First Chapters: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

05/25/22 • 68 min

QUICK NOTE! THE BOOK VS. THE AUTHOR

As much as I love the HARRY POTTER series, I am saddened by and do not condone JKR’s attacks on the trans community.

It’s this reason that, for these first chapter episodes featuring the Harry Potter books, I choose to separate my love for the books from the author’s public actions.

I decided to do this because the series has taught me indispensable lessons about great storytelling, and I believe such examples can also benefit burgeoning writers.

However, if you aren’t comfortable separating the books from the author, you are welcome to pass over this episode without judgement. I do not want anyone here to ever feel unwelcome, and I respect and understand your decision.

EPISODE DISCUSSION

Abigail sits down with certified book coach and editor—and fellow Harry Potter nerd and superfan!—Savannah Gilbo to discuss and analyze the first chapter of HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE.

To do this, Abigail and Savannah share their thoughts on how the first chapter, divided into two scenes, sets up expectations and engages its target readers. Abigail and Savannah use the seven key first chapter questions to review the story’s big picture, and then zero-in on the scene structure and compare their notes on each scene’s five commandments.

Although writers should never use the Harry Potter series as a comp, there’s a lot to learn from how the books skillfully tell and execute story.

Don't miss out on Savannah's amazing podcast for writers: FICTION WRITING MADE EASY

Savannah provides a wealth of knowledge and practical tips on writing every week. If you want to improve your craft on writing, subscribe to Fiction Made Easy today!

HERE: https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast

Find us:

Twitter: @abigailkperry @savannahgilbo

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo

Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://www.savannahgilbo.com/

QUICK NOTE! THE BOOK VS. THE AUTHOR

As much as I love the HARRY POTTER series, I am saddened by and do not condone JKR’s attacks on the trans community.

It’s this reason that, for these first chapter episodes featuring the Harry Potter books, I choose to separate my love for the books from the author’s public actions.

I decided to do this because the series has taught me indispensable lessons about great storytelling, and I believe such examples can also benefit burgeoning writers.

EPISODE DISCUSSION

Although writers should never use the Harry Potter series as a comp, there’s a lot to learn from how the books skillfully tell and execute story.

Don't miss out on Savannah's amazing podcast for writers: FICTION WRITING MADE EASY

Savannah provides a wealth of knowledge and practical tips on writing every week. If you want to improve your craft on writing, subscribe to Fiction Made Easy today!

HERE: https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast

Find us:

Twitter: @abigailkperry @savannahgilbo

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @savannah.gilbo

Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://www.savannahgilbo.com/

Previous Episode

Tee Moore ON: Becoming a Career Author and How to Find a Literary Agent

"I'm becoming more intentional about my dreams because my purpose didn't just die when I became a mom, it actually became more realized. Being a mom was just part of my purpose. It's part of the path. I meant to be a mother to these three kids, but I'm also meant to write these stories.” – Tee Moore, Author

Abigail K. Perry sits down with author Tee Moore (rep. by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black, Andrea Brown Literary Agency) to discuss her writer’s journey turned life as a career author and how to find a literary agent. Tee shares important questions writers should ask themselves before they query a literary agent, and how to determine if a literary agent is the best fit for you and your professional writing career.

Tee also emphasizes the importance of building a writing community, and suggests ways to find your own. She also advocates for big dreams and encourages writers, especially writers who are also parents, that they can (and suggest ways to) do it all.

Tee’s Books:

Tee’s Agent:

Jemiscoe Chambers-Black of Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Find us:

Twitter: @abigailkperry @TanisiaTeeMoore

Instagram: @abigailkperry | @tee_moore_writes

Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://tanisiamoore.com

Next Episode

Michelle Brower ON: What Makes a Great Book Club Pick, Creating Community, and How to Write Through the Middle

"I love books that sort of take you through the pain of living in some way. Life inherently has tragedy and hardship. And I love books that take you to that, but also give you an opportunity to see a way out and to see hope in even dark places." – Michelle Brower, Literary Agent at Trellis Literary Management

Abigail K. Perry sits down with literary agent and co-founder of Trellis Literary Management, Michelle Brower. Together they discuss how Michelle and her co-founders formed Trellis (and in a pandemic, no less!), and why they are determined to create a great sense of community and encourage cross pollination within it.

Michelle also shares invaluable writing tips on the craft, some including: ways to test out your POV, what makes a great book club pick (and the kind of book club picks on her list!), and strategies writers can use to write through the middle of their book.

As always, Michelle shares her #MSWL — with comps!

Read the Book(s) in this Episode:

The Collected Regrets of Clover

Find Us:

Twitter: @abigailkperry | @michellebrower

Instagram: @abigailkperry |

Website: www.abigailkperry.com | https://www.trellisliterary.com/michelle-brower