#opening hook

Common writing mistakes that are killing your first page #writetip #amwriting

These common mistakes will ruin your first page The first page is the most important page in your novel. It is the first impression a reader (and therefore an agent/editor) will get. A potential reader will judge your entire book based on the content in these few paragraphs. Getting it wrong could mean no one will ever read your book. No matter how many opening pages I read, many fail because…

Are you murdering your first chapter? #amwriting #writetip

The best ways to ruin your first chapter Most writers know that a novel needs a great first line, but what happens after that? So many beginnings fall into the same problems. While identifying clichés is simple enough, that isn’t going to guarantee a successful opening. Many opening chapters suffer from structural problems that prompt a complete rewrite or even tossing the pages in the bin. Don’t…

The secret to nailing that opening line #amwriting #writetip

The Secret to Writing a Great First Line The first line is the most examined line in your entire book. Many readers will use this small collection of words to judge your entire book. Make sure your opening line is selling your story. According to Jeff Gerke, an opening line must be simple, engaging, and appropriate for the tone of the book. (The First 50 Pages, p. 193) Creating a simple opening…

A checklist for a compelling first page #amwriting #writetip

  Nothing brings a writer more agony than writing the first page of their novel. There are plenty of articles listing what not to do on the first page, but what writers really need is a list of “dos” What a first page must do 1. Start the story This might seem like a facepalm piece of advice, but I’ve seen enough manuscripts to know that too many writers do not start their stories on the first…