The Curse of Page 30 (and Why It’s Not Your Fault)

Confession: I’ve ghosted my own drafts at page 30 more times than I can count. It’s the Bermuda Triangle of writing. You’ve got momentum, you’re excited, and then—bam—everything sinks.

Here’s why: the first 10 pages set the tone, the pacing, and the stakes. If they wobble, everything after feels shaky. And you know what your brain does when it senses wobble? It checks out. That’s when you find yourself “researching” candle scents or reorganizing your spice rack instead of writing. (No shade, just saying.)

Why Page 30 Falls Apart

When the opening doesn’t do its job, the rest of the draft feels like it’s built on sand. You can’t brute-force your way past it because the foundation isn’t strong enough.

It’s not that you’re a bad writer. It’s that your book is trying to run a marathon with untied shoes.

Three Questions to Fix Your First 10

✨ If you’re stalling, don’t patch the middle. Go back to page one and ask yourself:

• Did I establish the world?

• Did I put tension on the page?

• Did I give readers a reason to care?

If the answer to any of these is no, the stall isn’t your fault! It just means your beginning needs tightening.

How I Can Help

I built my First 10 Pages Review for exactly this reason. I’ll dig into your opening, tell you what’s working, what’s confusing, and where the energy drops—so you stop spiraling and start drafting again.

👉 Book your First 10 Pages Review here ($225)

Stop letting page 30 win. You’re a better writer than that, and your story deserves a fair shot at the finish line.

xo,
Jessica