The Secrets to Publishing Success

Writer´s Digests Jane Friedman tipsar om oundgängliga länkar.

Här är exempel på vad första sidorna i ett manus inte ska innehålla:

- Flashback on first page
- Too much backstory or explanation, slowing story down
- Waiting for the protagonist to appear (or unclear protagonist)
- Starting with an alarm clock or ringing phone
- Lots of characters introduced on first page
- Ordinary day stuff (getting out of bed, walking to kitchen, etc)
- Ordinary crisis moment without distinct voice or twist
- Too much telling about the story, not enough showing
- Nothing happens -- no action or problem
- Interior monologue: in character's head, just lots of thinking, no acting or interaction with anyone else
- Predictable story start or story line without a unique take
- More of a journal entry (stream of consciousness), and not a story
- Wrong starting point; not starting at a point of change
- Too confusing, not enough reason or motivation to figure out what's happening

PS: Kom ihåg att regler är till för att brytas. Bara det finns en tanke bakom det och ett konsekvent genomförande.