Author's Analysis of the First Chapter of Columbia

Yesterday, I posted the first chapter of Columbia for readers to get a sneak preview of the book. Today, I have posted an analysis of that chapter.

One of the most common questions that I am asked is how the novel takes shape: how are the characters established, how do I choose the places that they inhabit, and why are other specific choices made?

Why do readers need to know what kind of tobacco or whiskey Seymour prefers?

I hope I will answer some of those questions, and interest you with some other comments on the structure and framing of this first chapter. Take a look at the redlined chapter analysis here.

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Read the First Chapter of Columbia for FREE

The first chapter of my debut novel Columbia is now available for free at: https://bit.ly/2HLdQp8 . If you have already bought the book, I hope you enjoy the sneak preview. If not, I hope it whets your appetite and convinces you to pre-order a copy . In the book's opening, readers will meet Gerald Seymour, a powerful but mysterious White House aide who is committed to breaking tradition, even if it means breaking Washington. Fair warning, there is a little bit of language in this chapter (it seems Seymour is not a fan of the Attorney General or the Director of the FBI). In my next post, I am going to analyze this chapter, including factors like the choice to write Seymour with colorful language coming out of his mouth, and a bunch of other writing choices I made when shaping this all-important opening chapter.

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Two Trees, Two More Miles

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