Must We Start Where The Action Is

By
We have all heard it said repeatedly start where the action is, but then how many novels do you pick up or movies do you watch that don't necessarily follow that advice?  They start off with a relaying of back story, or slower-paced narrative where the author is trying to pull us into the character's life.  What they are trying to do is make you connect so that when something does happen you're involved, you care.  Does this work?  In my opinion, sometimes they succeed, and sometimes they don't.

We know that writing is a subjective business - some will love our work while others will hate it.  I believe the start of our work falls under the same category - subjective.  But, it's up to us the writer to make it something that will draw in the reader and keep them turning the pages whether this be a complicated character, or an intense gun fight.

So what is the difference between a successful "slow" start, and an unsuccessful one?  Conflict.  Without that we risk having a flat narrative with nothing to yank the reader into the world we've created.  A conflict needs to be resolved, or handled.  We want to know how the character is going to overcome a situation, or deal with it.

So, what about you?  How do you normally begin your novels?  Do you follow the advice of starting where the action is or do you start slower while riddling in enough conflict to draw in your reader?

Comments

  1. Jenna CooperJuly 2, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    I usually start with the slower, but showing conflict group. I think the tension is enough to bring readers forward in the book, while also giving them a way to start knowing and caring (or hating) characters.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 2, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Every time I try to begin my novel with a character profile, to as you say, make the main character likable, it doesn't work and I have to rejigger. Like you, I write thrillers, so I figure it's one of the requirements for the thriller genre not required of literary fic.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tara TylerJuly 2, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    in my 11yo son's words, "i hate starting a new book, it's all here's this guy who is like this and bla bla bla, i'm skipping the first few pages"
    i try to use an incident or small event or bit of excitement to "hook" a reader cause i like to read that too =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. RadhikaJuly 2, 2011 at 8:47 PM

    I try to begin with a pre-Conflict event that leads the character to the conflict. The conflict that occurs isn't the main conflict of the story, but it will later introduce it to my main problem. If that made any sense at all, that's just me and my writing style.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Laura JosephsenJuly 3, 2011 at 12:09 AM

    The majority of my stories start slower before getting into the action stuff. That whole balance of introducing characters and world while keeping enough there to make people want to read on is, as you said, very important.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carolyn ArnoldJuly 3, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    Thank you to all for your comments. It's reassuring to know you don't have to jump in right in the middle of something all the time. The "rules" can weigh us down sometimes and not let the story flow the way they should.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Heather M. GardnerJuly 3, 2011 at 9:37 AM

    It's like you were in my head with this post. My first finished book I started out with just a few chapters trying to set the scene and was told that it was too slow. Not enough going on to capture the reader. In my current writing project I started out with all action and was told that it was too abrupt. There was no lead up to the action.
    Can't win.
    Found you through Tara. Best of luck with everything.
    HMG

    ReplyDelete
  8. Carolyn ArnoldJuly 3, 2011 at 9:50 AM

    Welcome to my blog Heather :) It definitely is hard finding that balance. Best of luck to you as well. :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to make a comment.

Popular posts from this blog

When Family Doesn't Support Your Writing

By
If you can empathize with the title of this post, then you're not alone.  So many writers, myself included, can honestly say they have family members who don't support their writing.  Some may go so far as to tell you they don't even want to hear about what you're working on, what you've done, what your goals are.  That hurts. But think about it this way, in some ways is writing any different that an other life decisions your family may not agree with?  I'm sure, if you're like me, you get very defensive when it comes to your writing.  In fact, I'm not going to deny that it places an iron wedge in the relationships.  After all, if your focus in life is your writing, and they ask so what have you been up to ...what are you supposed to do lie, remain quiet, answer another way even though you're so excited about your current WIP you'd tell a stranger?  Ticking clocks are heard in the background while you decide.
Read more

A Big Decision...

By
Image
For those of you who know me, and follow me on Twitter, you may be aware that I’ve been debating whether to pursue publishing traditionally, or take the plunge and self-publish.  With all the “buzz” on the internet, and after great consideration, I have decided to go ahead and self-publish. I had asked myself, does this mean I’m giving up ?  And, the answer is irrevocably no.  Self-publishing used to carry a type of stigma that somehow labelled the work as adhering to a lower standard, but things have changed.  Authors are taking pride in their work like never before, and just because of the increasing ease to self-publishing, they’re not allowing this to affect the quality. In making my decision, I also considered the fact that just because a book is published traditionally it doesn’t mean that it will meet with success.  Many self-published books have received awards, honourable mentions, and have met with even more-than-modest sales.  In fact, there’s no real limitations on the su
Read more

A Promotional Tool that Makes Sense

By
Image
USB Memory Direct USBs make an excellent promotional tool. I was approached by a company called USB Memory Direct to sample their product and write a review. Lucky for me, they got my name from my partnership with Sisters in Crime. They were offering me a couple dozen customized USB drives--and all I had to do in exchange was write an honest review. Well, here it is. The drives are of excellent quality. They came in and were a lot bigger than I thought they'd be from the pictures online. (That was a bonus!) I've used them personally, but I haven't handed any out yet. When I do, I believe they'll make a statement. And who wouldn't love the fact that they are shaped like a book?! Let's face it: us authors are always looking for promotional items to give to our lovely readers, something just a little extra to stick in with that signed book in the mail. I'd say these USB drives would make an excellent option. Not only are they unique--and customized f
Read more