The most basic of mistakes can cause an agent to reject your manuscript
before they make it past the first page (or a reader to stop reading). Some of them are mistakes even
seasoned writers make. There is one easy, simple rule and it is this: By the
end of the first page the reader must want to turn it. You have to pique their
curiosity, their interest, and make them want to know more. If you annoy them
with basic blunders though they won't want to keep going.
While most people love a bit of prose no one wants to drown in it. If you spend paragraphs describing something just be sure the tension is building, a question is forming in the reader's mind, or something interesting is happening. Also, do not pile information or back-story on the reader in the first few pages. Push yourself to see how many pages you can last without putting any back-story in at all. A prologue is different because it usually isn't an information dump, it's usually happening now. Try to avoid flashbacks if you can. They have their place in some manuscripts but certainly don't belong in every manuscript and are most powerful when used few and far between.
Avoid clique beginnings at all costs. Agents rarely make it past the first paragraph of a clique beginning. Some examples are; weather, answering the phone, and the morning routine. Strive for originality, not something you read in another book or saw on TV. Respect your reader's intelligence. You don't have to explain every little detail, either in description or conversation. If the typical person would know something you can leave it out. Happy writing!
~Heather
Author of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll, Born Of Fire, Channeler's Choice, and coming in May of 2012, To Ride A Puca. A short story of Heather's is also available in the free In His Eyes eBook anthology.
Heather, I love this. I'm reading a friends series... love the plot and concept... but the problem I'm having is it feels a bit juvenile. I love juvenile, But this is an adult thriller. The reason I think this, is he tells "too" much, like I can't think and read between the lines. Sometimes what is not said, is the most powerful part of the work. I need to remember this.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a great reminder.
An adult thriller that feels juvenile, that's probably not good. I wonder if the author switched over from writing the YA genre. That can be tough to do!
DeleteGreat suggestions! Nothing drives me more crazy than a cliche opening.
ReplyDeleteMe too! If the opening is clique I often put the book down and don't pick it back up again.
Delete"If you spend paragraphs describing something just be sure the tension is building, a question is forming in the reader's mind, or something interesting is happening." . . . So, so true! I am guilty of sometimes getting lost in description, and this is an important one for me.
ReplyDelete