How does one start a novel? This is the question asked by most newbies, and myself especially. It’s easy to decide what you want to write about, and how the plot will progress. It’s even easy to write the ending – you know that character x will die, with lots of tears spread by all and a great big funeral to wrap it up with. The question is, how did we get to that point? Where did it start, and how do we grab the reader so that they are interested enough to stay with the story. And it doesn’t have to end with Character X dying. It could end with her getting married. Its up to you – but the point is, how do we get to that spot, and how do we start the story off in such a way that readers are grabbed and want to finish the story.
Its the opening lines – they are the most important part. People have to choose where to start. Some authors use the ending as the begining. Example a) Character X was shot at noon today. The shooting is the start, and then the author goes back to explain how and why the shooting took place. Sounds like a CSI story right? Gotta have something to start with in order to catch attention and keep it going. Example B) Getting married and living happily ever after… A little harder to start up. Did they have an affair? Was it love at first sight? What will grab a reader and make them stick with the story?
Different writers open up a novel with different methods. I have included links to various websites that discusse the importants of opening up a story – and each writer likes to use their own theory to start the story. I included the links because they were intresting to me, and the techniques seemed to work. I find that it is up to each author to find their own groove, and to see if these openings will work for them.
Writing World.com Will Greenway- Dynamic Beginings.
Writing World.com Lital Talmore- Where to Begin?
Orson Scott Card on Beginnings
These three examples should help writers discover their own beginnings and what works best for them. Happy writing, and may your beginings grab your readers in new and exciting ways!
