Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04869021184116123477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-7461321218659734262011-09-07T14:58:41.811-07:002011-09-07T14:58:41.811-07:00Hi Cynthia! Thanks for following. Feel free to joi...Hi Cynthia! Thanks for following. Feel free to join the support group for next month's post.Alex J. Cavanaughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-26114893556508684572011-09-07T14:24:04.547-07:002011-09-07T14:24:04.547-07:00I like a good hook, noisy or quiet. But I also lik...I like a good hook, noisy or quiet. But I also like a strong sense of character and place.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-31107683053654712232011-09-07T14:18:32.559-07:002011-09-07T14:18:32.559-07:00An interesting character does it for me, as well a...An interesting character does it for me, as well as a hint of intrigue. <br /><br />A lot of excitement on the first page might also work, but not if I don't care about the character and it's hard to care about them if I don't know a bit about them before being flung face first into an adventure.J.L. Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05666634455836834179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-41783376502148953652011-09-07T14:09:36.746-07:002011-09-07T14:09:36.746-07:00Congratulations on your award! I love a good hook ...Congratulations on your award! I love a good hook too, bold or gentle.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168273312704732896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3224888611160910791.post-6141713070733176572011-09-07T13:37:32.965-07:002011-09-07T13:37:32.965-07:00Secrets are great hooks, I think, Sabrina! Thanks ...Secrets are great hooks, I think, Sabrina! Thanks for bringing this up. <br /><br />I'm intrigued, Alissa. I may have to read that novel. ; )<br /><br />Ah, humor and voice--I couldn't agree more that these are great hooks.<br /><br />So true, Lisa. I also agree that Libba Bray is a genius--a hilarious genius.Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.com