The Initial Goal

In journalism school several of my professors taught news writing like this: tell your reader what you're going to tell them, tell them what they need to know, and then tell them what you're going to tell them. Again.

What they meant by that was everything a reader needs to know should be delivered in two places: the lead and the end. Because not everyone is going to read an entire newspaper story - even if it only takes up 8 column inches (that's about 500 words, people). Some with read all the way through but most will read that first paragraph and skip ahead to the ending paragraph. So, we learned to write short, to write succint and to be a bit repetitive.

I've found a few similarities in fiction writing - specifically in the succinct department. And I do believe the first and last chapters are kind of like the first and last paragraphs in a news story: they both tell the reader the story in short form. Sure, in fiction there is more mystery - *how* will the hero/heroine overcome these obstacles? *How* will these two mismatched lovers find a happily ever after? - but we know going in what the journey is going to be.

That is like journalism, only longer. At least to me. And that first chapter really does need to sing. The goals and motivations of both the hero and heroine need to be there.

So, today, I want us to share goals - character goals. Go to your opening chapter and find a sentence declaring - even mysteriously - the goal for your hero or heroine. Not both, pick one...and share it in the comments! It can be from a published work or something totally new you're working on. So, lets get those comments hopping, peeps!

Comments

  1. “I was thinking about buying a house.”

    All this is, really, is a catalyst-comment. It's not his ultimate goal, but it starts the plot ball rolling.

    ReplyDelete
  2. "We're never moving again."

    As my heroine is unpacking and just before the hero tells her that her job is on the line - which would force her move.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "She was there to save her career." From my upcoming release, Rescuing Lacey.

    My photographer-heroine is on assignment in Costa Rica. If she screws up she'll be looking for another job.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I forgot to add my own! Here it is, from Kathleen: 'We could stay married'.

    Like Liz, this isn't Kathleen's over-arching goal, just a quick-fix to reach that goal...but it gets the ball rolling!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is from my story releasing in August, Two-Timing the Boss. Basically, my heroine is out to secure a job by any means, even if she has to dress in disguise.

    No matter if it meant working here, helping Alec with his catering
    company or bribing her way into three other jobs,
    she’d do whatever it took to get the money for
    Karah.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love it - very clear, and it's sets up the story!

      Delete
  6. This is a question that Casey, my character from Abducted Heart had to ask herself.

    Was she willing to unearth feelings long since buried?

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have a late August release.Eight Seconds to Glory. My hero, Travis Hargrove has a goal. In this scene, he's outside the Broken Bow Civic Center, deep in thought.
    "A little over a year ago, it would have been him waiting below to step up to the draw. He’d be the one to reach in the hat, draw, and unfurl the paper that contained the name of his ride. But, that was before he’d met Six Killer."

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice one, everyone!

    My mind is on Branded today...this is in Aspen's POV.

    Looking at the slip of paper telling her she was about to receive an inheritance, Aspen wondered if her father was indeed a bum who didn’t care about her. How many losers left their children something? Those wracked with guilt, she thought, as a wave of fresh anger washed over her. “Okay. I’ll go. Even if it’s just to spit in his face.”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love it - love her attitude, too. I think she's gonna do some growing!!

      Delete
  9. From my work in progress, "Intersecting Lives." The heroine has just met the hero who commissioned an expensive piece of jewelry from her as a gift for his "friend."

    Damn. Of all the galleries in Seattle why did he have to walk into this one? And now that he had, how could she keep him coming back after he picked up the piece he’d just ordered? Even if he had a girlfriend, she could enjoy looking, couldn’t she?

    ReplyDelete
  10. "If I want to keep the past where it belongs, I have to finish what she's started." ~ Alec Westwood, hero in Dangerous Proposal

    http://www.bookstrand.com/dangerous-proposal

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really, really like! Thanks for sharing Jessica!!

      Delete
  11. “Lily, you are pathologically incapable of getting a man.”

    This is the first sentence of Smitten Image, due out July 23rd. It pretty much describes and sets up the main character for the mayhem that turns her life topsy-turvy. I loved sharing this and hearing about everyone's characters. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Ha! Now don't take anything from this Kristina, but my heroine's name is dangerously close to yours... ;-)

    Here's my hero's goal, as requested by his boss in the opening chapter:
    "Find Kathryn Knight. Find her and ask her about Lola's murder."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol, Nikki!! And I love that goal!!

      Delete
  13. Dee Adams had no idea an innocent visit to the Color Art Paint Store with her son, Jared, would bring her turbulent past back from the dead.

    Not so much her goal but this sets the stage for the whole book and how it affects not only her life but all those around her.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oooh, very interesting, Susan...thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts