Comments on: JWAM reader request no. 17: The dread first chapter http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/01/23/jwam-reader-request-no-17-the-dread-first-chapter/ writing, reading, eating, drinking, sport Thu, 09 Feb 2012 07:42:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lesley http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/01/23/jwam-reader-request-no-17-the-dread-first-chapter/comment-page-1/#comment-75288 Lesley Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:50:36 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=3033#comment-75288 Justine, Thanks so much for your response about my question regarding the first chapter. I laughed at your comment about not reading agent blogs. I actually decided to stop doing that for a bit and focus on reading mostly writer blogs instead. I'm finding that to be much more helpful in learning about the process/craft as well as editing, and really, just the life of a writer. Plus, it's fun, and it isn't half as stressful! You had asked if anyone else has read my book, and the answer is yes. I'm pretty lucky in that I'm a high school English teacher and am surrounded by very well-read, intelligent teachers with Master's degrees, and I trust their opinions very much. That said, I'm a rule follower, so while reading the agent blogs, I try to learn about what they are looking for, and like I said in the other post, the initial pages are extremely important. I've queried a novel before and had good success getting partial and full requests, but in the end, they all resulted in rejections. I'm prepared for rejections this time as well but definitely want to send out the best first chapter possible. I think reading the agent blogs at this stage in the process for me may not be the best thing because I keep changing things to please everyone. I'll just focus on the best beginning possible. Thanks again for your answer to my question and the others as well. It's very beneficial for all of us. Best, Lesley Justine,
Thanks so much for your response about my question regarding the first chapter. I laughed at your comment about not reading agent blogs. I actually decided to stop doing that for a bit and focus on reading mostly writer blogs instead. I’m finding that to be much more helpful in learning about the process/craft as well as editing, and really, just the life of a writer. Plus, it’s fun, and it isn’t half as stressful!

You had asked if anyone else has read my book, and the answer is yes. I’m pretty lucky in that I’m a high school English teacher and am surrounded by very well-read, intelligent teachers with Master’s degrees, and I trust their opinions very much. That said, I’m a rule follower, so while reading the agent blogs, I try to learn about what they are looking for, and like I said in the other post, the initial pages are extremely important.

I’ve queried a novel before and had good success getting partial and full requests, but in the end, they all resulted in rejections. I’m prepared for rejections this time as well but definitely want to send out the best first chapter possible. I think reading the agent blogs at this stage in the process for me may not be the best thing because I keep changing things to please everyone. I’ll just focus on the best beginning possible.

Thanks again for your answer to my question and the others as well. It’s very beneficial for all of us.

Best,
Lesley

]]> By: Katy Cooper http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/01/23/jwam-reader-request-no-17-the-dread-first-chapter/comment-page-1/#comment-75254 Katy Cooper Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:14:19 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=3033#comment-75254 I used to freak out about that "I know within two pages..." stuff, too, until I started judging writing contest entries. That's when I came to an understanding of that statement that works for me. Basically, if something's not strong, it's going to show almost immediately. If someone's writing chops aren't yet up to a publishable level, it's going to show immediately. <em>That</em>, to me, is what the "I know in two pages" thing means. Beyond that, I think it becomes a matter of key and lock. The key (your writing) isn't going to work in every lock (for every agent/editor). It doesn't mean your key is a bad key; it just hasn't found its proper lock. I used to freak out about that “I know within two pages…” stuff, too, until I started judging writing contest entries. That’s when I came to an understanding of that statement that works for me.

Basically, if something’s not strong, it’s going to show almost immediately. If someone’s writing chops aren’t yet up to a publishable level, it’s going to show immediately. That, to me, is what the “I know in two pages” thing means.

Beyond that, I think it becomes a matter of key and lock. The key (your writing) isn’t going to work in every lock (for every agent/editor). It doesn’t mean your key is a bad key; it just hasn’t found its proper lock.

]]> By: Justine http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/01/23/jwam-reader-request-no-17-the-dread-first-chapter/comment-page-1/#comment-75229 Justine Sun, 25 Jan 2009 09:57:18 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=3033#comment-75229 Yup, it's important that all the chapters be good. But a strong first chapter's going to keep people reading and not put the book down. No worries on commenting a lot. I like to see people being enthusiastic. Yup, it’s important that all the chapters be good. But a strong first chapter’s going to keep people reading and not put the book down.

No worries on commenting a lot. I like to see people being enthusiastic.

]]> By: writergirl http://justinelarbalestier.com/blog/2009/01/23/jwam-reader-request-no-17-the-dread-first-chapter/comment-page-1/#comment-75217 writergirl Sun, 25 Jan 2009 07:59:23 +0000 http://justinelarbalestier.com/?p=3033#comment-75217 I think all the chapters are hard. not that ive wrritten anything super long. im posting to much I think. woopsy! I think all the chapters are hard. not that ive wrritten anything super long. im posting to much I think. woopsy!

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