You've Got Five Pages, Whalefall by Daniel Kraus, to Tell Me You're Good.

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! Firstly, I apologize for that two-month break, fellow creatives. Blondie broke her leg a couple of days after my August podcast, and it’s been a whirlwind of doctor and therapist visits since then. Now that we’re finally finding a new rhythm with school and recovery, I can return to my library’s New Release shelf to see what’s happening! And Blondie helped me pick this one, too. 😊 “Hey, Mom, isn’t that like the James Bond movie Skyfall?” Well I don’t think Daniel Kraus’ Whalefall has anything to do 007, Kiddo, but I do wonder if the font for the title was made to look like the Bond film title on purpose. 😊 ANYWAY, the opening pages of Kraus’ work are quite compelling. I was admittedly skeptical when I saw Gillian Flynn’s generic “Astoundingly great” blurb on the front cover—what does that even mean?! The first two brief chapters not only introduce us to protagonist Jay, but also his conflict with his family, his difficult relationship with his father, and the path to redemption he feels he must take in order to come to terms with his father’s death. That’s a hell of a lot to pack in just a few pages, but Kraus succeeds while also providing a unique rhythm of prose, the long, contemplative thoughts punctuated with brief lines of intense sensory detail. It’s a rhythm I’m willing to listen to for a while, and if you’re looking for a unique read about a teen’s journey into the waters to combat his grief, then Whalefall is certainly worth a look. And what will you find in those first five pages? Let's find out! Cheers!