Love Your Character...to death, if needed!
I just finished reading a good strong fiction novel-one in a series-with a strong Main Character (MC). The author has successfully done what every writer should aim for: develop a MC with pizazz!
The MC became my friend. I got involved in his daily life. I hurt when he hurt (which was often), I laughed at his jokes, and I schemed right along beside him when the chips were down. We could all learn from this author--develop a strong character, put him/her in the middle of the ocean, and bring on the sharks!
I admit, my early writing attempts fell short of this plan. To be honest, I wouldn't even read those stories now. I've seen the light. I get it.
The challenge to write an attention-grabber begins on the first page; heck, it begins in the opening paragraph. Writers do not have the luxury of building the story, setting the scene and painting the picture before the MC falls off a cliff. The MC should fall off the cliff, or at least dangle from it, from the very beginning. Only then will the reader be drawn in and want to know more. Example:
The firey Thunderbird zoomed down the mountain road. Long dark tresses blowing in the wind, Andrea lit a cigarette. She looked away from the winding road for only a few seconds. That's all it took.
I want to read more. This story begins when the action does. I don't need to know Andrea ran away to Italy. I don't need to know she left her honeymoon because she caught her new husband with her maid of honor. I don't even need to know her husband took out an insurance policy on her life. Those things will come. Right now, I need to know if I'm going to read this book.

Where have I been for the last year? Apparently NOT blogging! Let me just say I haven't been overly successful in my endeavor to stay current. Hope to do better. I will begin by saying I just had my first e-book published on www.ipulpfiction.com
It's in the series DON'T READ THIS IN THE DARK and my book is THE SPELL OF THE AFRICAN AMULET. To view my book, it's currently on the top shelf. To download, you need to create a free account-upper right corner-and create a PayPal account, if you don't already have one. I have been told this is the safest way to purchase ANYTHING on the 'net, so why don't you take a few minutes and set yours up? It's not that hard--if I can do it, YOU can do it.
The experience of publishing an e-book was very painless. I saw the call for submissions in a monthly newsletter and just happened to have a story that fit the bill.
My contract is for one-year, after which I retain all rights. The pay is royalty-based, with no money 'up front'. This means if someone downloads my book for $.50, I get a percentage. Not expecting to 'get rich quick', but it's a credit that will go on my resume.
I felt the editor did a great job editing my manuscript. They suggested several proofing edits and only one writing change, which we were able to work through.
For my generation, holding an actual book and reading is far better than going on-line and downloading, but I have grandchildren for whom on-line networking is a way of life. They have pets they feed, walk and groom on-line. They even watch TV on-line. Reading can only be the next step.