4.8 • 733 Ratings
🗓️ 12 October 2023
⏱️ 57 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
In today’s Books with Hooks, Carly and CeCe critique two submissions, discussing how to include enough of a hook in a query without spoiling the story; burying the lead; making it obvious how an author wants readers to feel about certain things; longer query letter word counts; personifying the antagonist; and polished pages on a scene level.
After which, Bianca interviews Hannah Mary McKinnon, the author of The Christmas Wager (written under her pen name, Holly Cassidy). During their interview, they discuss Hannah's use of a pen name; the first chapter of The Christmas Wager as a master class in first chapters; the difference between writing a thriller first chapter and a romance first chapter; tips for balancing disposition and dialogue; setting up the stakes for the protagonist; how to approach back story opening pages; and how Hannah approaches negative reviews about her novels.
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To ask a question, go to: https://sayhi.chat/TSNOTYAW
More information about Hannah can be found at: https://hannahmarymckinnon.com/home-holly-cassidy/ and https://hannahmarymckinnon.com/
She's also on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/hannahmarymckinnon/?hl=en
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0:00.0 | It's a new year and time to get fresh eyes on your work in progress. |
0:04.8 | Are you looking for beta readers, some of whom might potentially become writing group members |
0:09.2 | down the line? |
0:10.2 | Are you wanting to be matched up with those writing in a similar genre and or time |
0:15.0 | zone so they can critique your work as you critique theirs at the same time? |
0:19.5 | Your manuscript doesn't have to be complete to sign up |
0:22.1 | for this 3,000 word evaluation. This matchup will be open to registrations from now until the |
0:28.5 | 2nd of March with the matchup emails going out on the 3rd of March. Always such an exciting day. |
0:35.4 | For more information and to register, go to Bianca Moray.com and go to |
0:39.7 | the beta reader matchup tab. And please spread the word, even if you aren't joining the matchup this |
0:45.7 | time. The more writers we have signed up, the better the matches will be. Hello from CC. |
0:52.6 | I'm so excited to announce an all new class called Starting It |
0:56.4 | Right, which is all about how to begin your story in the best place and in the best way. Now, |
1:01.6 | this is going to be a four-day class, so come prepared to take lots of notes. We'll cover the different |
1:06.9 | types of beginnings and how to choose the best one for your story, how to frame your |
1:11.6 | inciting incident in a compelling way, common mistakes writers make when starting a story, |
1:17.3 | how to balance exposition and mystery, how to make readers connect with your protagonist, and how |
1:23.6 | to make the reader want to turn to the next chapter and so much more. |
1:28.3 | And guess what? |
1:29.3 | For the first time ever, there will be an interactive component to my class. |
1:34.3 | Everyone who is registered will have the option of sending in the opening scene of their work |
1:40.3 | for a chance to be critiqued during the webinar. |
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