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Paula looks at different ways of starting a novel.
I’m in the final stages of editing my novel Irish
Deceptions, and have already started thinking about my next novel, so I thought
I’d pass on some tips I’ve read here and there about different ways to start a
novel in order to capture the reader’s attention and interest.
Start with a question – that can only be answered by reading
on.
Start by appealing to the reader’s curiosity, something that
makes them ask who, what, why, etc.
Start with an image that focuses on one of the five senses.
Start with something unusual (like the clock striking
thirteen in Orwell’s ‘1984’?)
Start with an action, preferably something out-of-the ordinary rather than a mundane action.
Can you think of any
more ‘start’ ideas?
Congratulations on editing!
ReplyDeleteHow many words did you cut?
I start thinking about a story by thinking of a theme or event--something that happened in the news or is a subject that interests me. Then I focus on developing characters who could "act" out the theme or subject. Protagonist, love interest and antagonist. Using those building blocks, I play around with story lines that create a story arc for the main character. She starts here, wants to go that way, but ends up way over there.
Cut about 9K!
DeleteMust admit I start with the characters and a vague idea (often very vague!)
I usually find dialogue, like your question, is a great hook to keep me reading further. A description can turn me off.
ReplyDeleteI quite like starting with dialogue, too.
DeleteI agree that too much description on the first page can put readers off.
Dialogue, or a bit of a mystery at the beginning has me reading further on.
ReplyDeleteMystery is good as it makes readers want to know more :-)
DeleteLots of my books start with dialogue. It's a good way to put the reader right into the action from the get-go.
ReplyDeleteI like dialogue too, especially when it pulls the reader right into the story.
DeleteI like your entire list, but I would add starting in the middle of something--a conversation, an activity, etc, so the reader wants to keep going to see what happens next as well as find out how they got into the situation in the first place.
ReplyDeleteYes, starting in the middle of something is an excellent addition to my original list :-)
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