This Friday’s topic: Best Opening Scenes, from assistant editor Hayley Wagreich.

Up: Grab ‘em by the heartstrings
Apparently watching the opening of UP will make me cry every time. Each little visual anecdote could be the beginning of a story–but instead we get a full arc before the plot even begins. It sets up that grumpy old Carl is actually a loving and caring man–and it’s this secret that the audience carries through with them as we watch him open up again to the world and accept the love of others. Go ahead, watch it and cry.

CONFLICT

“How are things going?”                                              “How are things going?”

“Very well, thanks!”                                                    “Not so well, actually.”

                        =                                                                                 =

End of conversation.                                                        The beginning of a story.

 In life, most of us avoid conflict. We want to get along and we want everything to go smoothly. However we also know that other people’s conflicts are fantastically interesting. We watch shows called “Desperate Housewives, not “Happy Functional Women.”

This doesn’t make us sadists… it makes us story-lovers. We don’t go to brunch on Sunday to hear about how calm everyone’s Saturday night was—we go to find out about scandals, secrets, surprises, and spectacles. Conflict requires action, and inspires triumph.

Pin this over your desk: NO PAIN, NO GAIN. Both in life and in narrative.

As a fiction-writer, CONFLICT IS YOUR BEST FRIEND. Does this mean your characters should always be throwing half-finished martinis on each other’s dresses, staging battles, or balling their fists and shouting to the heavens? No, of course not.

The whole notion of conflict is to give characters an issue to resolve, aka, to give them a trajectory, a goal, a forward motion of some kind.

CONFLICT => TENSION => ENERGY => DIRECTION => NARRATIVE.

Why is this such a big deal? Too often, our early drafts of novels are boring !!!!

Ever secretly worry that your story is only interesting to YOU? Well conflict is your cure. As readers, we’re compulsive about conflict—we love it, and the more we get, the more we hungrily read along. “How the heck is she going to get out of this one?!” we exclaim, eagerly flipping the pages.

Though of course there are always exceptions to a rule, most people would prefer to read a completely unoriginal story with great narrative drive than read a fantastically inventive, beautifully written book with no direction or point. How do you ensure your novel is the conflict-filled, compulsively readable kind?

First, examine your novel chapter by chapter. How many beats make things harder for the main character? More specifically, does it get more difficult for the character to achieve her established goal? If not, try out PLL’s five tried and true conflict tricks:

 1) ADD STRANGE FRUIT TO FRUITLESS SEARCHES. First draft: Character A asks around for information but comes up with no answers. Change to: Character A does a search and comes up with utterly surprising results that set her on a new course.

  (Throw in a curveball that even YOU weren’t expecting!) For instance, a girl searches files for information on her adoptive family. She discovers—gasp—her parents were part of a magical circus. OR she discovers—gasp—her parents are the parents of the boy she loves. She’s in love with her own brother! As you can see, these reveals can pull the plot in extremely different directions

2) ESCAPE ISN’T SO EASY. First draft: Character A narrowly escapes harm. Change to: Character A gets injured, captured, or forced down an unexpected path.

-How can this lead to new plot potential? How will the character get better, what will the injury require him to do next or prevent him from being able to do next? How will he break out of captivity or what will he learn from being held? Where will the unexpected route lead him? Who will he run into there

3) HOLD GRUDGES! First draft: Two characters argue, but come to reconcile their views or agree to disagree. Change to: two characters argue. The disagreement becomes explosive, leading to violence, a drastic measure, or swearing allegiance to a third party.

-How can this open new possibilities for the story? Force the characters to work through the conflict by making more mistakes and truly grappling through the book rather than resolving quickly and cleanly.

4) WE LIKE BIG BUTS AND WE CANNOT LIE. When in doubt, insert a BUT. She tried to sneak in undetected, BUT… She planned to kill him, BUT… She asked him to the dance, BUT.

5) MAKE MISTAKES. Are all the character’s difficulties coming from external forces (bad timing, storms, coincidences, society, other characters’ evil machinations/ villainy) or internal forces/ character-agency (making mistakes, overreacting, wanting something too much, essentially making a dangerous, risky or bad choice)?

-When in doubt, try to use more character-agency to create hurdles. The most interesting problems to solve are the ones we’ve in some way created ourselves!

-A few storms and bad guys are often necessary for good story-telling too, though.

So go ahead, awaken the Inner Demon/Diva/Desperate housewife. Don’t worry—you’ll get to save your characters in the end… Just don’t let them off the hook before then!

This Friday’s topic: First Kisses, from PLL assistant editor Angela Velez.

Joan of Arcadia- How to take the conventional and make it special

The writers wanted viewers to see Adam and Joan as a special, so they took a conventional setting (high school gym, science fair) and elevated it by adding ABSOLUTE MAYHEM.  Exploding fish tanks! Near death experiences! Falling dinosaurs! A snowstorm of feathers!

What should have been the most boring first kiss ever instead became an infamous, memorable moment for the entire high school.

Seriously, how cute is this:

Side note: The science fair mayhem also serves as a mechanism for important characterization:

Friedman (boy with the ‘fro) = self-involved, saves himself

Science teacher + nerdy girl = same person, heading towards similar futures

Grace + Luke (science project owners) = friends after all

Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Kisses: A perfectly imperfect first kiss

You don’t always need catastrophes to make your first kiss scene memorable; sometimes all it takes is a classic humiliation, in the form of a little sister who thinks she’s a cat and a self-tanning disaster.

Nothing about Georgia and Robbie’s first kiss is perfect—for starters, he’s dating Slaggy Lindsay, Georgia’s arch-nemesis. Secondly, his romantic line is “your legs are like giant cheesy puffs.” The great thing about their first kiss is that it doesn’t matter—Robbie and Georgia kiss anyway, and it’s fantastic. Until he remembers about Slaggy Lindsay…

Veronica Mars—Girls can initiate + the first kiss doesn’t have to be important

What makes their first kiss so great is that Veronica, not Logan, takes the leap and initiates the kiss. This is significant—because of her complicated dating history, Veronica needs to decide whether or not she wants to kiss Logan.  You could argue that if Logan had kissed her first (and you know he’s dying to), she would have resisted, and then we would never have had their epic romance—tragic!

It’s also important to note that their first kiss doesn’t matter—it’s confusing and strange and ends too quickly. For Veronica and Logan, the requisite follow up make-out session is way more special, because it confirms that they’re into each other.

Side note: this scene employs my favorite cinematic trick, aka the spinning camera. If only every kiss could happen like this!

Friday Night Lights – When your world collapses, kiss whatever you have left.

As Jason Street’s best friend (Tim) and Jason’s girlfriend (Lyla), Tim and Lyla obviously have no business kissing each other. But Tim and Lyla’s kiss doesn’t happen because of a sudden romantic interest in each other; their kiss is the only way they know how to deal with their grief over Jason Street’s paralysis. In case you need more proof, watch Lyla beat Tim up before their make out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H3Fx085lpU.

While their first kiss marks the beginning of the “Tyla” saga, it won’t approach anything close to love until they’ve both settled their feelings (guilt, love, loyalty) towards Jason.

Pretty Little Liars: So wrong, it’s right.

Oh Ezra and Aria.  Everything about their first kiss is scandalous, making it incredibly sexy to watch: Mutual exaggerations of their accomplishments and life goals? Check. Enormously inappropriate age gap? Check. Gross bar bathroom? Check. Pretty Little Liars’ writers demonstrate that true love (read: lust) blooms in the most illicit places.

Next Friday, PLL assistant editor Hayley Wagreich is sharing a special something with us!

In THE BUTTERFLY CLUES, Penelope “Lo” Marin has always loved to collect beautiful things, but surely you like beautiful things too! Kate Ellison is not only an author whose writing has been praised as “otherworldly”, but she’s also an artist who has graciously provided four exclusive illustrations for fans of her books.

Original Kate Ellison illustrations!

If you read and reviewed THE BUTTERFLY CLUES or NOTES FROM GHOST TOWN (or both!) and want a chance to win one of these drawings, enter this Rafflecopter:
-4 points if you link to your review(s) in the comments section below.
-3 points for Liking Kate Ellison’s Facebook page
-3 points for following Paper Lantern Lit on Twitter
-3 points for Liking Paper Lantern Lit’s Facebook page

Contest ends on Wednesday, May 15th. One drawing per winner.

The editors here at PLL are kicking off a weekly Toolbox series where we’ll share our favorite YouTube clips on a specific topic, ranging from swoon worthy romance to kick butt action sequences. They’re moments we draw inspiration from as we’re developing a project, and we hope you will too!

This Friday’s topic: Assassination attempts, from PLL associate editor Rhoda Belleza!

I’m talking one-on-one, hand-to-hand combat. What sets this apart from a generic fight scene is context; the target is often surprised and unprepared, and the stakes are higher since it’s life or death. When choreographing, keep in mind:

• Weapons: It works best if your hero is at a disadvantage with a “lesser” weapon—and the quieter the weapon, the better. Chainsaws are comical and machine guns are overcompensating, but crossbows are rad and knives are a testament to badassness. Furthermore, any weapon that forces her to get closer to her attacker, the bigger the risk and higher the urgency!

Here’s all of the praise he received from PLL Trendsetters:

PLL Trendsetter Maddie: Alex is so incredibly sweet, smart and strong character, yet not in an unrealistic manner. He is honestly one of my top favorite characters of all time.

PLL Trendsetter Tori: Alex is the one to sweep you off your feet. In a world that doesn’t believe in love, he sure is one passionate boy. He sets up picnics in gardens under the stars, reads books and listens to music; he does all the forbidden things for love. He will run away with you and protect you the best he can. He will love you and take care of you.

PLL Trendsetter Caitlin: I chose Alex as one of my “dream boys” because he taught Lena about love and romance. He helped Lena to overcome her fears of love and to go against the social norm, in order to be happy and to live a good life. The secret relationship between Lena and Alex is, all in all, highly romantic, and something that I would love to have for myself.

PLL Trendsetter Corinne: Alex is selflessness. He wants Lena from the start, and even though loving her puts both their lives at risk, he would do anything for her. He puts everything on the line to show her how beautiful she is. And he has made me cry. A lot.

PLL Trendsetter Katherine: Right when Lena first met and talked to him, I really fell for what Alex stood for and his personality (not to mention he’s quite attractive). His love for Lena and hers for him was so amazing and beautiful and I am torn to pieces about how they’ve broken up and now Lena is stuck in some love chain (Julian loves Lena who loves Julian AND Alex who loves Coral) but I, for one, still love Alex ^_^

PLL Trendsetter Nicole: He showed Lena what the real meaning of love was. He gave her a way out of becoming
a loveless zombie. When they were caught he gave up his freedom just so she could be free.

To celebrate Alex’s win, we’re offering up one signed book from the DELIRIUM series of your choice! (DELIRIUM or PANDEMONIUM or REQUIEM or DELIRIUM STORIES.) Enter here: a Rafflecopter giveaway Giveaway ends on April 3rd.

Many thanks to the PLL Trendsetters who submitted their favorite YA boys to this tournament and to everyone who voted! We’ll see you next year!

Daemon: He will give you an extraterrestrial love that is out of this world.

Alex: He will literally teach you how to love in a world where people don’t love. We’re swooning over here.

You have until Thursday night (9PM EST)  to vote and the winner will be featured with a special blog post on Friday!

Augustus: If you can give him a forever within his numbered days, your love will go on always.

Daemon: He will give you an extraterrestrial love that is out of this world.

Alex: He will literally teach you how to love in a world where people don’t love. We’re swooning over here.

Harry Potter: The boy who lived…to win your heart.

You can gain points by:
3 points for Tweeting about the contest (using the Rafflecopter link)
2 points for Following Jacqueline Green on Twitter (@Jacqwrites)
2 points for Liking Jacqueline Green’s TRUTH OR DARE series page on Facebook
1 point for Following Paper Lantern Lit on Twitter (@PaperLanternLit)
1 point for Liking Paper Lantern Lit’s page on Facebook
5 points for entering Jacqueline’s DO YOU DARE contest
3 points for adding TRUTH OR DARE to your To-Read Shelf on Goodreads
1 point for telling us about a crazy dare in the comments below

So go ahead and click this link (a Rafflecopter giveaway) to enter. We dare you.

(Contest ends on March 31st.)

We are now down to the final ELITE EIGHT and you will help us decide who is going on to the FINAL FOUR by voting for the swooniest boys in each category before tomorrow night!

CONTEMPORARY CUTIES:

Augustus: Physical qualities aside, Augustus’ vocabulary and speaking range were so captivating in the novel. John Green crafts his characters so uniquely and carefully, and the character of Augustus was captivated the moment he met Hazel Grace. (PLL Trendsetter Katherine)

Etienne: He’s definitely drool-worthy in looks and BRITISH on top of that. Points. But he’s also funny and caring, and he doesn’t conform to what the popular group does, thinking on his own and deciding what he believes to be the best, which gives him a deep character. (PLL Trendsetter Hannah)

DYSTOPIAN DREAMBOATS:

Alex: I chose Alex as one of my “dream boys” because he taught Lena about love and romance. He helped Lena to overcome her fears of love and to go against the social norm, in order to be happy and to live a good life. The secret relationship between Lena and Alexi is, all in all, highly romantic, and something that I would love to have for myself. (PLL Trendsetter Caitlin)

Tobias:  If I recall correctly, Tobias isn’t particularly the best looking guy, but I don’t care because he was mysterious and cool and Divergent! I really like how he respects Tris as a girl, not treating her as a fragile person but as a strong, brave girl he knows she can be. (PLL Trendsetter Katherine)

PARANORMAL PRETTY BOYS:

Jace:  I absolutely adore the whole ‘bad boy’ scheme he’s got going on throughout the series and his continuous witty banter is great! Jace, above all, understands the importance of duty, which he displays multiple times in the books. It is his determination to get the job done that attracts me to him the most because it is a quality I admire and aspire to obtain. His sass, courage, and brains (not to mention his killer blonde locks and gorgeously toned body) make him PERFECT boy. (PLL Trendsetter Alexandra)

Daemon: The cruel and cold front he usually puts up is really just for show—don’t fear it. What I love most about this character is his progressive development into a caring person and his willingness to open up, even just a little, to Katy (a stranger to him). Although he hides a lot, it is only to keep everyone safe, which is usually why he keeps Katy at arms length. However, as the story line progresses, we start to see him change and suddenly he realizes that it is not just about him – but about this new girl whose changed his life, too. (PLL Trendsetter Alexandra)

CLASSIC CATCHES:

Harry Potter:  He will Alohomora! his way into your guarded heart.

Ron Weasley: Don’t let him fake you out: he DEFINITELY likes you. It just might take him seven years to finally kiss you. Plus with his ginger hair, you’d never lose him in a crowd.