3 Ways to Write Strong Opening Pages No Matter the Genre
Make your first pages count!
Have you ever read the first page of a book and thought, Wow, I need to keep reading and know what's going to happen next!? As writers, creating an opening like this is what we all strive for, but creating a strong introduction can be surprisingly difficult.
Despite the difficulties that can come with writing a solid opening to your book, it is important. After a reader looks at your cover, they're likely to take a glance at the first page or two to see if the book interests them, so those first few pages must be impactful.
Of course, I'm definitely not saying that the first few pages are the only pages that matter. After all, nobody wants to read a book with beautifully crafted first pages only to find out that the book can't deliver on that perfect setup. That would be like getting served a pretty piece of cake that actually tastes dry and flavorless. But what you do want is to entice readers to keep reading—or, if we're using the cake analogy, the cake needs to look good enough to entice you to want to eat it—so you can deliver the rest of your story in a memorable way.
So, what steps can you take to craft some incredible first pages no matter what genre you're writing in?
1. Make the Stakes Clear
One way to create a compelling introduction to your book is to make the stakes clear. You want your readers to feel a sense of suspense or curiosity so they're encouraged to keep reading.
This can feel a little tricky in some genres, particularly in memoirs or children's books. Remember, though, that you're just establishing the stakes, so you don't have to get too far ahead of yourself and get into in-depth details. If you're not sure how to create clear stakes, ask yourself a few questions. What does your protagonist want? Why does it matter? What happens if they don't achieve their goal or obtain what they need?
For example, in a memoir, you are your protagonist. Let's say that a central theme in your book is resilience, and your book opens at a moment when you applied for a job. Sure, you need a job, but what happens if you don't get that job? How did you feel during that interview? Maybe you describe your throat being dry or the way you fidgeted with the sleeve of your uncomfortable jacket as you try not to think about having to say no to spending time with your friends at a restaurant because you can't afford to pay your portion but refuse to ask for help.
In this example, you aren't just saying, "The interview was important." You're putting readers in your shoes. While this isn't a life-or-death scenario, it's clear why this matters, and readers will be intrigued to find out how you respond next.
2. Introduce Unique Characters in Their Specific Setting
At the start of your book, you're going to introduce your readers to your main character(s) and the world they live in. This might sound like an easy task—and sometimes, it can be—but it's essential to showcase unique elements of your character(s) in a way that isn't overly obvious or cliché.
Before you rush to introduce your readers to every single character that will show up in your book, focus instead on your most important character(s). Try to establish what matters to your characters and their mannerisms in subtle ways by using dialogue and showing rather than telling readers how your character interacts with others and the world around them.
Just as you want to show your readers who your characters are, you'll also want to show them the setting of your story. Give readers some of the basics—where are they in time and space; is this in the real world or in another world, and if the latter, what is different and similar from ours? You can use the setting to convey the mood of your book, so don't hesitate to be descriptive while you integrate your setting naturally into your story.
3. Establish Your Voice and the Tone of the Story
Writers often don't consciously think about their voice and the tone of their story, but your voice and the tone of the story are both important elements of your opening pages. A unique voice and an intriguing tone can pull readers into your world.
To be clear, you don't necessarily have to overthink your tone or voice as a writer; the more you write, the more clearly you can identify your voice and the tone of the story you're writing. However, you do want to make sure the tone of the story and your narrative are consistent.
For example, if you have a witty, charming voice in your story but your book starts out with a halting, snappish voice, you're going to confuse readers. Likewise, if the tone is moody at the start of your book but bright and cheerful for seemingly no reason elsewhere, readers aren't going to feel as if they're reading a cohesive story. Your tone and voice should be consistent, so make sure your introductory pages reflect the way you write throughout the book. If you're not sure what that will sound like, know that it's okay to go back and review those first few pages after you've written everything else to ensure your book flows smoothly.
Creating interesting opening pages takes time and effort, but it's worth the payoff when you can pull a reader into your story with a few paragraphs.
Do you have any suggestions on creating enticing opening pages? Or, are there other elements of storytelling that you find more challenging?
If you are writing a book and want a hand, let us know! Our team—Kim, Emily, and Jean—would love to help you with creating your book. If you'd like to talk about your idea or want advice, we are here for you. Even if we don't work together, I'm happy to share what I know. Book a 30-minute complimentary consultation by clicking here:
https://www.kwepub.com/consultation
We look forward to hearing about your incredible book project.
Write on!
Kim Eley
KWE Publishing
“I’m writing my story so that others might see fragments of themselves.”
—Lena Waithe
Check Out Part of Author Jenean Hall’s Amazing Presentation!
How to use your book as a…time machine! Historian and author of An “Uncertaine Rumor” of Land and Another Day Jenean Hall transported a standing-room-only crowd at the Cape Charles Museum to the 1600s. Her books are a vivid way to experience the history of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Her audience certainly agreed as they celebrated with her. Jenean snagged five speaking engagements this year related to her books. Gain the superpower of moving the hands of time…write your brilliant book!
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Exclusive KWE Webinar: How Muddled Marketing Keeps Nonfiction Authors from Making Money
We’re excited to share our upcoming exclusive webinar, How Muddled Marketing Keeps Nonfiction Authors from Making Money, with guest speaker Suzanne Tregenza Moore on Jun 18, 2024, at 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Eastern!
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Registration Is Open for the 22nd Annual James River Writers Conference!
Registration is open for the 22nd Annual James River Writers Conference, and you can take advantage of early-bird pricing through July 31st! There will be nine online pre-conference master classes on Friday, October 4th, and in-person classes will be on Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Richmond, Virginia.
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Resources:
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Writing groups are often invaluable to writers at all levels of experience and across genres, but finding a group that you feel comfortable with and that’s local to you can be difficult. There are a variety of sites that host writing groups, though they’re not all made equal. Critique Circle, however, is a great option for writers who want to hone their skills and get feedback from other writers.
Critique Circle is a writing group that lets writers offer feedback on others’ works while also making it easy for writers to get constructive critiques on their own works. Founded in 2003, Critique Circle has thousands of active members and is free to use, though you can subscribe to access extra features. Since there are so many writers on the site, it’s easy to both provide and receive feedback from other writers. Overall, Critique Circle is a helpful place for writers who are open to learning from others while sharpening their writing skills.