For this post, I'd like you to grab the first page of whatever story you're currently working on.
Just the first page.
Go on. I'll wait here.
*whistles*
Got it?
Read it.
All done?
Now answer the following questions based on this single page.
1) Is it clear who is telling this story, or who the story is about?
2) Is something happening?
3) Is there a conflict present in what's happening?
4) Is something clearly at stake for this character?
If the answer to any of these is "no," revise accordingly until that "no" becomes a "yes."
Your first page is important. It's the foundation for reader interest (that is, it determines if the reader will continue reading).
The traditional rule of thumb says that if you haven't grabbed the editor's attention in the first five pages of your manuscript, they'll likely pass. Why take the risk?
Set the stage on page one for everything that will follow, giving your reader no choice but to keep reading all the way to The End.
Be Brilliant!
~Katie~
