The Story Embers

[suspensewriter 5,708]

I really like the Story Embers podcasts, and the most recent one was about Plot Conflicts.  In it, they discuss plots that just grab you right from the start, and those that flat, and it got me thinking--what in your stories really grabs the reader?  I'd love to hear some examples!

[Ky_GirlatHeart 1,979]

I have no idea yet.

[suspensewriter 5,708]

Really?  You have to have some story ideas!

[Shamrock 1,881]

That is an interesting question to ask Beta readers.  Will add it to my list.

 

[carolinamtne 4,860]

A conference I attended has a Paddle Panel from the faculty. People submit their first page and someone else reads it. Then if the people on the panel like it, they hold up the green side of the ping-pong paddle. If not, it's the red. The reader read the first three sentences and a green paddle went up, followed shortly thereafter by the others. I always wondered about the rest of the page!

[suspensewriter 5,708]

Now that is cool, Carolina! (unless, of course, you get the red paddle)

[Rene 233]

That's a good question, but I don't know if I have a good answer. I know when I'm writing I try to promise my reader either lots of mystery and action of some kind and of course I try to deliver on those promises. 

[Shamrock 1,881]

Sounds scary to me. Not sure if I would be brave enough to enter that competition.

[carolinamtne 4,860]

No names are shared. And it's very helpful, listening to the reasoning for the paddle. You learn a lot, whether or not you enter a page.

[suspensewriter 5,708]

Nice, Carolina!