Comments on: Let’s Start at the Very Beginning

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:42:58 +0000

Could you have written the right opening paragraph without having first written the preceding 98 pages? The backstory might be unnecessary for the reader, but was it necessary for you, the writer?

By: Catherine Lee

Catherine Lee — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:46:44 +0000

I really needed to read this! I just started my first novel and in all honesty, I have been patting myself on the back for completing the first chapter. That was until I lost my junk drive. Yes, I lost the only copy of my first chapter of my first novel. But I have to admit, it was a bad first chapter. It didn’t do anything or go anywhere – basic expositional fluff.

I’ve decided to let it stay lost. :) I know exactly where I want the story to go and it excites me every time I think about it, but the starting point has been challenging. I need to bottle up that energy and pour it onto the pages of my opening. Thanks again for the good advice.
Catherine Lee´s last blog ..One Inch Tall

By: Allison Winn Scotch

Allison Winn Scotch — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:15:43 +0000

Michaele – sorry to get back to you so late! For some reason, my email notification didn’t go off for comments, so I didn’t realize there were all these comments here! To answer your question, if you can believe it, other than a few graphs here and there, they were almost all axed. (Gulp.) They were backstory that I just didn’t need, and other than those few paragraphs in which all of that backstory was consolidated, the rest was all fluff. That’s an entire different post, I think, but equally as important: cut the backstory and throw the readers into the action – they’re smarter than you give them credit for and can pick up on the clues of what has already happened!

By: Marisa Birns

Marisa Birns — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:32:51 +0000

Very good post. I am the type of book buyer who reads the book jacket, but then reads the first page to see if it’s what I want to take home.

Those first sentences always reel me in!

They’re important to me in my writing as well. I hope that I get it right.
Marisa Birns´s last blog ..Mojo Mama

By: June

June — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 03:39:20 +0000

Beginning pages/paragraphs must be the order of the day. Over the last several days, I’ve been deconstructing my entire first chapter, trying out different ways to capture just the right nuance of what I’m trying to say. I guess your post is an omen that I’m on the right track!
June´s last blog ..Backspace Agent-Author Conference

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:10:12 +0000

Thanks for the insight. It kind of reinforces that whole idea that writing is revising (and revising and revising). The hard part for me, a beginning writer, is knowing when to stop.
Jonathan´s last blog ..Writer Identity, Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Process

By: Michaele Stoughton

Michaele Stoughton — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:33:41 +0000

More great advice! You are one of my fav’s to follow. I’m curious about the 99 pages, were they trashed altogether, or reworked into the story?

By: Kat

Kat — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:55:27 +0000

This is so true! I admit I can be quite fickle when picking out a book. I’ll usually read the book jacket (even though I often find that to be marketing spin, not what the book is really about) and I’ll take in what the cover tells me, but if I start the first paragraph and I’m not immediately interested in the tone and the starting point, there’s not much reason to carry on.
Of the short stories I’ve written, some I knew exactly where to start, but sometimes I’ve had to get there circuitously.

By: Debra Schubert

Debra Schubert — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:36:36 +0000

As always, brilliant well-written advice. Thank you so much, Allison, for reiterating this important point. I’m editing my YA novel right now, and am happy with the beginning. I hope others will be, too. ;-)
Debra Schubert´s last blog ..When You’re NOT in the Driver’s Seat or as Tom Petty Says, "The Waiting is the Hardest Part"

By: Melanie

Melanie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:10:14 +0000

I don’t think I spent enough time with the opening of my first novel, so I’m trying hard to not make that same mistake with #2.
Melanie´s last blog ..Flash Fiction Thursday

By: Kristan

Kristan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:31:25 +0000

Well as you know, I’m one of the people who loved your opening, Allison! I can’t wait to read more.
Kristan´s last blog ..Say no to life, yes to crap! … Wait, what??

By: Amy Chase

Amy Chase — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:09:25 +0000

This is exactly the problem I am having with my current project. I have made myself crazy trying to fix the beginning of the story. I really like most of it, but trying to find the perfect hook almost drove me to abandon it all together.

It is nice to see that a published author is going through the same experience.

Thanks for sharing!
Amy Chase´s last blog ..Test Group

By: Lydia Sharp

Lydia Sharp — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:06:41 +0000

I’m so glad I’m not the only one with first-paragraph-itis. Definitely in my top three “most frustrating issues” with my writing.

Ninety-nine pages? Wow. I give you credit for not burning the whole thing after hearing that. Not that I would EVER suggest anyone burning their work, but Lord knows I’ve wanted to do just that far too many times.

Great post, Allison!

By: thea

thea — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:43:37 +0000

good advice – sometimes that’s so hard to see!