1. Euphoria

    Euphoria New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
    Messages:
    12
    Likes Received:
    0

    Movement

    Discussion in 'Plot Development' started by Euphoria, Apr 8, 2009.

    At the moment I'm trying to establish how I'm going to go about writing my novel. My question is whether it is good to introduce events right off the bat, or should I develop it a bit, allow the readers to get to know the main characters, before setting them off.
     
  2. lipton_lover

    lipton_lover New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2008
    Messages:
    228
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    I've always liked the idea of incorporating character descriptions as the story progresses, and in a natural not-obvious way. I suppose it depends on how soon the reader needs the information, however.
    Nate
     
  3. OneMoreNameless

    OneMoreNameless New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2009
    Messages:
    229
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Bravely adventuring beyond the fourth wall.
    Normally I'd say start the novel off with events, because that's more likely to catch the reader's attention than slowly introducing the main cast and going nowhere for twenty pages, but if you have particularly interesting characters (or the story is particularly focused on them rather than any particularly dramatic external events) then you would introduce them first.

    As lipton_lover says, if you can do both at once that's probably optimal.
     
  4. Rei

    Rei Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2008
    Messages:
    7,864
    Likes Received:
    32
    Location:
    Kingston
    We can get to know them along the way, through the events of the story by how they respond to them. Besides, what's the point of a first chapter if all it does is tell us who the character is, but has nothing to do with the rest of the story, otherwise?
     
  5. keeklies

    keeklies New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2009
    Messages:
    20
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, Canada
    You should start with a gripping crisis and then let the other events unfold naturally. Don't dump too much information at the beginning.
     
  6. bfaye

    bfaye New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2009
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Pittsburgh
    I agree, you want it to be catching but at the same time you dont want people putting down the book because they dont know who's who! Maybe incorporate a little snapshot of who the character is as the event is unfolding.
     
  7. Moira

    Moira New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2008
    Messages:
    80
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    The Lonestar State
    Lol, don't mean to sound redundent, but I agree. In my book the MC's love interest gets introduced within the first five pages, and they're together by the tenth. Twilight's on again off again drove me crazy, so I did the opposite. :eek:)
     
  8. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    One good approach is to begin the story with a character facing a problem or challenge. It need not necessarily be the main character, but it should probably be a mahor character in the story. This helps develop the character, and also starts the story with a degree of tension to hold tre reader's interest.

    Also, you want to start a story raising questions in the reader's mind, not answers he or she has no need for yet. Unanswered questions keep the reader interested, invested in the story to read more.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice