Sunday, April 22, 2012

Call for Submissions!

The other day I was reading Nicole Zoltack's blog post containing a checklist for the First Five Pages. Now, I would never ask you to send five pages for posting--(you shouldn't as it would be considered published and might cause problems at a later time), but I thought we could use the checklist for the first 400 words of your WIP.

Here's the checklist (I've tweaked it a bit for a shorter section):
1. Is the page engaging?
2. Do you want to keep reading?
3. Is the main character likeable?
4. Is the scene set clearly enough to ground the reader?
5. Is the voice strong?
6. Is it passive/telling?
7. Is the pacing too slow, too fast, or just right?
8. Does the dialogue sound stilted?

If you would like to have these questions answered for your first 400 words, send them in to unicornbellsubmissions@gmail.com with First 400 in the subject line.

I'll post as many as I receive over the next few days.
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13 comments:

  1. Susan OloierApril 22, 2012 at 8:42 PM

    Those are excellent questions to consider. Plus, Nicole is wonderful!

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  2. Brooke R. BusseApril 22, 2012 at 8:52 PM

    I would send mine in but I have a lot to add to my opening scene that I haven't added yet so it would kind of be counter-productive.

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  3. AmberApril 22, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    Just sent mine :) Thanks so much for all your help!

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  4. Aldrea AlienApril 23, 2012 at 1:49 AM

    I've just sent mine off, though I've a feeling I already know some of the answers. It's always interesting to see what another's opinion is. ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  5. TorggilApril 23, 2012 at 3:01 PM

    This is a good idea. I'll have to come up with 4 or 5 hundred words for you, of something new.

    Cheers,

    Torggil, a follower.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownApril 23, 2012 at 3:08 PM

    Thanks for doing this Charity :) Just sent mine over!

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  7. Michael Offutt, Phantom ReaderApril 23, 2012 at 4:14 PM

    Oh sweet. Critiques are always so useful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Alicia Willette-CookApril 23, 2012 at 4:42 PM

    Does it count that my first page is being critiqued by mshatch and co next month? I'm always up for MORE critiques!!

    ReplyDelete

Your turn.

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