Beginnings

[Optional Toaster]

Hi everyone! I write novels but I really struggle when I'm trying to open up the story. I can never seem to find a beginning that I really like. I would really appreciate it if you could give me some feedback about what you think a good beginning should be like. For example: action, describing something, or whatever. Thanks!

[Bowie20049]

What I've seen some writers do is that they set the world a little. For example, they focus on the sky. The color of the sky can set the mood right there. The 'camera' moves down and finally focuses on the character(s). You see what I mean?

[Majyk]

And I've heard that starting out in "camera mode" is not the way to go. Starting with description is what some people do, yes, but one of the reasons I've heard/read that it isn't good to do that is it leaves the reader wondering what your POV choice is.

[Bowie20049]

The fiction professor guy is extremely biased against 1st person genre fiction. He really likes 3rd limited person. So...>.>

[lango]

I usually start with action. I describe a small action sequence, and then I unfocus a bit and describe the character and the scenario. My actual problems with beginnings isn't if I should detail the sky or the scenario or the character or the action, it's WHERE my story should begin.

[Bowie20049]

I usually start with action. I describe a small action sequence, and then I unfocus a bit and describe the character and the scenario. My actual problems with beginnings isn't if I should detail the sky or the scenario or the character or the action, it's WHERE my story should begin.

Hear hear

[Iridescence]

I, too, have problems with my beginnings. It really depends on the type of story you're writing. For example, the first sentence of my fantasy novel I have posted here is: "I know I'm in trouble when they clamp the chains around my ankles." Not the best opener, but it's sufficient to invite some curiosity on the part of the reader, which is the main goal of most beginnings.

In most fiction novels, starting out only with description, as Majyk said above, is not such a good idea, in my opinion. However, if you weave the description in among action, it could work. Find the most interesting thing about the plot of your novel and find some way to introduce it in the first paragraphs of your story without giving everything away.

Action sequences aren't always the best to start out with, necessarily -- perhaps just before or just after the action sequence takes place. If you start out just before an action scene, then the tension is palpable, and tension makes a really good story starter. However, if you start just after an action scene, then things are calming down, and your character(s) is left to survey the damage or effects left behind by whatever happened. If you don't want to start with action, then there are other devices you could use, like dialogue (perhaps starting your story with an argument or a hushed exchange or whatever) or an observation by a character (depending on the POV you use) or a humorous anecdote. There are really a lot of possibilities, and my advice to you is to read the beginnings of some of your favorite novels and take inspiration from them.

[thecollector]

There's a saying that is true to form here. "Don't trudge where you don't belong." If your story is a thriller that will have action in it or anything with action throughout it, use action as an opener. Remember that the first line is the most important of all the lines within the pages. I find that you can intrigue someone with a single word. For instance:

Blood. An eerie scene that met my eyes, and all I could think about was all the blood. There was so much of it. Like a child trying to be strong when facing an enraged parent, I gulped and tried not to cry, seeing the lifeless corpses lying on the earthy brown carpet.

Notice how the first word can sort of intrigue you? That's what I'm talking about. If the story is about the life of a boy, you're not going to open the prologue with a gun fight unless his family is VERY mess up. Haha.

I recommend trying to use one word sentences to open the story. The more you practice it, the better you get at it. However, I'd definitely open with action if it's an action story.

[Abominable Toaster]

I think a good way to initiate a chapter or novel is to begin with emotion. In my experience, which is not much, to begin with the thoughts and feelings of the characters to which you refer is a solid base. I mean "thoughts and feelings" as how your character feels about his/her life or surroundings, which you can also carry into who they are, what their life has been like, the description of their surroundings, or even the person's personality, all depending on their attitude. If they think of the room they are in, for example, as "silent as the grave" as opposed to "peacefully quite", you automatically have the feeling of a dismal environment. It really depends on your plot, tense, and even the development of your story. I may not have helped in ANY way, but I am just sharing my opinion! HOPE I HELPED!

[Optional Toaster]

Thank you all so much for giving me so much helpful information! This is really going to help me! I appreciate all the feedback!

[Confused Shaman]

Since the beginning has to catch the readers attention, I'd say start with what you think you're good at when it comes to writing. Good at action? Write a scene that features two knights sparring with each other. Good with dialogue? Write a scene between two bickering characters.

[Rose]

Since the beginning has to catch the readers attention, I'd say start with what you think you're good at when it comes to writing. Good at action? Write a scene that features two knights sparring with each other. Good with dialogue? Write a scene between two bickering characters.
That's a good advice actually...:)Thank you,this might really help me and many other people like me...;)

[trinity]

I think It's best to start with description, you could help the reader imagine the scenery of the story so that he feels he's there, and keeps reading on. Hope this helped :P

[Rose]

As for me, I prefer the comic beginnigs or description of a certain scene,character's action,like describing a certain action the ,main character is doing(eating, walking, drinking,throwing up...Any thing).Some times, stories might start with the final event tht happened in the story...Then the rest would be like telling what events occured that lead to this ending(I don't blame any one for not getting it...Hehe-kidding-)
Well that kind of huffle puff... :cool: