How are you all doing? Things are so crazy in our world; it’s easy to get so caught up in what’s happening around us that we lose our center. I’ve talked to so many people who are searching for peace—something they used to have but are missing now and desperately want to get back. If you’re struggling with this, take some time to do what brings you peace. Spend time with uplifting friends, go for a walk, pray, volunteer…whatever that looks like for you.
One of the things I do is focus on what I’m grateful for. And I’m honestly grateful for all of you. Being able to help you and offer support makes me super happy to get to work everyday. One of the things I really like doing is reading your story openings and sharing my thoughts about them. So let’s get our monthly critique contest underway :).
CRITIQUES 4 U
THIS CONTEST IS 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!
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.
Ok! The winners for this month are Kim Ellis, Jessica Costello, and Blaine. Thanks so much for entering, everyone! Winners, I’ll be in touch :).
See you all next month!
WOOT!! Thank you 🙂 Email is on its way.
Yes, please and thank you!
What a great offer. The first page of my police procedural is evolving after three beta reader gave feedback on the novel. All the best.
This is so generous of you! Thank you for the opportunity. The Emotion Thesaurus is still a treasure of mine. I would be honoured if you’d critique my first page.
I love your books and your newsletters. They are so helpful and I wouldn’t be without them. Thanks
Thank you for the wonderful opportunity!
They sure are crazy times. I focus on the things I enjoy doing, like sewing and reading (when I’m not working on any stories, that is). And I try to take happiness in the little things, like the tree in front of our house that carries leaves in two colours.
Love these critiques-4-u days 🙂
Hello Becca, these are indeed hard times. We need to find what makes us happy inside. I hope you and your family are doing well. Thank you for the opportunity to have our first page critiqued. It makes a big difference to know we can count on professionals like you and Angela who give so much to the writing community. THANKS!
I am grateful to be able to have writing workshops online. I’d live some first page feedback.
Thank you for sharing these critiques! 🙂