Fabulous First Page

I didn't think I wanted to read this, but the first page changed my mind...

(Looking for my recent free newsletter with TONS of writing links and resources?)

So. This contemporary novel was recommended by a friend, but when I read the book’s description I thought, nope, nope, I don’t think I want to read this.

I decided to be openminded. I would read the first few pages and see how I felt. Well, after the first few pages, I was hooked. I finished the book three days later.

That’s the power of a good first page.

Before I reveal the book, I’ll start with a reminder of all the things a first page should try to do:

A first page should:

• Hook the reader right away and invite them into the story.

• Set the scene and the overall tone of the novel.

• Introduce a main character (and/or introduce a main setting or theme).

• Hint at a conflict, situation, mystery/secret, or question.

• Set reader expectations.

This book did all of those things and had something else going for it: a unique storytelling device. I’ll explain what I mean later.

For more on first pages, check out:

• This post about first pages from

  Karin Gillespie
  .

• This post on Jane Friedman’s blog about first pages.

• The September episode of

  The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

  podcast, “Making Something Unexpected Happen in Your Opening Pages.” Agent CeCe Lyra gives an interesting dialogue suggestion, taken from screenwriting, that I’d never heard before.

Now, without further ado, let’s find out the book and read it’s fabulous first page…