HEMMING AND HAWING AROUND, WONDERING WHAT NEXT?

First draft of my film script is done. Still no name. Yesterday, during my walking time at the local Walmart—where I never buy anything—I thought for sure something would arrive from the muse about a name for my script, but, no, nada. 

Paul Cézanne

This morning I did some reworking of the first three paragraphs of my novel, Ghoul World. I want the agent/reader to get caught up real quick. I'm thinking I might go to the library and read the first three paragraphs of several dozen novels. At least, the opening paragraphs of the most popular novels. Of course, I have that many novels on my own book shelves, but do I want to read the first three paragraphs of only great literature? I don't think that's the best way to go for someone whose goal is "to get someone other than myself to publish a novel (or produce a film) I've written". 

Of course, the oft repeated statement that the opening paragraphs are so very important has a major hole in it. What about the 4th paragraph? The first chapter? Don't forget, I tell myself, an agent/reader can dive into the first three paragraphs of your book and then get tired of swimming somewhere on page ten if the writing doesn't continue to interest. How many novels have I begun, then set aside after several chapters? Well...........okay, not many. I'm addicted to reading.

In the last analysis, all these tricks of the trade mean nothing if one can't write an interesting tale with engaging characters. Does the motto, FINISH STRONG, ring anyone's bell?