First Page Dos and Don'ts

I had a humbling experience today. For months (okay, maybe years), I have struggled getting my first page/chapter down to a perfect form. This has been frustrating. I write an inspiring opening scene, add beautiful prose and voila!

A MESS!


Why is it a mess? Because the scene I just wrote belongs in the middle of the book, or no where at all.


Did I give up? No, of course not. I kept revising, editing, taking out, putting something new in. Then...my cousin Andrea Pearson, author of The Key of Kilenya sent me a 'Tweat' of a very helpful website. Granted, I have found several (see side panel), but this one came at just the exact moment I needed it. The website, How to Get Published, had a post today called : How to Grab Them on Page One. I read it, took notes and then skipped back to another even more helpful post called: Garlic Breath, or What Not to Do on Your Opening Page


Very insiteful. Very helpful, and yet everything I should have known before.


Note: I was breaking all but ONE of the rules! 


Plan: Completely re-write my first chapter(s)


Now, aren't you glad you can learn from my mistakes? I'm sure I am *giggle* Stay Tuned for--THE AMAZING BLUNDERS OF KATHRYN ROBERTS!