š NEW: Iāve created a FREE guide inspired by some of my most popular Substack articles. The Writerās Launch Kitāis packed with actionable checklists and insights to help you polish your manuscript, refine your query, and navigate the submission process with confidence.
Thank you for sharing these tips. I laughed at myself, for I indeed did open my creative nonfiction with the protagonist looking in the mirror. š¤¦āāļøHowever, I do it specifically to introduce the conflict right away--that she does not see who she thinks she is supposed to see. I am wondering if that still might be a cliche? š¤
Shell, that's a good point. If she's looking in the mirror saying, "I see mousy brown hair and realize this is not my reflection..." it could be interesting. Or if the character is walking by a mirror and catches the reflection -- the cliche is usually someone brushing their teeth and looking in the mirror, getting ready for something and looking in the mirror or just simply looking in the mirror to dissect their appearance... if you can put a new spin and surprise the reader, then bonus.
I was so looking forward to reading this because I wanted to test it against my current first ten pages. I really struggled with the info dumping my first time around (and the amount of rejections I got proved it lol).
But I have done a ton of work and I really believe my first ten pages have a lot of the good elements you listed while avoiding many of the items you mentioned that can lead to a rejection. So Iām very excited when I finish this current draft of my manuscript. I think I might actually get some full requests!
Thanks as always for providing your insight, Renee!
"within the first five to 10 pages" I can tell in the first page. But then I'm a scoundrel : ) All kidding aside Renee this is absolutely splendid advice. I'm jealous, a couple of these I thought were my own private ace cards... Like throwing in a joke, or at least an absurdity as fast as possible.
I can see it within the first page too, if itās there. However, I like to ensure Iāve read enough to make a more informed decision.
For those who say, āBut it really takes off on page 50āā¦ have answered their own question on why people stopped reading. Thatās often the first clue to writers on moving up the action and starting in a different place.
You know whatās funny about this though. I remember reading Harry Potter and the Sorcererās Stone as a ten year old, and barely making it through the first 50 pages, which was where to my young mind the story picked up. As a nostalgic adult, I love those first fifty pages now, but back then? Hard sell!
Thank you so much, Renee! This is amazing advice...and now I'm off to review my first 10 pages and see where I'm making these mistakes both in the novel I'm pitching and my current WIP.
This is a wonderfully helpful piece. As someone in the trenches of querying, Iāve updated my first 10 several times. The feedback Iāve received (and havenāt received ::nervous laugh::) from agents has been helpful in honing in on the most impactful beginning to my story. These are great tips; thank you for sharing!
So glad you're getting some helpful feedback to help you hone your work. It's great that you're seeing how certain tweaks can make a big difference, especially in those first pages.
Carolyn, overwritten would be adding a bunch of world building, lore, or other unnecessary information trying to front load the story or "set the scene".
So okay, okay, here we go, Reneeā¦ -Cracks knuckles- We open with a character waking up and getting ready for their day. They look in the mirror, describe themselves, note the rain streaking the window behind them. But it turns out theyāre still asleepā¦! Itās just a dream! So they wake up for real, to begin their day for real, heart skipping a beat. Definitely onto something here š
Michael, that is an amazing opening. I got chills down my spine. At one point my blood ran cold, but I gnashed my teeth and let out a breath I didnāt realize I was holding, and I got through it.
"Many writers begin with long-winded backstory or world building, leading to a slow build up that postpones the real action and slows the pace, overwhelming readers with unproductive information." - This drives me nuts!
Thank you for sharing these tips. I laughed at myself, for I indeed did open my creative nonfiction with the protagonist looking in the mirror. š¤¦āāļøHowever, I do it specifically to introduce the conflict right away--that she does not see who she thinks she is supposed to see. I am wondering if that still might be a cliche? š¤
Shell, that's a good point. If she's looking in the mirror saying, "I see mousy brown hair and realize this is not my reflection..." it could be interesting. Or if the character is walking by a mirror and catches the reflection -- the cliche is usually someone brushing their teeth and looking in the mirror, getting ready for something and looking in the mirror or just simply looking in the mirror to dissect their appearance... if you can put a new spin and surprise the reader, then bonus.
Itās hilarious that you mention āmousy brown hairā!! Thatās how I always described myself. š
Thanks Renee, very valuable advice, even for my about-to-be-self-published erotic memoir! Iāll go back and run a ruler over the first 10 pages.
Sounds good, Rebecca. Self-published or traditional, itās always important to get and keep your reader engaged.
I was so looking forward to reading this because I wanted to test it against my current first ten pages. I really struggled with the info dumping my first time around (and the amount of rejections I got proved it lol).
But I have done a ton of work and I really believe my first ten pages have a lot of the good elements you listed while avoiding many of the items you mentioned that can lead to a rejection. So Iām very excited when I finish this current draft of my manuscript. I think I might actually get some full requests!
Thanks as always for providing your insight, Renee!
Awesome, Colin. Fingers crossed. Let me know if you have any questions.
"within the first five to 10 pages" I can tell in the first page. But then I'm a scoundrel : ) All kidding aside Renee this is absolutely splendid advice. I'm jealous, a couple of these I thought were my own private ace cards... Like throwing in a joke, or at least an absurdity as fast as possible.
I can see it within the first page too, if itās there. However, I like to ensure Iāve read enough to make a more informed decision.
For those who say, āBut it really takes off on page 50āā¦ have answered their own question on why people stopped reading. Thatās often the first clue to writers on moving up the action and starting in a different place.
You know whatās funny about this though. I remember reading Harry Potter and the Sorcererās Stone as a ten year old, and barely making it through the first 50 pages, which was where to my young mind the story picked up. As a nostalgic adult, I love those first fifty pages now, but back then? Hard sell!
This is wise
Thank you so much, Renee! This is amazing advice...and now I'm off to review my first 10 pages and see where I'm making these mistakes both in the novel I'm pitching and my current WIP.
I've saved this for future reference.
Renee, love this. Writers could also use some of this advice for writing personal essays on Substack. Thank you!
Absolutely, Debbie.
Treasure trove of information and advice here!
Thank you, Maryann
Great advice! You capture the problems I see all the time.
Thanks, Karin.
This is a wonderfully helpful piece. As someone in the trenches of querying, Iāve updated my first 10 several times. The feedback Iāve received (and havenāt received ::nervous laugh::) from agents has been helpful in honing in on the most impactful beginning to my story. These are great tips; thank you for sharing!
So glad you're getting some helpful feedback to help you hone your work. It's great that you're seeing how certain tweaks can make a big difference, especially in those first pages.
Really really great advice. Thank you!
Youāre welcome, Frank š
Your first piece of advice already has me worried. Can you elaborate on what you mean by not having the first pages be overly written? I
Carolyn, overwritten would be adding a bunch of world building, lore, or other unnecessary information trying to front load the story or "set the scene".
So okay, okay, here we go, Reneeā¦ -Cracks knuckles- We open with a character waking up and getting ready for their day. They look in the mirror, describe themselves, note the rain streaking the window behind them. But it turns out theyāre still asleepā¦! Itās just a dream! So they wake up for real, to begin their day for real, heart skipping a beat. Definitely onto something here š
Michael, that is an amazing opening. I got chills down my spine. At one point my blood ran cold, but I gnashed my teeth and let out a breath I didnāt realize I was holding, and I got through it.
Haha. I knew itād resonate, Renee! Youāll find that the metaphor-heavy, sophisticated literary style really elevates the text, too. š
Seriously though, insightful piece, Iām glad to have found it! Thanks for sharing!
Youāre very welcome, Michael. Thank you for the laugh. :)
"Many writers begin with long-winded backstory or world building, leading to a slow build up that postpones the real action and slows the pace, overwhelming readers with unproductive information." - This drives me nuts!
Iām with you, Chris. I think the only person who can get away with this is Stephen King, but it still drives me nuts.
Oops have the mirror scene on the second page. Will definitely rewrite this!! Great tip
Yay, my plan is working š Good catch, Meg.
This is some of the best advice I've found on Substack.
My first project was notated by my best friend who happens to be an editor.
I told him not to hold back.
He did not.
That's quite a compliment, Zani. Thank you. I'm glad you found helpful.