Join us for a writing workshop with NJ author, L.G. O'Connor.  

Compelling First Pages: Hooking the Reader and an Agent in the first 200 Words

Description:

Whether you're looking for representation for your novel or you want to capture a reader and create an unputdownable experience, it starts with the first page. This means hooking the reader within the first 200 words. Questions to ask:

1) Does the story start in the right place?

2) Is there a strong narrative voice?

3) Are story questions introduced?

4) Is there a strong setting to orient the reader?

5) Is there anything throwing you out of the story?

6) Would you turn the page?

We will examine examples of first pages from published novels and interactively determine whether we would turn the page and why. You should walk away feeling confident about what it takes to create a compelling opening for your current or next work-in-progress. Any participant interested in submitting the first page (250 words) or their work-in-progress should send it to Janette - pardoj@waynepubliclibrary by January 16, 2026 for it to be reviewed during the workshop. Please make sure to give permission (in writing) to L.G. O'Connor to use it during the session.   

L.G. O’Connor spends her free time spinning fantasy, contemporary, and mystery stories that touch the heart with themes of family, redemption, forgiveness, and above all, hope. An avid reader, she loves books with memorable characters that make her heart sing and leave her with a book hangover long after the story ends. L.G. is the author of the multi-award-winning romantic women’s fiction trilogy: Caught Up in Raine, Shelter My Heart, and Surrender My Heart, which follows a family of three women who must confront ghosts of the past to find redemption and second chances. She’s also the author of the urban fantasy / paranormal romance series, The Angelorum Twelve Chronicles.