Dec 10 2008
Surviving to Page 2
I'm a former assistant editor with advice about how to write novels, comic books and graphic novels. Most of my content applies to fiction-writing in general, but I also provide articles specifically about superhero stories.
Many manuscripts get nixed on the first page. Here are a few things that publishers want to see early on.
1. Is it easy to read through? If your first page introduces many characters, fictional words, place names and the like, the story is probably a slog. If your first page is hard to understand, your manuscript is dead on arrival.
2. “Do I care about this story?” The easiest way to make a reader care is to give urgent, pressing goals to a likable protagonist. If nothing’s at stake, readers will probably find the story boring. If the reader doesn’t care on page one, your submission is in grave danger.
3. Does the author have a professional grasp of English? If the author has glaring grammar or punctuation problems on page one, they’re just going to assume you’re an amateur and move on to the next manuscript. Making a good first impression is important.
4. Does it look like the plot is going somewhere? If the first page gets bogged down in a geography lesson, or a winding prologue, or a lengthy exposition, the answer is probably no. Pacing the first page well is extremely important.
Hello. I’m new here and find your site incredibly informative. I have a book I have been working on for a few years now and would like some critique on my prologue. I’m not really sure of how a prologue is to be executed, but do know what I like in one. I tried to write mine in a manner that draws curiosity and compels the reader to want to continue. I believe I have done that, but I guess I’m nervous about what a publisher might think. Is there anywhere here that I could submit my prologue for some peer review? Thanks in advance.
sincerely,
/FM
Hello! I just put up a review forum for you so you can post your excerpts and get comments more easily.
Thanks for the tips. Actually, can I request a review forum as well? I’d like to share my story that I’m writing as well.
Sure. Here it is.
I’d like to have my passage reviewed by you guys. I don’t know how to do it though.
Umm, you can post it here or e-mail it to us at superheronation-at-gmail-dot-com . If you’d like a review forum, I can set that up for you.
I’ve visited your site regularly for months now and the information I’ve gathered here has proven to be invaluable in the creation of both my characters and the world in which they live. I noticed that you set up a review forum for several of your visitors and was hoping you could set one up for me as well. I’ve never let anyone read any of my work and I’m hoping for some criticism, constructive or otherwise, to help me iron out some of the things I feel I’m missing from my work. Thank you for amassing such an amazing collection of advice and information for inexperienced writers such as myself.
Hello, Kove. I’ve set up a forum for you here. Good luck!