You've Got Five Pages, The Lost Library by Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass, to Tell Me You're Good.
First published
01/05/2024
Genres:
arts
Listen to this episode
Summary
The first chapter can make or break a reader’s engagement with a story. We as writers must craft brilliant opening pages to hook those picky readers, so let’s study the stories of others to see how they do it! My daughter Blondie came to me a few days ago hoping I could share Rebecca Stead and Wendy Mass’ The Lost Library with you, so here we are! I can see why Blondie enjoyed this Middle-Grade tale, too. We have a by-the-rules cat determined to keep mice out of the old house’s basement but refuses to eat them. Mortimer the cat is also a bit envious, for cats do not have many words while mice do. The multiple references to this in the first chapter leave us readers wondering if those abilities with words have something to do with this Middle-Grade mystery. Overall, this first chapter does a fine job establishing the story: we have a sense of our protagonist, we have a sense of how he interacts with others, and we also have a little bit of mystery established with Mortimer describing a guilty feeling about a library book cart in the house’s basement. Why is there a book cart down there? How could old library books make a cat feel so guilty, guilty enough to shoo mice along instead of eating them? I’m intrigued! And hey, if you've got a young reader in your household, The Lost Library could be a fun little mystery to share with them for a little extra after-school read. And what will you find in those first five pages? Let’s find out! Cheers!
Duration
Parent Podcast
You've Got Five Pages...To Tell Me It's Good
View PodcastSimilar Episodes
You've Got Five Pages, Babel by R.F. Kuang, to Tell Me You're Good.
Release Date: 03/31/2023
Description: The first chapter can make or break a reader's engagement with a story. We as writers must craft brilliant opening pages in order to hook those picky readers, so let's study the stories of others to see how they do it! Goodness, ANOTHER happy find! I don't know if I've ever had such a run with great books on this podcast. :) Babel by R.F. Kuang not only has a fascinating book cover, but an intriguing premise as well: the world's magic is manipulated through words and silver, and in the early 1800s, England is the master of that magic. The opening is not set in England, though, but in China, where a young boy awaits his death from cholera, the same illness that had already taken his family. A mysterious British professor knows where he lives and magically heals him before taking him to the English Factory. Where this factory actually is I've no idea, as this would take us past five pages, but I can safely say the first five pages do a wonderful job of hooking us as readers. Kuang's use of descriptive language wastes no time ensnaring us with her description of the boy's mother dying of cholera and his acceptance of his fate. On the second page, we're already shown a magic healing; while it doesn't tell us how the boy is healed, it's enough worldbuilding for us to know that some have magic, and others do not. As a writer, I'm also intrigued by the details dropped about the mysterious professor and English woman who helped raise the boy. What is it about this particular child that has drawn distinctively different English people to him, thousands of miles away in China? I don't know, but I'm excited to find out. :) What will you make of these first five pages? Let's find out!
Explicit: No
You've Got Five Pages, Homecoming by Kate Morton, to Tell Me You're Good.
Release Date: 04/14/2023
Description: The first chapter can make or break a reader's engagement with a story. We as writers must craft brilliant opening pages in order to hook those picky readers, so let's study the stories of others to see how they do it! Well, we had a good run. The prologue has returned, and a rambling prologue, at that. Kate Morton's Homecoming opens with a woman named Isabel. Isabel is pondering various things while hanging up some bunting for a New Year's Day family celebration. The prose itself is well-crafted, and there are certainly some interesting lines that help us feel the weight of natural Australian dangers on Isabel as she's out and alone. Actually, Morton's quite good at dropping hints of danger and trouble within Isabel without Isabel actually saying these are troubles--moments relating to her depression, her marriage problems, her desire to do away with her own kids, her "guilty conscience" and her determination to "make things right"--it's all quite good foreshadowing for SOMEthing to happen. And the prologue does end with the promise of something bad about to happen. The downside, at least to me, comes with how long it takes to reach that moment. We spend the entire prologue with Isabel thinking. That's it. Now a few pages of thoughts can be well done, for as I mentioned, Morton's cleverly hiding hints of danger within Isabel's psyche. But it's a slow, slow process through all of Isabel's thoughts, and by prologue's end I'm saying, "Thank goodness THAT'S over." That's not what a writer wants a reader to feel. As writers, we've got to make every line count. We shouldn't need to hide a hint of foreshadowing beneath a mountain of exposition. A little goes a long way, whether one's writing a short story, a novel, or anything in between. And what will you learn from these opening pages? Let's find out! Cheers!
Explicit: No
You've Got Five Pages, Northwoods by Amy Pease, to Tell Me You're Good.
Release Date: 02/23/2024
Description: The first chapter can make or break a reader's engagement with a story. We as writers must craft brilliant opening pages to hook those picky readers, so let's study the stories of others to see how they do it! What a delightful find! Amy Pease’s debut Northwoods is yet another mystery set in Northern Wisconsin, but I promise you, this prose and establishing chapter promise some fun thrills in the future. Her first chapter is only two pages long, yet in those two little pages, we see our protagonist Eli down on his luck and himself, floating alone out on a lake in the middle of the night, sipping whiskey and reflecting on life. We’re not told he’s sad or depressed—we see it. Plus, the vivid sensory details of the night woods around him add to the isolation of the setting while also helping us feel Eli’s loneliness…that is, until something strange floats into his vicinity. At the end of that chapter he swims quickly ashore, unsettled, and reaches for his scanner. A couple of pages into the second chapter, we learn he’s not only in law enforcement, but a military veteran. So, if something in the water scared HIM, then we as readers can only imagine it wasn’t good. Sure, I’m naturally a little biased for Wisconsin-set stories, but Pease does a marvelous job of balancing world-building information with active narrative. This keeps the story’s pace in motion while readers continue to learn about life in this little vacation spot in Wisconsin. For those seeking a little mystery outside the gritty city life, Amy Pease is sure to transport you into the dark, unknown wild of the North Woods. And what will you find in these first five pages? Let's find out! Cheers!
Explicit: No
You've Got Five Pages, Gallant by V.E. Schwab, to Tell Me You're Good.
Release Date: 08/03/2022
Description: The first chapter can make or break a reader's engagement with a story. We as writers must craft brilliant opening pages in order to hook those picky readers, so let's study the stories of others to see how they do it! Once again, we've got a story with a "bait and switch" kind of prologue. There is a single page before Chapter 1 that comes from what I imagine to be the antagonist's point of view, establishing this deadly hidden realm that is thirsting for the life on our side of "the wall." The prose itself? Lovely. The angatonist? Threatening. The shadow realm? Eerie. But was that trip really necessary? For the first chapter of Gallant by V.E. Schwab is a marvelous introduction to protagonist Olivia and her blessing/curse of seeing ghouls. We see Olivia dealing with the relatable bully conflict in a school setting, and the foreshadowing of this school teaching girls to be "ghosts in other people's homes" is an excellent allusion to whatever the shadow realm. Olivia's plight and life intrigue us as readers, and the scene with the ghoul in the garden shed is an excellent first exposure to the supernatural element at work in the story. So as a writer, I wonder why on earth we needed the dramatic peek at the antagonist at all. It feels like an unnecessary show of life-and-death stakes rather than letting the story reach that point organically. And what will you, fellow creative, learn in the first five pages? Let's find out!
Explicit: No
Similar Podcasts
From The Other Side Of The Glass
Release Date: 09/14/2020
Authors: Audiobrien
Description: Got a story to tell? Audiobrien's "From The Other Side Of The Glass" is your chance to tell it, and share it. So if you've got a good one, get in touch, we want to record it.
Explicit: No
Sound In Five Podcast
Release Date: 08/12/2020
Authors: Far From Home Entertainment
Description: We challenged entertainers to tell us their top five most influential songs...and things got interesting
Explicit: No
The Solid Signal Podcast
Release Date: 03/16/2021
Authors: Stuart Sweet
Description: It's the Solid Signal Podcast! Everything you wanted to know about the stuff you've got to have!
Explicit: No
You've Got To Be Kidding Me
Release Date: 08/26/2020
Authors: Voices of Wrestling
Description: Garrett Kidney and Liam Jones are journeying through TNA history one month at a time talking about all the highs and lows of TNA history - covering the great matches, memorable stories and utterly ridiculous moments that have defined the 19 year history of TNA with new episodes every two week!
Explicit: No
You've Got To Be Kidney'ing Me !
Release Date: 06/06/2021
Authors: Maddie Davis
Description: Ever wonder about how our kidneys work? Or how we treat kidney diseases? This is the podcast for you! Enjoy this three episode podcast helping explain our renal system!
Explicit: No
TimewithPrissy's Channel
Release Date: 04/11/2021
Authors: TimewithPrissy
Description: This world is becoming too hard for good people to thrive but you can succeed, you've got Jesus!
Explicit: No
What’s your excuse?
Release Date: 09/11/2020
Authors: Matt Smith
Description: Giving you everything I’ve got to help, just tell me and I’ll give more! So, tell me, what’s your excuse?
Explicit: No
BuggedCast
Release Date: 04/30/2021
Authors: Bugged PlayerMC
Description: Welcome...my name is bugg.Relax it's just me and you now,tell us the secret the most sinister yet creepy story that you've save in your deepest mind.Welcome to "BuggedCast"Sincerely BuggedPlayers
Explicit: No
MrGossPodcast
Release Date: 04/29/2021
Authors: Mr. Goss
Description: Listen to me good, I got alot to say.
Explicit: No
COLLIE LEWINSON
Release Date: 09/05/2020
Authors: COLLIE LEWINSON
Description: Tell me what do you guys think about the Five Guys
Explicit: No
Live It Better With Jesse
Release Date: 08/13/2020
Authors: Akatah Jessica A
Description: This is the only life you've got, live it at its best, live it to the fullest, it's yours _ and every bit counts.
Explicit: No