While at the Pikes Peak conference last week, I did a panel on first-page reads. It’s so hard finding the right way to get readers—and agents and editors—to buy into your story!
There’s nothing brilliant and new here—I think I’ve said things like this at every conference!—but it can be new to the first-time author, so it’s worth repeating. :)
For the read and critique, we had an agent, editor, and author join in on the same page. It was interesting to see where we came from. There was overlap and there were also differences. Which doesn’t make it easier for the author struggling to portray the best opening.
I think the one thing we all agreed on was that nine times out of ten, the story was starting in the wrong place. For most, we found something later on the page that was more effective. For some, it might be later in the chapter.
There are many great books about the best ways to start a story, and there are also ways that just won’t work. still, the goal is to capture the reader and keep the pages turning.
So take a look at the opening line of your page. Is it showing off your voice? Your character? Your tone or your setting? Is it laying the groundwork for something to come later in the chapter? Is it full of setup so the big switch will be revealed? Is it a setup leading to the real opening?
Although I think having an effective opening is needed, do keep in mind that the opening you write first, doesn’t have to be the final opening. Get to the end of the book and then figure out what you need in your opening. A lot of times things change for the story, the characters, and even for you.
If you can, share the page with others. Knowing nothing else about the story, do those readers want to get to page two? Does the story start with dialogue or action or conflict? Is this the moment just before things change? The moment after? Is there something there drawing you in?
It’s one of the hardest things—as well as knowing how to end the book and figure out what happens in the middle! Still, it’s worth trying and getting feedback and then deciding if the feedback fits with your goals.
What do you think? is there a favorite style or opening that works for you? What captures you as a reader?
Pikes Peak Conference 2022
Elizabeth, me and Naima — Photo by Jared —thanks for sharing!