Have just discovered an interesting site called page99test.com which describes itself as:
The ONLY place where published & unpublished writers can share their page 99s with a world of readers – and where those readers let the writer know if, based on that one page, they’d want to turn the page… or buy the book. Did it hook them? Did it grab them? Find out fast.
Thought I'd check out the Twilight books page 99s to see how they measure up - here's a taster:
TWILIGHT
"dense green forests edging the road most of the way and the wide Quillayute River snaking beneath it twice. I was glad I had the windo seat. We'd rolled the windows down - the Suburban was a bit claustrobic with nine people in it - and I tried to absorb as much sunlight as possible."
(and then more talk about scenery...yawn!)
NEW MOON
"I turned away from her, back to the men who were watching us with amusied, curious eyes. "Bella, stop this right now!" My muscles locked into place, froze me where I stood. Because it wasn't Jessica's voice that rebuked me now. It was a furious voice, a familar voice, a beautiful voice - soft like velvet even though it was irate."
(slight danger, hearing voices, much more gripping)
ECLIPSE
"Jacob flinched back and bit his lip. I could see that my words hurt him, but I was too mad to feel about that yet. He dropped my wrist and folded his arms across his chest, turning from me to glare toward the ocean."
(more dialogue, more supernatural talk)
BREAKING DAWN
"be any feathers, at least. But as I moved, an off wave of vertigo hit. I swayed and fell back against the pillows. "Whoa....head rush" His arms were around me then "You slept for a long time. Twelve hours" "Twelve?" How Strange.
(post sexy times)
What do you think, would you have given these a chance based on these pages?
Do you do the page 99 test for other fiction? What are you reading now.... go check out page 99 and tell us if it measures up?