2006-12-01 18:23:23 · 10 answers · asked by karun 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Begin with something intriguing about an important character, setting or plot point.
The first lines of "The Death of Vishnu" by Manil Suri are
"Not wanting to arouse Vishnu in case he hadn't died yet, Mrs. Asrani tiptoed down to the third step above the landing on which he lived, teakettle in hand. Vishnu lay sprawled on the stone, his figure aligned with the curve of the stairs...."
He's showing you a picture of his character rather than just flat out saying "Vishnu is this guy who lives on the steps, and he's sick."
What a great way to get people intrigued with your story!!
2006-12-01 18:56:53 · answer #1 · answered by Globetrotter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start at the part of the story with the most action, preferably closer to the ending of the story. You want the first page to draw the reader in, and a good way to do that is with action that gives very little explanation, so that the reader has to keep reading to figure out what is going on. Like if you were writing a mystery, start at the point where the detective is about to discover the killer. Make it so that the reader has to guess who the detective is, who the killer is and why he's hunting the killer. Then after that, stop and flash back and tell the story from the beginning. Gradually work your way back to the point where it begins on the first page.
You don't have to write the story like it's a straight line from beginning to end -- you can put the beginning of the story in the middle and put the middle of the story at the beginning. Or you could start the story from the ending and work your way backwards to the beginning.
You basically want the reader to ask lots of questions, so that they'll read the story to try and answer them. Hope that helps...
2006-12-01 19:06:16 · answer #2 · answered by Dr. Rock 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start with the character's feelings. Sorrow, Anger, anything really. Have the character explain why he/she is like that.
Make it appealing to your targeted audience. Humor would help children like it, while it wouldn't to others.
Illustrate the surroundings. The Details, what the characters felt when they were looking at it, their true feelings about it.
Retell a past experience. Show something that happened in the protoganists/antagonists lives in the past that made them become like this in the present story. Dreams too.
Tell a story. The story like how this world was created, etc. Helps the reader gain a more detailed look into the world the author has created.
Understand the need for censorship. If your story is for kids, you shouldn't make clear the details of a massacre. Leave it blank, obscure.
Learn about the readers. Am I sure that my readers would like this? Look at your book through the eyes of your audience.
2006-12-01 21:50:40 · answer #3 · answered by Jan C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just start writing. The actual meat of the plot is what you want to get out first--the beginning with a grabber and set up can be written later.
2006-12-01 18:51:13 · answer #4 · answered by doubledoubleplain 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start the story off with a question.......no wait that's for an essay.....um it depends of what your writing about....
2006-12-01 18:32:35 · answer #5 · answered by odd_person 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
describe the environment of the initial scene
2006-12-01 18:49:57 · answer #6 · answered by lead cat 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i thought i had left it behind me? now i was going to have to face it.
2006-12-01 18:35:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This one time at band camp....
2006-12-01 18:30:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't start it like a fairytale book.........start it like
*far away
or if ur character
*jane was siitin
2006-12-01 20:04:28 · answer #9 · answered by nickless 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"Once apon a time"
"long ago"
"there once was"
"my name is"
2006-12-01 18:26:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋