Think you have a great opening to your novel? Check it against this

[paragraphs]

I hang out on Absolute Write in the YA and fantasy sections, and I swear every day I have the time to tromp around I find another gem of a post.  The one I ran across today was posted in response to a guy's opening to his fantasy novel--egads, he's got a looonnngggg way to go, and doesn't want to hear advice, I don't think.  No competition from this guy I don't think.

The best bit came from novelist Anne Mini's blog (a fantastic blog btw). No, I didn't know who she was, but turns out she is the stepdaughter, apparently very beloved stepdaughter of Philip K. Dick (deceased).  You know, BLADE RUNNER, TOTAL RECALL...other amazing stories.  Never mind that though--she took the time to pull together a really incredible list of 74 things a first page must not do if one hopes for it to pass muster in an agent's or editor's hands.  The blog explains how the list came about:   74 Things   

I just ripped my first page through the list and am happy to say, after some minor tweaking, I believe it would pass that muster.  Grin.  It is an eye-opening list, without doubt.

If you write fantasy or YA or are interested in either, you should join me in my haunting of Absolute Write.  I'm echnos on there.  Am laying fairly low though--I'm there to learn, not blather what little I know--at least for now.  

Comments

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

www.absolutewrite.com

Might be, I'm not sure--I keep my erotic side quiet on there. LOLOL. That is the OTHER me...C-2 Grin.

C-1

[dazzababe.livejournal.com]

Found it! It's under "water cooler". I'm learning some new tricks already. It'll probably be a while before I post there though.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

There are some great threads found all over the place--I can get lost on that site for hours. I tried several other writer sites but this is the one I stuck with--and best of all, it is free unlike many others. :)