I can\u2019t tell you how many manuscripts I see that just don\u2019t seem very interesting or promising when I read the first few pages. If I continue on, however, I will often get into the story and actually enjoy it.<\/p>\n
I always wonder, why did this seem like it would be a dull book? Why didn\u2019t the author\u2019s description pique my interest and prepare me for enjoying this story? How did this seemingly mundane, dreary book suddenly catch my interest? Why did it take so long for this to happen?<\/p>\n
Most novelists and memoirists desperately need help writing their openings and describing their books. In fact, as I read through some of the books I evaluate and\/or edit, I wonder why the author didn\u2019t go back and rewrite the first page or two after completing the book? That\u2019s also when you should write your synopsis and your back cover copy\u2014after you\u2019ve completed the book. <\/p>\n
Most authors, however, don\u2019t truly know what their book is about. They don\u2019t understand what it is about their story that is going to entice the reader. They don\u2019t get what is actually intriguing about their books. <\/p>\n
You\u2019ve probably read books that were a real surprise to you. The book was actually nothing like what you thought it would be. The description and the first few pages you scanned did not represent the book at all. Sometimes this is a happy surprise and sometimes you feel scammed.<\/p>\n
Oh, how many times we have been scammed. The book is touted to be a lovely story of a cat, for example. But it turns out to be a personal memoir and a history lesson. <\/p>\n
If you are writing a book, I have a couple of suggestions.<\/p>\n
Once you\u2019ve finished your book and after you\u2019ve edited it a whole bunch of times and you\u2019ve done a lot of fact-checking, etc., revisit your opening. Is it as intriguing as the bulk of your story? Does it aptly represent what is to follow? Does it even relate to your story? Most of all, does it grab the reader and make him\/her want to continue reading?<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s an idea: after completing your manuscript and making it as readable as possible, make copies and give it over to several friends to read. Then ask them to describe your story. You\u2019re not asking for an evaluation or critique, you want them to describe it as if they are giving a book report. <\/p>\n
You can provide them with a questionnaire and ask them to give detailed responses. Ask, for example, \u201cWhat is this book about?\u201d \u201cWhat is the point of the story?\u201d \u201cAt what point in the story did you begin to enjoy it?\u201d \u201cWhat would you suggest for making this book better?\u201d<\/p>\n
Most good books have a point of no return\u2014a place in the book where the reader gets hooked. You want to know when that happened for your test readers.<\/p>\n
Pay close attention to what your readers say and you might just get the material you need to rewrite your opening, write your book proposal synopsis and prepare some really good back cover copy.<\/p>\n
If you need help writing a book proposal<\/strong>, establishing a career as a freelance article writer<\/strong>, promoting your book <\/strong>or starting your own publishing company<\/strong>, consider signing up for Patricia Fry\u2019s on-demand, online courses. Read about them here: I can\u2019t tell you how many manuscripts I see that just don\u2019t seem very interesting or promising when I read the first few pages. If I continue on, however, I will often get into the story and actually enjoy it. I always wonder, why did this seem like it would be a dull book? Why […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/courses.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"