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  1. Morningriser

    Morningriser Member

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    Novel Is This Too Long For An Opener?

    Discussion in 'Genre Discussions' started by Morningriser, Jan 20, 2020.

    I am working on a rough draft for an adult fiction novel I'm hoping to get 100k words out of. This book will be the opener to a psychological horror vampire series. I'm hoping to get get at least 3 books out of. The first three chapters are 15k words and 66 pages on Word. I already know I need to edit out some wordiness, but let me explain the importance to the overall story.

    The story begins with the protagonist arriving at an Ayahuasca retreat in California after he has more or less been ran through the ringer for 38 years. His family gave up on him, his former friends all crossed him and the love of his life drove him to attempt suicide. He came to take the psychedelic substance and shed his pain, grief and all else from his ego.

    The reasoning behind the length is because of all the damage. I actually based my protagonist's entire backstory on my own, since it literally could work for this character. I experienced the retreat exactly the way I wrote about it, experiencing things on and off the medicine that were so complicated, yet so much fun to write about.

    The point I am trying to make with all the detailing of the ceremonies, being careful not to info dump, is still, even in it's bulk, interesting enough to keep the reader entertained.

    So, with all of that said, even if it works, and keeping in mind I will cut out wordiness and clean it up, no matter the situation, is that too long or am I good?

    Thanks!
     
  2. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    On the surface all that sounds fine, but only if it's actually pertinent to the story. Not to your own life, which it obviously was, but to your story. But don't worry too much about it at this stage. Stories do evolve, and it's good to give yourself lots to work with.

    I'd say write it the way you want to, and see how it comes out. You can always change it after you've finished the story, if it doesn't fit.

    If I had a nickel for every bit of my novel I wrote in detail and then cut out later—because it didn't 'fit'—I'd be a lot richer than I am! :) Only one way to do this, and that's do it. Yeah, you'll make mistakes, but up to the day you get published, you can correct them. Nothing set in stone till you publish. So feel free to write any way you want. Even if you don't end up keeping the whole thing, you'll probably produce a few gems that you will need to keep.
     
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  3. Morningriser

    Morningriser Member

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    I guess what I was trying to say is, the three chapters might not neccesarily be an opener, but they set the rest of story in motion, giving the reader a look into his psyche. After the retreat her returns home and intergrates back into life while starting back to college and meeting the female catalyst in Chapter Six.

    I know it might be a bit of a slow build-up, but I think it works. I guess I'd just like some feedback from people who probably have more experience with what publishers want.
     
  4. marshipan

    marshipan Contributor Contributor

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    Only you know how it's working out so far. If you want to try something else you could start the story when he's starting college, after the retreat, and then do a series of flashbacks and reveals throughout the story, letting the readers fully get to know your character over the entire book. I've read a few books recently that used this tactic. Particularly about girls who suffered abusive relationships. The story starts after that, typically after a move/starting college. Right off the bat we are told what happened but the details are offered like breadcrumbs throughout the book.
     
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  5. Xoic

    Xoic Prognosticator of Arcana Ridiculosum Contributor Blogerator

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    I literally saw this as Chapter Sex. :supercheeky:
     
  6. Morningriser

    Morningriser Member

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    I personally think it fits well. Actually, after I posted this, I realized I ended chapter one at the start of the first ceremony so I guess I still got my first chapter intro leading on.

    I don't know why, but it just felt weird at first. Meh, maybe I'm just doubting myself.

    Ayahuasca is good for people with trauma they cannot get rid of, so anyone carrying that kind of baggage will benefit from it if they are willing to open up to it, which is a whole other story in itself.

    I use plant meds for my own healing. My story is basically about my protagonist moving on his own to Las Vegas from his dead town in Virginia, wanting life to happen and it's through the experiences at the retreat that manifest into his life exactly what he wants, an adventure and it is a vampire who delivers.

    Chapter Sex is actually the title of my librarians after hours erotica series.. :D
     
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  7. jannert

    jannert Retired Mod Supporter Contributor

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    I think I'd operate on the notion that anything 'can' work, when it comes to creative writing. Whether it will work depends on how it turns out, after you've written it. If it's something you really want to write, do it. Don't waste time trying to second-guess whether you 'should' or not. That comes later.
     
  8. More

    More Active Member

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    It is a common post on this site , someone looking for reviews on work in progress . I understand the reason, but it is difficult for anybody to give the reassurance the posters are looking for. You might need the assistance of a writing partner , who is willing to read and discuss your work . Or just press on regardless and wait until you have finished the first draft . To give a not very useful answer. Kurt Vonnegut advises to start your story as close to the ending as possible. The other thing I would say is , when you show holiday snaps to someone , the photographer will always find them more interesting than the viewer .
     
  9. TheOtherPromise

    TheOtherPromise Senior Member

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    A lot of advice I see in terms of starting your book is to start at the beginning of the story. I've seen advice that the inciting incident should be within the first 30 to 50 pages of the book (depending on how long the book is). Given simplistic estimations, your first three chapters would hit about 50 or more pages in length. So if your inciting incident happens in these chapters then it would be fine. If not you run the risk of boring, or confusing, your readers.

    I say confusing, because if you have an exciting event occur within that frame it will likely be assumed to be the inciting incident and thus set the tone for the rest of the story. If it turns out that the event did not lead to the book's conflict the reader might wonder about what happened to that plot line.

    Now this is just guidelines and doesn't apply to all books, just something to keep in mind. Also since this is your first draft, you don't need to worry about whether or not to rewrite it at this point. Wait until your first draft is done and then you can decide whether it should start this way or if it would be better if you changed some things.
     
  10. Some Guy

    Some Guy Manguage Langler Supporter Contributor

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    I'm really interested in firsthand ceremony experiences, especially in an alternate community environment. PM me if you want to discuss.
    Sorry for the off-topic. Carry on.
    OT - write it all.
     
  11. Mckk

    Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

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    Look at it this way. From the perspective of someone who: 1. does not know you, 2. does not know your life, 3. is not interested in your life, 4. may or may not be interested in your story, 5. knows nothing about the story and thus nothing about how important all of this apparently is to the story - will such a person be interested? You might have found being on and off meds fun to write about and the experience entertaining - does that mean everyone else is going to?

    Just bear in mind, most agents ask for a sample of the first 50 pages or first 3 chapters, whichever is shorter. If those first three chapters is all there is to the story, will it be enough to make an agent want more? There's no time to wait to show people the interesting parts or how the story starts or the potential of XYZ. There are at best, 3 chapters. At worst, maybe one paragraph, let alone chapter. Some agents want only the first 10 pages.

    The inciting incident should, preferably, happen somewhere within those first 3 chapters.
     

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