Let’s Look At Openings – Round Two
How compelling is the first page?
It’s time for Round Two. To remind you how this works, anonymous participants who aren’t afraid of the comments they’ll receive submit the first 100 words of their work, and you, the readers, say if they would like to read more and why or why not.
This time, rather than taking the first five entries, I’ll make a random selection from those that submit their openings between now and Saturday. In order to do so, you must be brave enough to put your work forward for the public to shred discuss. 😉 If you would like to submit your opening, you may email the first hundred words of your unpublished novel in the body of your email (no attachments, please) to rluellam at yahoo dot com. Next Monday I’ll post the randomly selected openings, and then the fun can begin.
Becky, I hadn’t yet discovered Spec Faith when this was done the first time, so I don’t know what I may be in for. Shredding…?
Thanks for a potential opportunity!
Maria
That’s right! I thought that first endeavor was a great success. I’d like to see Spec Faith run a contest some time. If we get enough interest in this, we just might do it.
Becky
Oooh, I would love to submit mine! Going to review/tidy it a little bit, then will send… 🙂
Great, Bethany. I know for me, it’s motivating just to know others will read and evaluate.
Becky
I put one up last time, so this time I’ll merely sit back and participate in the shredding. Goody!
Lately, the best opening line I’ve seen was from one of the Dresden novels.
“The building was on fire, and it wasn’t my fault.”
That’s a great one, Kessie.
Kessie, I don’t know how many submissions we’ll receive. You’re welcome to put another one in if you have it — they’re anonymous and I’ll select randomly. Your call.
Becky
I’ll poke around and see if any of my other stories have decent hooks on them. My hook-sharpening skills are rusty. 🙂
Wish I would have seen this a year ago. I’m in negotiations with a publisher and cant really share my work with large groups of people at this time. But it encourages me to see what you guys are doing at this site and I will spread the word. Also, I see that you have some accomplished authors/editors who blog on this site. I would not mind sharing my work in private with one or two people if they were interested and willing to give a critique.
Randy Blackwell
CEO Lamplight Media
Author “Secret of the Magi”
http://soterion.com/Stories.html
http://soterion.com/Gallery.aspx
Becky,
Last time it was a ‘fun’ seeing everyone else’s entry shredded. I plan to summit – for the chance at a learning experience.
I propose a change to the game. Allow six entries, one of yours being added to the mix. It isn’t fair to exclude you from the fun.
Thanks for thinking of me, Bob. I’m tempted. But we have submissions coming in left and right and it’s only Wednesday. I hate to take up one of the spots. If I do submit, I’ll throw mine into the mix and let Random do the picking. 😉
Becky
I’m in – it could be a good learning experience to get shredded.
Sent! Good idea. I must’ve missed the first contest.
Becky, did you receive my entry? I sent it to:
rluellam at yahoo dot com
Thank you,
Maria