The letter F is for the First Two Pages (of your manuscript).
First, she offered a Workshop Class on how to make your first two pages really stand out from the slush. Here are my notes:
As soon as possible:
1. Establish your character and voice
2. Establish the conflict and move the story forward
3. Establish the tone
4. Establish an indication of setting
5. Catch the reader off guard - to grab them and keep them reading
Goals of first two pages:
1. Create interest in the character and the plot
2. Create intrigue
3. Create investment
Anticipate the pauses when someone is reading and make these your paragraph breaks.
Then she read many pages from participants and critiqued them. Imagine American Idol. (But Suzie is SUPER NICE, unlike Simon.) That was very productive.
What tips do you have for making the first two pages fantastic?
I think those tips are great. I think it has to be dramatic right from the start.
ReplyDeleteI still prefer Simon Cowell and think the current season of American Idol without him is rubbish!
Duncan In Kuantan
Thanks for the tips, I have nothing to add. I disagree with Duncan. I love this season of Idol mostly because of the amazing talent but also because he is not there. I find nothing charming about being a prick.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! A tip from me...
ReplyDelete1. The first sentence should mean something, foreshadow what's coming and make readers ask the right questions.
2. The first sentence should serve as mini conflict.
Good luck with the challenge!
Great tips and, that's a lot to accomplish in two pages!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips to keep in mind. Definitely a bookmark link. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've noticed with children's writers workshops that the editors like to offer free critiques as part of the workshop, as well as use what they received during the workshop. I don't recall that from my RWA days, but maybe it's a new thing industry-wide. I like it, although I still prefer the "pitch sessions" RWA chapters provide at workshops to "paid critiques."
ReplyDeleteThis is great!!! Thanks so much for sharing these tips. I'll definitely be taking a closer look at my first pages with this in mind :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful tips! I need to get busy on my first two pages. This post made me want to go write.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! Too bad they're all easier said than done, right lol!
ReplyDeleteI loved those workshops, too. Learned a lot! Suzie is awesome (total fangirl right here!). Margo had to practically hold me down I was so excited!
ReplyDeleteAwesome tips! When I attended a first page critique at the James River Writers conference, the agents gave some pointers, too, such as:
ReplyDeleteDon't have your character wake up.
Don't start out with a dream sequence.
Don't info dump/too much back story.
Don't over-describe things.
Suzie is super nice. She gave me the nicest rejection letter I've ever seen. I actually didn't even feel rejected.
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tips!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. Thank you for sharing. I am planning to study the first chapters of as many bestselling authors that I can find and see if I can get the magic formula. But your tips already helped me out. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the great post. The other thing I heard from an author is craft your first 2 pages to be the best they can be, and then make the rest of the novel as good! Tall order. Thanks for the great information.
ReplyDeleteI haven't a single tip to offer. I am at the soaking up all the tips I can find stage. Thanks for these.
ReplyDeleteThese are great tips. The whole article is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteMaryV
Those are great tips. I can't really think of anything to add. =)
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! It's very important to grab the reader's attention right away.
ReplyDeleteGreat info. Sounds like the classes were well worth it. =D
ReplyDeleteThese are fantastic tips! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteExcellent tips! Thanks for sharing. :-)
ReplyDelete