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.
Oh, sure. It didn't occur to me that agents would hold many perspectives when reading submissions, even though, as an academic editor, I do that for clients (reading for laypeople, the academic reviewer's requirements, and their supervisor's personal preferences). I feel like I should've realized this sooner, but I didn't, and I'm grateful you mentioned it.
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
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.
Renee, love this. Writers could also use some of this advice for writing personal essays on Substack. Thank you!
Absolutely, Debbie.
Great advice! You capture the problems I see all the time.
Thanks, Karin.
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.
"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.
Not currently writing a book, but found this really insightful! Thanks for connecting, Renee - glad we crossed paths :)
Ditto š
Treasure trove of information and advice here!
Thank you, Maryann
Valuable article and helpful examples. Thank you so much.
Youāre very welcome, Susan :)
I really appreciate this advice. I read with 2 hats for work, but it never occurred to me that others would too.
Glad I could spark an idea, K. Do you mind clarifying what you mean by āothers would work tooā?
Oh, sure. It didn't occur to me that agents would hold many perspectives when reading submissions, even though, as an academic editor, I do that for clients (reading for laypeople, the academic reviewer's requirements, and their supervisor's personal preferences). I feel like I should've realized this sooner, but I didn't, and I'm grateful you mentioned it.
Ah, got it :)
Very helpful pointers for we aspiring mostly unpublished authors!
Glad it was helpful to you, Linda.
Just checking the first 10 pages in my WIP!
Sounds good, Maureen. š
Thank you! Iām now subscribed!
Welcome, Tracy! So happy youāre here :)
Great points - thanks.
Thanks, Robin š