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When reading for our recent PitchMadness, we noticed the entries that didn’t make it to the agent match was because the first words weren’t hooking us. There wasn’t a unique element to pull us in, the setting was right but the action was too familiar, or the story started in the wrong place. So we decided to do another workshop focusing solely on the opening page.
Shelley Watters, Erica Chapman, and the writers at YAtopia are joining me in critiquing your opening words on their sites this month.
Here how it’s going down…
If you want to join in sign up on the linky below. Remember your entry will be placed on our blogs and critiqued not only by us but also by your peers. We’re accepting up to 40 60 participants. We’ll be critiquing two each per day starting March 26. Depending on the success, we may open another round at a later date. After you sign up on the linky below email your first 250 words of your manuscript (finished or unfinished – any genre) to brendadrakecontests@gmail.com. Again, don’t wait. Email your entries right away.
Only the first 40 60 will make it into the workshop, so hurry and sign-up now!
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This sounds awesome! Thanks for the opportunity. 🙂
Looking forward to it!!
After attending a writer’s conference this weekend, it’s become abundant;y clear my first line needs work. Thanks, guys!
Thanks so much for doing this. Every little bit helps.
Every bit of critique helps. This will be great.
Sounds great! I have re-written my first paragragh a gazillion times. I feel like it’s never right. This will help!
Can we enter if we were in Pitch Madness?
You may enter if you were in the PitchMadness and feel you need more work on your opening page.
So, I take it you cannot enter unless you have a website? Or am I missing something?
Sounds awesome. I’ve heard that of my entire book, the beginning is the most confusing, so it’s definitely the part where I need the most critiquing. Thanks so much for the opportunity!
You don’t have to have a website. Just enter “none” where it asks for one.
Or make one up – like http://www.idonthaveone.com LOL
Brilliant- love that this contest came up just as I have a new WIP to try out! Thanks Brenda, you are awesome 🙂
Thanks, Brenda!
I lurked during the pitch madness and picked up a lot of good info, so this time I will offer up the first page of my WIP. Thanks to all of you for volunteering your time for critiques!
Any specific formatting requirements? Single spaced, no indents, include title in Subject line, etc?
http://www.idonthaveone.com…hey that’s my website.
Thanks for doing this great workshop.
Thanks for yet another great workshop! You are sparkly awesome Brenda!
Nice! I have one on the back burner this would be perfect for… Thanks, Brenda!!
Awesome! I love your workshops! Thanks!
Thank you! Not only do you give us another chance for growth, you put the “any genre” comment in parentheses for those of us challenged by this whole “reading” thingy. You’re a nice lady!
Sounds awesome. You always have the best chances Brenda. Keep it up. i love your site.
Thanks! This will be great!
I’m being really easy on this since it’s not a contest but a workshop. Normal formatting, title of work, and if the 1st 250 ends in the middle of a sentence just go to the end. We’ll format. The email messes it all up anyway. 😀
Thanks for doing this B! You guys are the best! <3
This is an awesome opportunity!
I’ve entered before and felt my first page and pitch improved. Thanks for another opportunity 🙂
Awesome! Sounds fun 🙂
I wasn’t a part of the madness but I watched from the sidelines. This workshop sounds awesome!
I am not a YA writer, so I am assuming this is not open to me. But you are so awesome at posting these contests. To return the favor for all of you hard work I am tagging you in a Lucky 7 meme over at arielswan.blogspot.com. And thanks for opening so many opportunities to writers out there.
Ooh, thanks! Sounds like a blast!
It is open to all genres MG/YA/Adult.
Thanks Brenda for the URL info!
Sharon
Missed the madness, but workshop sounds like a great idea.
-Mia.
I’m excited to hear your opinions! Good input leads to better output 🙂
This sounds great! Thanks!
Thanks. What a great opportunity.
Thank you!!
Thanks so much! Looks like fun.
This looks awesome!!
Oops, I didn’t put the title (Crow’s Rest) in my email–do you want me to resend or can you match it up?
Thank you so much!
This is awesome…Thanks so much 🙂
Angelica, I’ll match it up. Thanks!
*comment!*
Anya, hahaha, it’s that linky that asked for the comments. I must update that. Thanks!
Looks like I am a little late for this party but that’s okay. I’ll make sure to check things out when the crits get shared, learn from the great writing of others and ways to improve upon it.
It’s really great you’re doing this 🙂
Aww, so sorry, Angela. It really filled up fast, you didn’t have time to be late. LOL Get ready for TheWritersVoice in May! <3
*facepalm* In my zeal to get in quickly, I fail in following directions. Thanks, hun. <3
Wow those are a lot of first pages!!! You guys are awesome. Good luck to everyone.
*programs brain to get ready for the writer’s vocie in may*
Alright, I’m waiting for you to let her rip.
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