Writing...how to begin the first few pages of a book.?

Question

After not writing for a long time...I am again. I am trying to work on a new short story or possibly develop it into a novel. I have a lot of ideas but my problem is exactly how to begin. Is it better to begin with dialogue and jump right into it or give some sort of background information? If I go with the latter I am not sure how to transition. Any information on how to go about with the first few pages would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Start with brainstorming in a marble notebook. From there, choose an idea and start fleshing out the characters. Then work on a good, solid outline with subplots and backstories. Then you are ready for doing research. Once all that is done, you are ready to write.

I would recommend a novel to you. The Novelist by Angela Hunt. In it, a famous author is teaching a Creative Writing Class in a local college. During the semester, she actually writes a book for the class as she goes through all her steps. Not only is it a pretty good novel, it is also a good teaching guide for a potential novelist. Check it out.

You also might want to read The First Five Pages. That book is one of the standard Writers' Bibles.

Good luck. Pax - C

Answer 2

Go with what feels natural to you.

I used 2 fight scenes to begin the opening chapter to The Starchild and Starchild Duel.

The first Stories of the Dead Earth novel began with a chapter of backstory briefly explaining what happened with Earth in the distant future.

The Vampiress Hunter and Zombie Nation: Outbreak Zero did as well. (Both written in first-person POV like Stories of the Dead Earth.)

The Price of Freedom began with the introduction of the main heroine in the dead of winter. (circa 2165.)

I don't start with dialogue unless it's absolutely necessary. But the majority of the times, I am setting up the world in which my story will take place in.

Dialogue comes afterwards.

Answer 3

Brainstorm ideas -what do you want your book to be about? - write an outline - work on the areas you are comfortable with - you might sit there forever trying to begin the first chapter - since you're on ya hoo, I'll assume you're writing on a computer - all you have to do is cut and paste those ideas in the right order - remember, you're creating - if you have an idea - write it down while it's fresh, you might forget it

happy writing

Answer 4

If your talking about one person mainly, I would say start from bringing their personality out! If your going with a few or more people, then I would start from where they are working or going to school and to describe their settings! Good Luck with your writing!

PS- If you don't know how to start your novel, try writing the rest of it first, and then the beginning, that ussually helps out quite a bit!

Answer 5

Your best bet is to organize it first. Do an outlive that identifies what it is you want to have in each section. Start with the dedication then the preface. then the chapters and the prologue.

Once that's in place start with one area and work it till you get it right. make sure it follows a sequence and transitions properly betwen chapters. Good luck

Answer 6

Start at the inciting incident.

Starting a story with the inciting incident: How to start writing a story - the essential beginning of any story

http://www.storyentertainment.com/article.asp?id=2406

Answer 7

I always like to begin in medias res, to get the reader right into the action, and fill in background details later. I find it's easier to hook the audience that way.

Answer 8

start with an outline