Right I would like some help and ideas about how to start my story. What would be the best way to start off? Ideas and help really would be appreciated. Skralo!
well, I'd say either take LSD for a month and then start writing or else start some serious research into physics and history. Look for exceptional weirdness, in either case. good luck with it.
Maybe you should get right into the action- I'm assuming there's a political conflict going on in your fantasy/sci-fi story. If it's from your main character's point of view, get right inside his head so that the reader will start to care. Or you could start in the heat of a battle between two opposing sides.
i suggest that instead of asking folks here to do your work for you, you read/study the best stuff out there in that genre that is most similar to what you have in mind... you'll find there are nearly as many ways to 'start off' as there are books... no one can tell you which would be best for yours, but you... your story should tell you how it wants to be opened... when you're ready, just sit yourself down and start writing... see what comes out...
Mammamaia mirrors my thoughts exactly. We can't write your book for you--for one thing, we're not really sure what it's apart. I'd suggest you try writing the first scene that comes to you, and fill in any blank spots later.
Start dead in the middle. With that amazing scene which first captured your mind and made you want to write the story in the first place, then build the story around it.
There are many ways and places to start a novel...but one way to avoid is to begin explaining the setting, history, situation, background. It'll turn off a reader--editor, agent, etc.--really fast. With no frame of reference, no character to anchor the conflict or history to, no context, in almost every instance, it will be boring and a turn-off. I said in 'almost every instance', because I am sure there are instances someone could cite where, for example, an author used a play on words, or somehow drew the in reader through an otherwise dry historical prologue...or they're a well-read author, and can expect/anticipate patience from their audience. Otherwise, has others have stated above...you'll have to do the research, idea gathering and formation, and writing. No one else can. Terry
Since it's a speculative novel (Sci-fi/fantasy), I'd suggest beginning with something out of the ordinary. If you want, begin with a description of something completely apart from your main character--a story I recently started begins with the point of view of a rat. Now, it has to make sense, of course, and apply to the story in some odd fashion, but it can be as out there as you want. And with your time/dimension travel theme, you can pull off almost anything. But remember, the important thing is to just start. Do whatever helps get you motivated. You can think of a Great Opening Scene later. That's what rewrites are for.
Cool, Thanks guys, for all the advice. I am doing resarch about weaponary, but as for physics I'm a bit iffy there. It will all work out in the end. I hope... Once again thanks to everyone who replied and helped out. Skralo
