Hello, amazing fellow creatives! Here’s to more fun perusing the library’s new releases to see what strikes our fancy. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve retitled Story Cuppings to better fit the premise of the podcast.
As writers, we hear all the time that we’ve got to hook readers in just the first few pages or else. We’ve got to hook agents in the first few pages or else.
Well then, let’s study those first few pages in other people’s stories, shall we?
Whether you’re looking to get published or just hoping to hook your reader, first impressions are vital. Compelling opening scenes are the key to catching an agent or editor’s attention, and are crucial for keeping your reader engaged.
JEFF GERKE, THE FIRST 50 PAGES
Today I snagged from the New Release shelf:
What will you, fellow creative, learn in the first five pages? Let’s find out!
If you do not see the audio player above, you can access the podcast here.
I have to be honest–the opening pages of Verity by Collleen Hoover did not move me to keep reading. Hoover’s prose style cuts like a knife, and her word choices say a lot with a little. But there’s something about the intense message about Manhattan’s lack of humanity mixed with a protagonist who *desires* to lose her humanity and be “as hard as the concrete” beneath her feet that makes it very difficult for me to relate to this protagonist as a reader, especially when considering the bloody death the protagonist witnesses in the first five pages. The protagonist is determined to *not* connect and *not* empathize. This approach certainly gives the writer opportunity to build layers that can be peeled away as the story progresses, but a reader has to be invested to see that happen first.
This is just my reaction as a picky reader, though. Perhaps you’ll feel differently about this book–or whatever book I select next from the library’s New Release shelf.
As always, I love hearing what’s on the shelves of your own libraries. Libraries Rock!
Read on, share on, and write on, my friends!
Jean Lee's World 
I agree. There wasn’t enough to draw me in.
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Yes, exactly. I know an unlikeable protagonist can definitely be done, but this was just too much in the opening pages for me.
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Yeah. Agree with Peggy. I also feel that it’s good to be a picky reader, that way when something pases muster then it means more.
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Indeed, Shey! Our time with words is so very precious. Let’s make every page count. xxxxxxx
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It is why I like your 5 pages feature xxxx
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Thank you so very much, Shey! I really enjoy doing it–and it exposes me to books I would never even think about trying before! Granted, I return some right away, but that’s why I like using the library for this podcast. 🙂
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I think it’s a great way to feature books and find the, xxxx
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I’m a picky reader, too, and I often think that this hyperactive drive to pack as much action into the first five pages can also ruin the tenor of what’s to follow. That sounds like what happened here from your review although didn’t read the book so can’t know for sure. Thanks, Jean, for your ever thoughtful analysis!
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That’s a reeeeeeally good point, Pam! If Hoover wanted to show the protagonist’s disconnect from humanity, a less extreme scene could have done it without making this person seem *completely* detached. And opening with something as harrowing as someone’s skull getting crushed by a car is just…it’s just too much. Ugh.
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Right?! We all do it because we’ve been told we have ti but writing shouldn’t be formulaic but fabulous and free!😂♥️
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Yes, like a wee bird leaving its nest! Lots of frantic flailing, but soaring, too. 🙂 xxxxxxxxx
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😂😂😂great analogy!
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Another great podcast, Jean. The whole thing sounds rather strange to me. Bring on the Western!
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Ack, I didn’t get to the western this time! They had some sort of pioneer girl series this week, but they were later books in the series again. I’ll be watching, though, for after all my gab I definitely need to do at least one, lol. 🙂
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I have to be a picky reader these days. So much to read. Too much for the time I have. That’s why I love your approach. It helps me so much. Hope your doing well xxxxxx
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There really is! And Blondie keeps telling me I have to read certain books, and oh kiddo, I wish I had the time…
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