This is a recent post I did for the Fangs, Fur & Fey community blog where I answered a Topic of the Week question: How do you find the beginning of your novels? How do you know where to start them?
I admit it, I was a back story queen when I first started writing. But I think that had more to do with the fact I was 1) a total seat-of-the-pants writer and 2) I didn’t plan my characters. They evolved as I wrote the story. So my first two or three chapters were really me creating long, drawn out…very involved character sheets. Heh.
Then a writer friend passed along a concept that has stayed with me…
Start your story where your character’s conflict and your plot’s conflict collide.
I’ve never forgotten it. Did it change how I started my books? Sure it did. But what I also discovered was that my progress slowed a bit in the beginning, because (apparently) I ‘needed’ those first two chapters to get to know my characters inside and out. That was ‘my’ muse’s process.
Now, instead of chopping three chapters in the beginning, I’ll have to go back and add some in the beginning. I now also write up a detailed outline as a way to ‘get to know’ my characters, so that I’ll know what I need to go back and add to flesh them out more for clarification.
But keeping that rule of thumb in mind has been immensely helpful to me. It forces me to stay focused and reminds me that all that ‘stuff’ I’m itching to show about my character right up front can come later, sprinkled in bit by bit.
The nice thing about following the concept of starting where the character’s conflict and the plot’s conflict collide is that you have so many options for a gripping opening scene…from an action scene to a dialogue scene…to even strong narrative. I just ask my character(s): What kind of scenario can I put you in that represents the crux of YOUR issue and the story’s main plot?
Hey Patrice, I really, really like that advice.
) but I do need to have the storyline in my head. I’m waaaay too impatient to write it all down, but it’s all in there *knockingonmyhead* and I always stick to it. There are some points where I know the story has to go, however, I let the characters and situations themselves move from one point to the other. That has worked rather well so far.:yes:
I’m an aspiring author and actually a “pantser” (like author Maya Rodale once called seat-of-the-pants writers such as herself
The opening scene, IMO, is one of the most important parts of a book. If you read the first paragraph and already think “Bah.” then you’re less likely to enjoy the whole book. So thanks again for that interesting advice!
You’re welcome, Lisa! I’m glad you found it helpful. I wish I’d learned this myself years ago.