Today’s Challenge: The Meet
It’s the moment most readers wait for (well, one of the moments): when the hero and heroine first meet. Do they love or hate each other on sight? Is he her neighbor, her boss, her accountant? Because there are so many stories out there, think about how your “meet” will capture an editor’s attention. Here is a nice checklist for when you send us your two-page scene detailing the characters’ first encounter in your book.
Do you describe/show…
…the how, why, where of your hero and heroine’s first encounter?
…their reactions?
…the context surrounding their meeting?
…how they could be destined for each other?
…a unique take on two people coming face to face for the first time in this story?
Do you choose your setup carefully and have the best way of bringing the hero and heroine together? Most of all, does your scene grab the reader’s attention and make her want to keep turning the pages?
So, now that you’ve answered yes to all these questions, it’s time for you to send us your scene. Take us on a thrilling ride of about 2 pages (12 font, double-spaced, between 500-700 words). You can include a summary of up to 3 sentences to give us context for this meeting. Please submit to us at ucanwrite@harlequin.ca by 10:00 a.m. EST, today, September 16, 2015. Be sure to include in the subject heading: SYTYCW: The Meet Challenge. We’ll randomly pick five to critique by today at 3:00 p.m. Good luck!
Join the conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #SYTYCW15, and follow @HarlequinSYTYCW.
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!