First page of a manuscript

Well at Mission San Jose

I’ve attended a couple of writer’s conferences where a panel has read the first page of someone’s (brave souls’) manuscript in front of the audience. Usually the name of the author is not disclosed. But you know when it’s the first page of your own manuscript when the first three or four words are read and there you sit in the audience, holding your breath, straining to hear what the editors or agents are saying as they dissect your first page while you try and take notes hoping no guesses that’s your work up there. Or maybe the comments are great and you want everyone to know that’s your page. But most of the time, there is always room for improvement. 

 

We all struggle, at one time or another, with that dreaded first page that we hope will draw the reader in. Here is a link on Bookshelf Muse that offers a few tidbits that might be helpful as you revise that manuscript again. 

Synopsis: A brief summary of a story, novel, or play. As part of a book proposal, it is a comprehensive summary condensed in a page or page and a half, single-spaced. – Writer’s Digest Weekly Planner