T. Rae Mitchell's Blog, page 22
August 3, 2013
Even Stephen King labors over his first lines
Looking back, I think I came up with at least five very different scenes to open Fate’s Fables with. But that was nothing compared to all the first opening lines I wrote, revised and fretted over, before I finally settled on, “The light was fading fast.” I sometimes thought I was putting too much importance on my first line, but I’ve since discovered I’m not the only one.
Stephen King said in his interview with The Atlantic, that he can spend months, even years writing an opening sentence. King said, “When I’m starting a book, I compose in bed before I go to sleep. I will lie there in the dark and think. I’ll try to write a paragraph. An opening paragraph. And over a period of weeks and months and even years, I’ll word and reword it until I’m happy with what I’ve got. If I can get that first paragraph right, I’ll know I can do the book.” He goes on to say, “The best first line I ever wrote is the opening of Needful Things. Printed by itself on a page in 20-point type: “You’ve been here before.” All there by itself on one page, inviting the reader to keep reading. It suggests a familiar story.”
While the book itself is not reliant on a stunning or mediocre opening sentence––because let’s face it, the story has to be engaging––this first line certainly sets the tone and often dictates whether a reader will continue to read or put the book back on the shelf.
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In case you’re curious, here’s some first lines I ended up not using:
- The horizon rose and fell as it always did in that unrelenting, yet reliable way–a comforting behavior after so many years of seeing the same skyline reshaped into the unfamiliar from one day to the next.
- “She’s almost here. I can feel her getting closer,” the young man said with a shiver from where he sat in the shadows.
- Clutching her journal to her chest, Fate ran down the tree-lined streets past children playing in the sprinklers and adults tending their yards.
August 1, 2013
The Deathly Hallows cover reveal today marks the completion of Scholastic’s new box set
Amulet series author and illustrator, Kazu Kibuishi has really created some eye-catching covers for J.K. Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter series in honor of the 15 year anniversary of the U.S. publication of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. I don’t know about you, but I HAVE to have one of these box sets!
July 29, 2013
Is Artemis Fowl the new Harry Potter?
Walt Disney Studios just announced they are in development on the film adaptation of Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer with producer Harvey Weinstein and , the screenwriter for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. With this dynamic team working together, it certainly looks like Artemis is being positioned to step into Harry’s shoes. I mean look at the AF book cover. Put HP on there and you’d think this was Harry without his glasses. But the similarities between the two characters end there. The 12-year-old millionaire, criminal mastermind, Artemis Fowl, is a far cry from the naive, orphaned wizard, Harry Potter. Either way, you’ll find me at the theatre when the film’s out. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they do with the magical mayhem Artemis is so famous for stirring up.
July 27, 2013
Looks like “The One” is back
Keanu Reeves exemplified the cool, reserved hero when he played Neo from The Matrix, a role that has left us thirsting for more of the same ever since. I think we may be getting our hero back with Reeves playing Kai from the upcoming fantasy, action-adventure film, 47 Ronin. The visuals are stunning in a Lord of the Rings meets Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon kind of way. This looks like a painting of Chinese mythology come to life with an underdog army of Samurai warriors crossing savage terrain filled with frightening, magical beasts to do battle with a shape-shifting, dragon sorceress.
July 19, 2013
Thanks to Richmond Chapters for a fun Teen Author Night!
I had so much fun at Teen Author Night on Wednesday meeting new readers and signing their copies of Fate’s Fables! As always, thanks to the fabulous staff at Richmond Chapters for having me and hosting a great night. And if you couldn’t make it to the signing, no worries, I left another stack of books at the store.
And congratulations to Sienna Wang, the winner of my drawing for the Fate’s Fables necklace. :D
July 16, 2013
July 15, 2013
An Interview with Fate Floyd from Fate’s Fables
Thought I’d post this interview with Fate on my blog for those of you who might’ve missed it back in April when it went up on Laurie’s Interviews. It was such a fun one, and I haven’t done any other character interviews since then. Hope you enjoy getting to know Fate a little better.
Laurie: What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
Fate: I’m a bestselling author. People don’t expect that when you’re only seventeen years old. Even I didn’t expect it, especially since I wasn’t trying to get published. But then things like that are always happening to me. I blame it on my name.
Laurie: Do you have a favorite quote, quip, or saying? What is it?
Fate: Reality sucks. Make-believe rocks.
Laurie: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Fate: Interesting. There are way too many boring adults out there.
Laurie: What would you consider to be the best book you have ever read?
Fate: If I have to pick just one, which is super hard for me, I’d have to say Peter Pan. I could relate to having a never-ending childhood. Even now I still fight growing up. Plus I really wanted to fly. There was a time when I would’ve traded in ten years worth of Halloween candy for some fairy dust. But look who’s flying now? Move over Tinker Bell. I’ve got the Words of Making.
Laurie: What are you passionate about these days?
Fate: A really hot Scottish guy named Finn.
Laurie: What is your favorite meal?
Fate: Any Italian dish smothered in Parmesan.
Laurie: What songs are most played on your Ipod?
Fate: All of Poalo Nutini’s songs. I love his voice, plus he’s Scottish with Italian ancestry––a yummy combination I can’t resist.
Laurie: Do you play any sports?
Fate: Is this before I got chucked inside the Book of Fables and had to learn to kick some serious monster ass? Let me put it this way, my main goal––up until I recently started doing the Xena warrior princess thing––was to avoid any activities which could potentially exhaust me.
Laurie: Who should play you in a film?
Fate: Emma Stone, she’s the only one I’d trust to carry off my wit and charm. Okay, if you must know, I’m counting on her to make me look witty and charming.
Laurie: Where do you dream of traveling to and why?
Fate: Willie Wonka’s chocolate factory. Why? Because there’s a chocolate river running through it and I like to swim.
Laurie: What was the scariest moment of your life?
Fate: Oh that’s easy. When I was dragged underground into a nest of worms and blood-sucking roots.
Laurie: What one word best describes you?
Fate: Fiery, but in a spirited way. Not a bite-your-head-off sort of way. Oops, sorry. You said one word. Fiery.
July 14, 2013
I’m celebrating the 2nd Edition of Fate’s Fables! I’d love you to WIN a copy!
Since the initial release of Fate’s Fables, I’ve been toying with the idea of adding two extra visuals, one before Chapter One and the other after Chapter Two to them apart from the rest of the book. These chapters read more like a prologue, covering the cataclysmic events that take place far from Earth in an immense storehouse for magical objects called the Keep. I’m super happy with the way this sets up the introduction to Fate and why she ends up inside the Book of Fables. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll get in the second edition print copy of Fate’s Fables, available now on Amazon. PLUS, you’ll see these new graphics in the updated eBook copy as well.
In celebration of the second edition, you can enter to WIN either a paperback, eBook copy of Fate’s Fables or a set of signed bookmarks. Good luck and I hope to be notifying you as one of the lucky winners!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
July 13, 2013
Yay! We have the winners for my latest Fate’s Fables giveaway!
This is always my favorite part of the giveaways, getting to announce the winners! Big congrats to Lesti, Arune, Malgorzata and Claire, the winners of a Fate’s Fables eBook. A huge thank you to Brianna for hosting a really great giveaway event on A Book And A Latte blogspot. There was such a good turnout and I had so much fun replying to all the visitors. :)
July 11, 2013
I’ll be signing at Richmond Chapters for Teen Author’s Night next Wednesday, July 17th
I’m really excited about my next book signing event! I’ll be at Richmond Chapters with Fate’s Fables, sharing the floor with three other local Young Adult authors, who each have some awesome books: Elsie Chapman, author of Dualed, Amanda Sun, author of Ink and Jeyn Roberts, author of Dark Inside.
If you’re in Richmond that evening, I’d love to see you.
Teen Author’s Night
Wednesday, July 17th
5:oo to 8:00 pm
Richmond Chapters
8171 Ackroyd Rd
