tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137449286393731234.post2521091812517241221..comments2011-12-09T10:18:30.908-08:00Comments on Muhlenberg's Popped: “The Beginning: Why Most Stories Get Rejected” by J.F. Benedetto, MWA, from CalliopePoppedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12400169845802125192noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137449286393731234.post-69875527894580000212011-12-09T10:18:30.908-08:002011-12-09T10:18:30.908-08:00Unfortunately, so many people will just flip open ...Unfortunately, so many people will just flip open a book to read the first paragraph, and if they aren't hooked, they won't keep reading. While I agree with Averill that it seems unfair that the ecosystem is pretty much being sidlined, I do think it is important to hook the reader enough that they will want to keep reading when they hit that section. I'm thinking of Tolkien, who could wax poetic for pages about scenery. Only dedication to the story and the man got me through it. Ugh. <br /><br />Also, unfortunately, publishing is selling out. It's not just about creating something that you want to read--you need to create something that others want to read, too, and publishers aren't going to take you if they don't think that there's enough of an audience for the work to make them money. I'm sitting on a 600 page manuscript full of what I think are interesting culture- and character-building details, but I know that if I ever seriously wanted to consider publication I would have to cut the story by at least half--and those details would probably be the first things to go so that I could maintain the plot.Poppedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12400169845802125192noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8137449286393731234.post-77703483053478262012011-10-05T11:18:33.082-07:002011-10-05T11:18:33.082-07:00I agree with you Averill. I don't think it'...I agree with you Averill. I don't think it's a fair argument for Benedetto to say that only stories that "capture the audience" immediately can end up being published. It reminds me of getting advice on how to grasp the reader's attention when I was in middle school - ask a question, use a quotation! If the piece is well-written and captivating, I would think the publisher would be able to look past the fact that the beginning didn't instantly make him love it.<br />-JuliePoppedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12400169845802125192noreply@blogger.com