Hello and welcome to the very first round of the Critique Hub BookClub. What can be a better way to start a project that the first day of a new year?

Let's begin this one with equal positivity and high spirits.

• This BookClub is specifically designed to foster the needs of completed stories. Once a writer marks their story complete, the next stages appear much daunting than imaginable. Proceeding towards second draft, looking for feedbacks on opening, execution, pacing, so on takes the front seat. That's exactly why this club has been established ––to help writers tighten up their completed stories, and make it publish worthy by the end.

• We will be focusing on specific aspects of a story in each round. For instance, Round 1 can be all about Visuals, Description, and opening. Here, the members will focus on these elements and leave their helpful feedbacks for their partner to ponder over. Similarly, the second round can be about Character introduction and plotline.

• Comment guidelines: 5+ inline comments on each of the chapters that you read, additional to one overall comment at the end of the chapter. Remember comments ought to be such that you'd yourself expect to receive –helpful, detailed.

🌿 General Lesson related to the round ~

>> What can make your opening chapter a not-so-attractive one?

1. Starting Too Slow
Opening with pages of backstory, heavy exposition, or an overly descriptive setting might feel necessary, but it often overwhelms readers. They want action, intrigue, or an emotional connection—not a history lesson (exceptions apply!). Instead, weave key details into the action. For example, show your character's world through their actions or choices rather than dumping a long explanation upfront.

2. Generic Characters
Readers don’t fall in love with bland or overly familiar characters. If your protagonist lacks personality, motivation, or depth in the first chapter, readers might move on. Solution? Focus on showing what makes your character unique right away. Quirks, motivation, personal traits.

3. Overcomplicating the Plot
Throwing readers into a whirlwind of subplots, side characters, or a too-complex world can leave them confused. Readers need time to get their bearings in your story. Instead, start with a clear focus. Introduce one or two key elements of your plot and expand from there as the story progresses.

4. Skipping Emotional Hooks
Readers connect with emotions before anything else. If your opening fails to evoke curiosity, tension, or empathy, they’re less likely to keep reading. Ask yourself: What does my character want or fear in this moment? Use this to create an emotional hook that will resonate with your audience.

5. Clichéd Openings
Waking up from a dream, starting with the weather, or an overly dramatic prologue can feel tired unless you put a fresh spin on them. Instead, begin with something unique about your character’s current situation—an unexpected choice, a moment of internal conflict, or an intriguing interaction.

Focusing aspects: 1. Description ; 2. Opening

🎊 Pairing:

• ashestarling96 : Eyes of Azyron
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• CANGEL1915 : The Taste of Death
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• HuntedAcolyte : Stranded in a Magical World with my Lightsaber

🌿 A pairing of three members has been created for this round only, since we are focusing on opening elements. Instead of reading three chapters, the members are required to focus on 1st impression (Visuals, hook point of description), and opening chapter. Feedback on both aspects are to be left in opening chapter. Only one chapter (1st, not prologue) is to be read and reviewed.

🌿 Feel free to use this space as discussion point. Support and help each other to grow more.

🌿 Use this space for queries --->>

🎊📍 Drop your confirmation comment after successful completion of the assignment here -->>

Happy reading!