In the Beginning: Grab Your Reader - podcast

How do you engage a reader, whether an agent, editor, or average customer in a bookstore? Literary manager, Eddie Gamarra, talks about how to capture a reader’s attention right away, including how to start a scene and draw the reader into the story. He suggests that you start with a compelling bit of action—start in the middle of a scene. Don’t spend a lot of time introducing the situation or characters. When you start in the middle of dialogue or action, the reader is suddenly immersed in your story and they're compelled to read more to find out what's happening. Start with some visceral, physical, visual moment that’s going to bring your reader into the story.