From Maui to an English estate, killers to beauty queens, this year’s SYTYCW authors enthusiastically captured our attention on the very first page. Unique voices, unusual settings, and a range of genres —our authors had it all. With so many intriguing entries, we couldn’t bear to limit our random selection to six— so we included two more! Thank you to everyone who participated in Monday’s challenge. Read on for feedback from our expert editors!
- First Page Critique – The Virgin and Her Modern-Day Knight by Helen Sanchez
- First Page Critique – The Last Stop by Theda Fresques
- First Page Critique – Falling Deep by Tasha Taylor
- First Page Critiques – Untitled by Scott Springer
- First Page Critiques – Untitled by Chantal Fermsae
- First Page Critique – Untitled by Shadia Hazelden
- Bonus First Page Critique -Tradewinds by Lisa Goodwin
- Bonus First Page Critique – Untitled by Maurine Howell
12 replies on “Challenge results are in!”
Thank you so much for the invaluable critique,I can’t wait to go back over the opening pages and put the advice into action! Thanks again
Great feedback for all first pages – such a valuable lesson for everyone hopefully, with some tips to take away. :o)
Scott Springer has a new fan with a single first page! Having lived in a cube environment myself for nearly 3 years, I immediately related to this character and I would definitely keep reading past page 1. I loved it!
These were such fun to read for us. We’re hoping to read a whole lot more of these when the contest starts! Hope you enjoy the rest of the week!
These critiques were all so helpful and encouraging! I greatly appreciate the positive feedback and the help you offer aspiring authors.
Congratulations to all the 1st page selection winners! Also, big thanks to the editors for offering this contest and their great advice. Even though my page wasn’t selected, I found all the critiques enormously helpful.
Oh…one question: How many entries were there? Again, thank you very much and I look forward to the rest of the contest!
I need to read Chantal Fermsae’s dancing geek-girl! Totally my sort of heroine and I felt she has a good voice, the writing had a good flow to it. More please!
Congratulations to the first page winners. The critiques were helpful, thanks for sharing all.
Thanks so much for the feedback. Have spent the day taking it all on board and trying to improve the story. This is a first attempt at this writing thing!
Helen – thank you for your kind comments. Hopefully you can one day soon read more of Emily.
Thanks so much for taking part, everyone!
Thank you so much! This was much needed confirmation that I may just have a story to tell.
Thank you for all the feedback. I, too, was intrigued by Scott Springer’s hero. The characters from the other first pages were interesting, too, in their own ways. I’m looking forward to reading all the first chapters.
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!