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.
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 FIFTY PAGES
Well then, let’s study those first few pages in other people’s stories, shall we?
Today I snagged from the New Release shelf:
When the Shooting Starts: A Smoke Jensen Novel of the West
by William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone
At last, I have done it! I have read a western. I was expecting something a bit saccharine, a bit melodramatic, and much to my delighted surprise, I got neither of those things.
If you do not see the audio player above, you can access the podcast here.
The first five pages of When the Shooting Starts by William W. and J.A. Johnstone don’t coddle us readers with updates on the previous three books; instead, we’re thrust into a conversation between the protagonist Smoke Jensen and an old acquaintance named Rowdy. Both were gunmen for hire in the past, but these days Smoke has settled into a domestic life as a rancher and family man, while Rowdy is eager for work. The fifth page ends with readers learning that another man named Louis, who also shares some old shadows with these men, has settled in the town, and Rowdy don’t much care for that.
I will be the first to admit that as a writer, these first pages are a lovely example of bringing a reader up to speed without any exposition dumps. Because Rowdy knows Smoke from his previous life, it’s expected of Rowdy to ask Smoke questions about what’s been going on the past few years. Smoke succinctly answers them, never diving into much detail, but giving just enough so readers understand what Smoke is like and why. The dialogue never drags, nor is any single event ever dwelt on. This keeps the scene moving crisply along without making readers feel like *this* story’s been put on pause for a recap.
If I had one niggle, it’s the protagonist Smoke making a couple of choices that, as a gunman, seem obviously foolish but necessary for the sake of plot. For a former gunman who would need to read people very quickly for the sake of staying alive, he has some very obtuse moments with Rowdy that I can only assume will ensure this story’s plot gets moving.
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 still wonder about the issue of whether or not to put a recap of the previous book in the beginning of a next installment. When I asked my editor about this, he said, “NO… no, no, no.”
So when I wrote the second book in my series, I added bits of recapping throughout the story when it was most necessary. Then, how about my beta reader, Who had read what was formerly my first book, said that she would’ve liked a little recap of book one in the beginning of book two, to help her remember all that had happened.
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It’s a constant debate, isn’t it? I do wonder if it depends on the story. This western, for instance, was able to swing it easily. Some mystery series I’ve read don’t bother, which does invite occasional confusion, but it’s pretty short-lived.
I could see needing a recap for my first novel, but I would NOT want to try and shoehorn it into the story; I’d rather just have a “Previously on” kind of prologue instead. 🙂 Thanks so much for reading!
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Oh gosh, it’s been years since I read a western. This one might be worth a go. That said, I doubt it is in Australian libraries.
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I could see that being the case, Peggy. I don’t think I’ve ever read a western from start to finish, so we’ll see if this series makes me change my mind!
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I can recommend ‘Lonesome Dove’ by Larry McMurtry. Read it years ago.
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Thank you! I’ll have to check it out. 🙂
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I dint think I’ve ever read a true western novel. I quite fancy that idea. xxxxxx
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It was a nice change! I’ll always love my mysteries and such, but the historical shift is a lovely bit of escape.
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