How’s it going out there? We’ve reached our equilibrium in the Puglisi household and are making things work. It’s hard to wrap my brain around the idea of the kids not going back to school until August (if then, Lord help us), but what can you do? We’re adjusting and finding our new temporary normal, and I hope you are, too.
Have you found time to write? Are you working on anything that could use some feedback? A first page, maybe?
(contest closed!)
If you’re working on a first page (in any genre except erotica) and would like some objective feedback, please leave a comment. Any comment :). As long as the email address associated with your WordPress account/comment profile is up-to-date, I’ll be able to contact you if your first page is chosen. Just please know that if I’m unable to get in touch with you through that address, you’ll have to forfeit your win.
Two caveats:
▪ Please be sure your first page is ready to go so I can critique it before next month’s contest rolls around. If it needs some work and you won’t be able to get it to me right away, let me ask that you plan on entering the next contest, once any necessary tweaking has been taken care of.
▪ I’d like to be able to use portions of winning submissions as illustrations in an upcoming presentation on first pages. By entering the Critiques 4 U contest, you’ll be granting permission for me to use small writing samples only (no author names or book titles).
Three commenters’ names will be randomly drawn and posted tomorrow morning. If you win, you can email me your first page and I’ll offer my feedback.
We run this contest on a monthly basis, so if you’d like to be notified when the next opportunity comes around, consider subscribing to our blog (see the left-hand sidebar).
Best of luck!
Before You Go….
Angela has a webinar coming up on May 4th that you might be interested in.
Hidden Emotion & Subtext:
Making Dialogue Crackle with What Isn’t Said
Characters aren’t always forthright; what they say and what they feel can be very different. This can be challenging when it comes to conveying hidden emotions to readers, so Angela will explore ways to show (not tell) what’s happening under the surface when your characters are trying to hide what they feel and think.
If you need help showing character emotion & subtext, this $10 webinar may just be your best friend. And don’t worry, if you sign up but can’t make it live, a recording will be sent to you.
Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and its sequels. Her books are available in five languages, are sourced by US universities, and are used by novelists, screenwriters, editors, and psychologists around the world. She is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge with others through her Writers Helping Writers blog and via One Stop For Writers—a powerhouse online library created to help writers elevate their storytelling.
Alrighty, everyone! The random generator has spoken, and the winners for this round are Helia Rethman, Susan Policoff, and Erin McKnight.
Stay safe and sane everyone! I’ll see you next month :).
Yes, please! I’d adore some feedback.
Thanks for this awesome opportunity. I’d love your thoughts on my first page!
That is amazing! I would love to get some feedback. Thank you so much.
Thank you for the opportunity.
I’d love your feedback! ♡
I’d love to have someone look at my first page!
I’m in the process of revising my book. A first page critique would be a wonderful help. Thanks for making this possible.
Thank you for continuing to provide great resources for writers, especially during these times! I would love a critique on my first page!
Hey, thanks for the offer.
I am an empty nester, so no kids running around. That doesn’t mean free time to write, though I wish it did.
I am currently writing urban fantasy with a female protagonist. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Yep. I’m excited for the real summer to start!
Thank you for doing this and I would love to participate with a first page.
Thanks so much for this offer and would love to participate.
Glad to see so many people writing through the quarantine and hope you all remain well.
What fun! I’m new to the Writers Helping Writers site and am learning a lot. Would very much appreciate a critique of my first page. I’m not even sure what genre my story is (but it’s definitely not erotica).
Welcome, Monika! Let us know if you have any questions about the blog :).
This is sweet of you! I’d love a critique on my revised first page.
Thank you so much for caring. Yes, I have been coping. I think reading and writing has kept me from going nuts the last few weeks. I’m looking forward to going back to work, but I’m going to miss my extra riding time. Hope all is well and stays well with you and your family.CSA
I’ve been doing a lot of reading, too. Thank goodness for virtual libraries :).
This is sweet if you. I’d love a critique on my revised first page.
Awesome offer to critique first pages! Yes, please. 🙂
What a great offer, and timely! I started shoveling crusty old snow off my garden and planted seeds in pots in anticipation of life finding its way. Stay safe everyone! And keep writing!
Jealous! I can’t grow anything. I’ve tried in various places I’ve lived, and I just can’t make it work. I hope you have better luck :).
Beginning…the hardest part! I’ve rewritten my first page at least fifteen times but I think it’s ready for a critique and would love the feedback. Thanks for offering the giveaway.
I agree! Beginning is definitely the hardest part.
Thanks for offering this help. These will be three lucky writers.
Thank you for offering this giveaway. I’d love to have a 1st page critique.
I would love to participate. My 1st page is ready!
Even though this quarantine has made me (and I’m sure everyone else) stir crazy, I’ve been working on a new manuscript and would appreciate feedback on my first page. Thank you so much for offering a critique.
Thank you for continuing to do these!
Stay safe and sane.
I’m glad things are working out for you. I hope you don’t go too bonkers by August. I would love a critique of my first page.
Going bonkers is a real possibility…
Almost 2 months of strict lockdown in Spain. It’s been tough but necessary. I even managed to start a new book in my Amamda Travels series. A critique would be welcome.
So glad to hear you are coping with the quarantine. Life has also settled into a routine in my house, although my 18-year old is missing prom and who knows about graduation.
I do need a first-page critique. I think it’s changed more times than I would like. Thank you for continuing to do these contests. It gives life a sense of normalcy.
Glad to hear you are coping. After 6 weeks staying home my family is, too, though the five year old misses his friends. Nice to see the critiques continue.