Am I still doing this? Posting writing tips for other writers that I find on other websites, thus minimizing the actual work I have to do myself? I must be.
Anyway, I came across this bit from Tracy Marchini and thought it was first rate. Without a doubt, the first page is the most important page of your whole novel. It is the page people will open to in order to see if they want to purchase the book. It can’t just be good. It has to entice.
It also never hurts to check out other first pages to see what other authors do to hook readers. Go and visit Miss Snark's First Victimand check out the entries in her Secret Agent contests. Which ones are good? Which ones are bad? Which ones garnered a request from an agent? It’s a great way to see firsthand what works.
What are your thoughts on first pages? Any tips to share with the rest of us?
I spend way too much time on my first page, and I still don't get it right.
ReplyDeleteMy first page needs some work, but I think I have a killer opening paragraph. Time will tell :)
ReplyDeleteI agree. The first page of a novel will make or break the book. It's gotta pull people in. I love websites for writers. Thanks for posting them. :D
ReplyDeleteDon't start out the first page with "They never expected to arrest the First Lady for murder, but...."
ReplyDelete