The Page 69 Test

A question for you, Dear Reader: How do you choose a book? What hooks your interest? The cover? The blurb on the back? The first page? The title or author's name?

Let me tell you, writers and publishers know very well that you're looking in these particular places to determine your level of interest. They will put their best foot -- or cover, or title, or blurb -- forward to snag your attention. The old adage is really true: "You can't judge a book by its cover, or title, or blurb." (Okay, maybe I tampered with the old adage a little, but I only made it more relevant. So ha.) 

The website Campaign for the American Reader posits that you should put your prospective read to the "Page 69 Test." Flip to page 69 to see if the narrative grabs you. If so, it's probably worth your time. 

When applied to my writing and editing process, it brings up an interesting question: Does my manuscript's page 69 pass the interest-grabbing test? Here it is; I'll let you decide. 

*  *  *

As she waited in the common room of the inn, Lyanne’s attention wandered to the windows. The dogs still bayed in the courtyard outside, their howling almost a frenzy. She moved closer to the glass and saw two tracking hounds tied to the gate. In a flash that froze her insides, Lyanne realized she knew those dogs: they belonged to her father. Whoever he sent to fetch her home had finally found her. When she fled, she hadn’t considered the dogs; of course he would pursue her like any other creature that eluded him.

Slipping to the side of the window, her headache forgotten, Lyanne searched for any sign of the hunters. Her shock turned to blind panic as her brothers Natan and Marke emerged from the stables, leading Arga by her halter.

Lyanne stumbled back from the window, almost overturning a table. The innkeeper was at her elbow. “Your private lunch is prepared, miss.”

“I-I’ve forgotten something upstairs,” Lyanne stuttered. “I’ll be back in a moment.” He bobbed his head as she backed away. Her heart was going to break free of her chest. She fled up the stairs, locking herself in her room and sliding a chair under the doorknob for good measure. Her head pounded in time to her frantic breathing.

If I’m going to get out of here, I have to stay calm. This is no worse than facing the Magistrate last night. She schooled herself to take even breaths and pressed her ear to the door, but the hallway outside was silent.

Only one bag. The window is small, and I’ll have to abandon Arga. My saddlebags are useless. 

She flung herself at the wardrobes, throwing everything of value into her haversack. The appointment papers went into a pocket concealed in her skirts, alongside her pistols.

The drop out the window gave her pause. Fortunately the room looked onto the alley and not the courtyard, but the fall was more than twice her own height. Snow misted the street, hardly disguising the glittering ice underneath. Throwing caution aside, she shoved the haversack out first. The leather bag hit the cobblestones with a thunk but did not break open. Lyanne hooked her ammunition pouch around her neck before scooting onto the windowsill and turning around, lowering herself so she hung by her fingers.

It doesn’t matter if I break an ankle or leg. Nothing could be worse than going home. I know how to fall from a horse; this isn’t so different.  

She took a deep breath and let go.

*   *   *

Honestly, I think my manuscript rocks the "Page 69 Test." But would it rock the "Page 92 Test," the "Page 341 Test," or the "Page 183 Test"? It isn't essential (or even possible) to infuse every single page of my novel with heart-stopping action and cliffhangers, but each page should certainly reflect the personality of my characters and the general tone and voice of my writing.

Inspired by the original blog post, an entirely new community has come into being: The Page 69 Test (aptly named, isn't it?). Authors showcase page 69 of  their published novel, giving insight as to the context and purpose of the excerpt. It makes for some interesting reading!