Below is the first page of a published novel. Before I reveal the title/author, please read the first page and consider a few questions:
Do you have a sense of the story problem?
What do you learn about the two protagonists?
Are you curious to read on?
Even if you’re not keen on the subject/genre, that’s okay. Review this page for the craft and technique.
On the ferry from Hyannis to Alice Island, Amelia Loman paints her nails yellow and, while waiting for them to dry, skims her predecessor’s notes. “Island Books, approximately $250,000 per annum in sales, the better portion of that in the summer months to folks on holiday,” Harvey Rhodes reports. “Seven hundred square feel of selling space. No full-time employees other than owner. Very small children’s section. Fledgling online presence. Poor community outreach. Inventory emphasizes the literary, which is good for us, but Fikry’s tastes are very specific, and without Nic, he can’t be counted on to hand-sell. Luckily for him, Island’s the only game in town.” Amelia yawns—she’s nursing a slight hangover—and wonders if one persnickety little bookstore will be worth such a long trip. By the time her nails have hardened, her relentlessly bright-sided nature has kicked in. Of course it’s worth it! Her speciality is persnickety little bookstores and the particular breed that runs them. Her talents also include multitasking, selecting the right wine at dinner (and the coordinating skill, tending friends who’ve had too much to drink), houseplants, strays, and other lost causes.