Early on in the writing process for The Ravenstones I came across an invaluable website and blog for writers, called Writer Unboxed (WU).
The site, hosting contributions from a host of authors, editors, literary agents and industry experts is “dedicated to publishing empowering, positive, and provocative ideas about the craft and business of fiction.”
I have read the posts regularly since I began the book series back in 2006. Some posts are humorous; some are educational; some thought-provoking; some deal with the challenges of everyday life that would apply to anyone coping with life in the 21st century. Almost all deal with the art of writing.
I have several favorites amongst the legion of WU contributors, too many to list here. But, for me, one in particular stands out: the American literary agent, Donald Maass.
Maass is the author of several books on writing, most notably The Emotional Craft of Fiction.
Writer’s Digest Books, 2016 (available on Amazon)
Let me quote from the book’s blurb:
“While writers might disagree over showing versus telling or plotting versus pantsing, none would argue this: If you want to write strong fiction, you must make your readers feel. The reader’s experience must be an emotional journey of its own, one as involving as your characters’ struggles, discoveries, and triumphs are for you.”
Back 0n April 3, 2024, Mr. Maass wrote a post for WU entitled “Page 98”. Even the title is intriguing, and I made a point of saving the lengthy post for when I had the chance to give it a real read.
His message is straightforward. Yes, we all look closely at the first page – or, better yet, the first sentence – for an effective opening that hooks the reader like the proverbial fish on the line.
But, Maass goes on to say, when we are “deep into your novel, is page 98 still bringing us stuff which engages, intrigues, informs, sways, and suggests to us that there is more to come? Is there still a strong feeling of character, sensibility, and promise? Do we find ourselves in a particular mood or frame of mind?
“Or to put it simply, is page 98 as good as page 1?”
In essence, every page is a test, and every page needs to deliver something to the reader.
Maass then goes on to examine three random selections from the fiction shelves of a “humble” local library – one of which, Alan Furst’s A Hero of France, I’d actually read – to see how the books stack up. (See the WU site for the results.)
With that in mind, I went back to evaluate two of the seven volumes in The Ravenstones series. Did I manage to hit the mark?
In Book 1, Eirwen and Fridis, by p. 98 (start of chapter 14) our heroes have crossed over into a new, mysterious world.
Their initial enthusiasm has now given way to doubt. Here’s how the page begins:
By the time Eirwen and Fridis woke up, they found the weather dramatically changed. The skies had darkened and the wind had picked up, beginning to swirl about in every direction. Rain had started to fall on and off.
Although night seemed to be fast approaching, the two companions were equally sure they’d not slept that long. The darkness felt oppressive and ominous.
“Let’s get moving,” Eirwen said, quietly but firmly.
Fridis needed no further urging. The duck was anxious to put this resting place far behind them. Despite the abundance of food, she felt exposed to danger. Fridis jumped up, shook her head, flapped her wings and flew off without a word, even before Eirwen had readied himself to leave.
“Hold on, Fridis,” the bear called up to her. “We haven’t even talked about which way to go.”
The duck ignored the bear and kept right on flying, following the course of the river. Eirwen climbed up to the top of the bank and hurried along after her in a vain attempt to catch up.
“So why this direction?” the bear asked when Fridis finally consented to return to earth and accompany him.
So, lots of atmosphere. A sense of danger and anticipation. Something’s going to happen, definitely ominous, but what? Maass asks in his analysis, could page 98 even stand as a page 1? I’d say, yes it could.
Now let’s look at Book 5, Death and Life.
Page 98 is the second page in on chapter 10. Our heroes are demoralized after a terrible defeat; Olwen’s most stalwart friends have been killed in battle, or so everyone thinks:
“What?” Olwen’s heart skipped a beat. “Is it possible?”
“Life is full of surprises, Majesty. After all, no one actually saw them die. The fighting was intense at the end and we were on the run. So it is still possible.” He hesitated briefly and added, “Nevertheless, I’m holding my excitement in check. I would not wish to be saddened twice over the same death. We’ll see soon enough what this messenger’s real purpose is.”
Olwen’s golden eyes flashed. Olujami saw a myriad of emotions play through them in an instant: hope, anger, sorrow, fear, curiosity and suspicion. Moments before, he had experienced the same complex reaction to the fox’s assertion.
“Who is this messenger?”
“I know him not, but the creature claims to know you.”
“His name?”
“Vulpé.”
“Vulpé?” Olwen mused for a few seconds. “No,” she concluded, “I don’t recognize the name.” Her previous anguish doubled, the lioness growled. The others in the room, surprised, looked over anxiously.
“Clearly a heartless, bold-faced liar,” Olwen declared. “Send the villain packing! Better yet, throw him in — Wait! Hold on, Olujami. Is he a red fox?”
“Yes, Majesty.”
“With a persuasive tongue?”
“He must be to have made it this far.”
“Could it be? I did meet such a character. A long time ago, in the eastern reaches of the Kingdom, before I became Queen.”
“The fox maintains he comes from that part of Aeronbed.”
“How did you come to be called upon?”
“Mere coincidence, Majesty. I was passing through the main gates, returning from a patrol in the countryside, and overheard the garrison guards talking about the fox. The conversation had become quite heated and I could hear every word. One of the guards called me over and said the message concerned me — actually, both of us. So I volunteered to bring the message to you.”
“What do you think, cousin? Could it really be true?”
Several mysteries and a great deal of emotion here. Who is the stranger? Is he telling the truth? If so, what are the implications? What happens next has enormous consequences for several characters, including the stranger. Yes, this page, too, could start the book and is certainly enough to keep the reader engaged.
In the event, if you haven’t already read them, I hope I’ve now inspired you to purchase the books. Both are, of course, available on the Amazon KDP website.
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