I write a lot, and I have this wonderful idea for a novel based on my own personal experiances. I've been writing down bits and pieces, but I've been neglecting to write the beginning. I have NO clue how to start it! How do you authors do it?
2007-12-01 08:23:27 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
You'll need a good "Hook" to entice the reader to continue.
It can be an incident from the past, and continue the story from there, without revealing what was behind it, or the cause of the incident, until later. This could even be the climax of the story. How it all came about and what caused it.
It could start where you are now, but that could have come from something in the past, which you could make light reference to. Enough to hook the reader to continue so as to learn what was behind it all.
Does this make any sense?
'as I drive along the sunkissed shores of the ocean, I remember something that my mother said to me, just before she took her last breath.
now I know why I am here.
I can't explain why it took so many years for me to come to this place.............................................................."etc, etc
"It was only yesterday that I decided to do this, against all objections of my family and friends..................."
NOW you're into the present , but you've piqued a curiosity to learn what your mother had said to you, and why you are here, as well as what were the objections of family etc
Hope this helps.
2007-12-01 08:42:48 · answer #1 · answered by ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I write alot too, and i know sometimes it can be frustrating to get a good idea rolling.
I've recently taken too writing down on the first page everything that i want to happen condensed down into a few sentences.
Instead of trying to get a full blown novel i always think of it being a fairly short novelette. From re-reading the bits you've written you'll get to know your character better and sort of know what their life would've been like before the main event starts.
Or, you could always have them move somewhere new, thats always a good opening :)
Good luck with your writing.
2007-12-01 16:43:37 · answer #2 · answered by Belle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The beginning should start at what I refer to as Ground Zero. The simple life. Life how it is on an ordinary normal day. Then along comes conflict into your life and you take off trying to resolve that conflict. The climax is the point when you resolve your issue, and then your declining actions take you back to what I call Ground Zero Plus - your life back to normal only somewhat different. You are a little older and wiser. Try mapping your story out on an arc like a rainbow - starting with Ground Zero on the bottom left and the climax at the very top, Ground Zero Plus goes on the bottom right. Then fill in between.
----
They're, Their, There - Three Different Words.
Careful or you may wind up in my next novel.
Pax - C
2007-12-01 16:30:27 · answer #3 · answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Annie sighed. She was so frustrated! No matter how hard she thought she just couldn't come up with a single beginning to her grand novel. Her magnum opus - the new Gone with the Wind which would sweep the world! She rolled around on her little blue bed and tried to imagine how Arabella, her lustrous heroine, would feel as she was held tightly (but with respect) by Ashmore Bullivant, the gallant soldier and youngest colonel ever commissioned from Fort Braggadocio.
2007-12-01 16:40:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Write this problem that you have!! It IS a personal experience and it is a great way to start a story! Many people can relate to it( I know I can)!
2007-12-01 16:52:05 · answer #5 · answered by :) Miss Hockey Lover :) 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Listen to Persiphone_Hellecat 's advice. She answered my question, but it was alot of critical stuff.
2007-12-01 19:44:42 · answer #6 · answered by iSтαℓк 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey, go to my blog and I have a few stories there and read my stories maybe they will help you there.
2007-12-01 16:36:38 · answer #7 · answered by Joanne C. L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋