People always say this exact thing about the opening, ending with how it must always be good, great, or even perfect to catch the attention of some mystery gatekeeper. I don't think so, though. Doesn't it just have to be interesting? Attention grabbing?
In any cases I'd rather have an opening that ten agents think suck and won't continue, but one is immediately obsessed with, than an intro any agent would tolerate until the next page-- just enough to ride one extra rung up the gatekeeper ladder.
What I'm saying is that whatever is going to be good about a book ought to make itself clear immediately. Interesting is one of those things. In fact, interesting is the chief thing.
I really enjoyed this article - thank you! I do have a question, though. Do you consider literary fiction to be part of this? I ask, because while I have read some stunning literary fiction, I have also started many literary fiction novels, only to stop thirty pages in and wonder if the author had ever been told they needed to hook their audience. ;-) Literary fiction doesn't always seem to require a plot, either. I get irritated because I have reworked my first chapters over and over to make sure they will hook the reader, but apparently not every genre is required to do this. What are your thoughts?
Thank you for asking! I believe every type of novel ought to justify itself immediately, but for me that doesn't necessarily mean an instant immersion in plot, or character, or voice, or setting, or inciting incident, or any other specific required element; I'm taking about SOMETHING. As you point out, a lot of novels that are referred to as literary fiction (a phrase I detest, BTW) have only the thinnest plot, if any. Plot isn't the thing those books are offering to the world. Fine, I love a lot of novels with minimal plot. But I think whatever it is that these books are going to offer instead should be clear from the get-go.
Once again Thank You! for writing this series. I find the entire process of publishing a book fascinating. After I read one of your posts, I look at the book I'm currently reading with new insight. Now I'll be paying even more attention to the first page.
Omg thank you! I put off creative writing for a few years, but whether for good or for bad, I'm back at it now.
Years ago, I took a creative writing course in uni while studying English Lit and the premise of the first page/opening was a big talking point. So much so that i have a shit ton of notes about it somewhere. I can't believe I forgot about them and the first page/opening itself! Now it's all coming back to me because of this post.
Thank you so much for putting this together! What a great intro too, seeing the agent's assistant really puts things into perspective
Wow, this is such an important reminder about the critical first page. What a smart way to underscore it by putting us in the mindset of that harried, broke editorial assistant!
This is gold, Chris! Thanks for taking us on this journey and reminding us why the manuscript opening is so very important. Now, excuse me, while I go back to my manuscript and rewrite chapter 1 all over again!
This is an amazing piece. Thank you for being so brutally honest, and gracious about the process. Your books have gripped my attention right from the start, though!
Such a great visual of who sees the novel first. The progression of first page readers seems so daunting but at the same time such an achievement if a book published.
Your statement about each book having to justify itself, popped a thought into my head about professional cheerleaders on NFL teams. Regardless of the status of the cheerleader, everyone must tryout the next year, including the captains. The pressure is even greater for the captains than the new candidates.
Good piece Chris. I’ll bet you’re also contemplating the impact: that AI will have on writing and publishing; and, the rapidly declining number of people who will actually sit down and read a book.
As always, I admire your ability to put words together to create a visual (mental) picture with great clarity. Continue to write - I will continue to read.
Thoroughly enjoyed hearing you talk at the Pat Conroy Literary Festival. You shared a lot of really good information, thank you!
Thank you so much!
I followed your Substack link from fb. Thanks for getting the POV of publishing gatekeepers! Loved it.🥰
People always say this exact thing about the opening, ending with how it must always be good, great, or even perfect to catch the attention of some mystery gatekeeper. I don't think so, though. Doesn't it just have to be interesting? Attention grabbing?
In any cases I'd rather have an opening that ten agents think suck and won't continue, but one is immediately obsessed with, than an intro any agent would tolerate until the next page-- just enough to ride one extra rung up the gatekeeper ladder.
What I'm saying is that whatever is going to be good about a book ought to make itself clear immediately. Interesting is one of those things. In fact, interesting is the chief thing.
I really enjoyed this article - thank you! I do have a question, though. Do you consider literary fiction to be part of this? I ask, because while I have read some stunning literary fiction, I have also started many literary fiction novels, only to stop thirty pages in and wonder if the author had ever been told they needed to hook their audience. ;-) Literary fiction doesn't always seem to require a plot, either. I get irritated because I have reworked my first chapters over and over to make sure they will hook the reader, but apparently not every genre is required to do this. What are your thoughts?
Thank you!!
Thank you for asking! I believe every type of novel ought to justify itself immediately, but for me that doesn't necessarily mean an instant immersion in plot, or character, or voice, or setting, or inciting incident, or any other specific required element; I'm taking about SOMETHING. As you point out, a lot of novels that are referred to as literary fiction (a phrase I detest, BTW) have only the thinnest plot, if any. Plot isn't the thing those books are offering to the world. Fine, I love a lot of novels with minimal plot. But I think whatever it is that these books are going to offer instead should be clear from the get-go.
Once again Thank You! for writing this series. I find the entire process of publishing a book fascinating. After I read one of your posts, I look at the book I'm currently reading with new insight. Now I'll be paying even more attention to the first page.
Thank you so much Cynthia!
Omg thank you! I put off creative writing for a few years, but whether for good or for bad, I'm back at it now.
Years ago, I took a creative writing course in uni while studying English Lit and the premise of the first page/opening was a big talking point. So much so that i have a shit ton of notes about it somewhere. I can't believe I forgot about them and the first page/opening itself! Now it's all coming back to me because of this post.
Thank you so much for putting this together! What a great intro too, seeing the agent's assistant really puts things into perspective
Thank you so much Kelly! I'm so glad to help.
Wow, this is such an important reminder about the critical first page. What a smart way to underscore it by putting us in the mindset of that harried, broke editorial assistant!
Thank you so much!!!
This is great, thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you!!!
Completely relate to this.
Can I invite you to check my substack? I write about Cognitive Narrative.
There’s a great little book “The First 100 Words.” You sum up much of the insides of it in your essay. Thanks.
This is gold, Chris! Thanks for taking us on this journey and reminding us why the manuscript opening is so very important. Now, excuse me, while I go back to my manuscript and rewrite chapter 1 all over again!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it.
This is an amazing piece. Thank you for being so brutally honest, and gracious about the process. Your books have gripped my attention right from the start, though!
Thank you Vanessa! That’s a lovely comment.
Such a great visual of who sees the novel first. The progression of first page readers seems so daunting but at the same time such an achievement if a book published.
Your statement about each book having to justify itself, popped a thought into my head about professional cheerleaders on NFL teams. Regardless of the status of the cheerleader, everyone must tryout the next year, including the captains. The pressure is even greater for the captains than the new candidates.
Thank you!!!
Good piece Chris. I’ll bet you’re also contemplating the impact: that AI will have on writing and publishing; and, the rapidly declining number of people who will actually sit down and read a book.
As always, I admire your ability to put words together to create a visual (mental) picture with great clarity. Continue to write - I will continue to read.
Thank you!
I cannot put you down
Thank you so much!