When dealing with large casts of characters—or even just scenes that require the rapid-fire introduction of more than two or three characters—readers sometimes find themselves in grave danger of “character overload.” The common wisdom is that there’s no such thing as too many good characters. But, in fact, too many characters can become way too […]
September 28, 2011 by 49 Comments Beginning Your BookShould You Put Dream Sequences in Your Story?
It’s generally accepted that agents and editors dislike seeing dream sequences in your story. This is because a story opening that features a dream is a story opening that almost always fails to present a strong hook, character, setting, conflict, or frame. Although there are certainly exceptions to this rule, your wisest move is generally […]
September 18, 2011 by 42 Comments Beginning Your Book5 Elements of a Riveting Opening Line
The opening line of your book is your first (and possibly last) opportunity to grab your reader’s attention and give them a reason to read your story. That’s a gargantuan job for a single sentence. But if we break down excellent opening lines, we discover a number of interesting things. One of the most surprising […]
August 31, 2011 by 17 Comments Beginning Your BookWhy the Human Element Is All-Important to the Beginning of Your Story
The beginning of your story is a checklist of must-have elements. One of those elements is providing readers with an immediate personal connection to the characters. In some stories, this can be difficult, since complicated plots and settings often demand the author lay down a foundation before exploring the human side of the characters. But […]
July 3, 2011 by 47 Comments Beginning Your BookMost Common Writing Mistakes: Opening Lines That Lie to Readers
Your opening line may be bristling with energy, danger, and barbed fishhooks designed to reel in readers, but if the paragraph that follows pulls the old switcheroo, readers are more likely to be irritated than impressed. Let’s take a look at an example of a lying opening line: Jeanette rounded the bend in the mountain […]
May 4, 2011 by 26 Comments Beginning Your BookWhy Opening With a Characteristic Moment Is So Important
One of your first scene’s most important jobs is introducing the main character as someone readers will find worth their time. This is best accomplished by opening with the protagonist in a “characteristic moment.” The characteristic moment will either put leading characters in a situation that shows them performing an action that will figure prominently […]
April 27, 2011 by 44 Comments Beginning Your BookUse a Question to Create an Unforgettable Opening Chapter
Creating an opening chapter that hooks readers into your story is the trick you have to master in every one of your stories. But once you know the secret of a good opening chapter, it’s not so tricky. The single most important element in convincing a reader to continue reading past your first page is […]
April 6, 2011 by 48 Comments Beginning Your BookDo You Need a Prologue? One Way to Tell
Do you need a prologue? This question confronts authors in every story they write. Unfortunately, in large part because authors don’t always understand the true function of prologues (and epilogues), the answer often results in unnecessary padding. So can how can you tell when you need a prologue in your story? And when don’t you need […]
February 15, 2011 by 8 Comments Beginning Your BookThe 3 Integral Components of a Story’s Beginning
Today, I’m honored to be hosted by Larry Brooks on his fabulous site Storyfix. Be sure to stop by his site to read my guest post “The 3 Integral Components of a Story’s Beginning.” Below is a sneak peek: Beginnings are tough for a number of reasons, not least among them the fact that we’re wading blind into […]
October 27, 2010 by 16 Comments Beginning Your BookThe Best Way to Make Use of Your Story’s Normal World
Writers can’t afford to waste readers’ time or test their patience by meandering about in their opening scenes. At first glance, this would seem to mean you have to get right to the point of the story. You might feel compelled to open your story right at the moment when your character’s world is changed […]
