Writing beginings

[The Seb]

people say that i can write very good stories with complex storylines, its just my begginings that are having trouble. I tend to put to much storyline and background in at the start and action or suspense in the middle/end. Please give me some tips to improve.

 

[mochagirl]

One tip is to always make your beginning interesting, something that draws the reader into the story. If the beginning is boring, but the middle and ending are good, you don't want them to lose interest before they reach the "good parts." *shrugs*

 

[The Seb]

yeah i knew that i just wanted to know some good tips

 

[keeptrying]

I would suggest just giving enough info on characters and situations to draw the reader in leaving them wanting to know more. Don't develop the people too soon in the beginning, just enough to draw the reader in.

 

[The Seb]

thanks, i'll try that now

 

[icy_crusader]

You should start with some kind of action that can explain your backgrounds. If the story has something to do with a fight or other action that happened a long time ago, begin the story witht the action of that event and explain what you want to.

 

[Ameriskool]

Something eye catching, or even strange, the bizarre holds attention more than the normal.

Ex
Once upon time a fairy princess granted the wish of....
vs
Biting her lip, the fairy hoped she wasn't mistaken. With a wave of her hand...

Do you see at all what I'm trying to say?

Also, starting with an anology foreshadowing later events is an awesome beginning:
Yelling vainly the man loses his strength, lost at sea, he slowly realizes one overhwelming truth: he is doomed.

 

[Lessien]

Starting off with dialogue almost always works. Like...

Jenny wondered where Alex could possibly be.

OR

"Where on earth is Alex?" Jenny said, pacing the floor. She'd wear a hole in it if she kept this up.....

 

[oncewaslost]

from the amount of books i've read, i would say that jumping right in the middle of an action would be a good starting point. like, you can start in the middle of an argument/fight, accident, emotional tormoil, etc. be descriptive.

 

[shakingthedustoffmyfeet]

from the amount of books i've read, i would say that jumping right in the middle of an action would be a good starting point. like, you can start in the middle of an argument/fight, accident, emotional tormoil, etc. be descriptive.

oncewaslost has a good point about starting in the middle of the action. Sometimes you can start at where the action is winding down, giving just enough details to make reader curious about the conflict. Just be sure that it has intrigue.

If I start a book, and it has sentences that meander or needless details (like what the person is eating for breakfast) then I tend to put it down right away. Keep your beginning concise so readers stay with the book. Stay blessed!

 

[oncewaslost]

i guess i should've said "be descriptive but not overly descriptive."

 

[kristina7]

people say that i can write very good stories with complex storylines, its just my begginings that are having trouble. I tend to put to much storyline and background in at the start and action or suspense in the middle/end. Please give me some tips to improve.

I have that problem too...not just with stories, but with speeches too. It's tough for me to write beginings b/c it's like you're supposed to make it the most interesting thing ever, and then writing endings is hard b/c you have no idea what to say. In my case that's how it is anyway.

 

[lsholes]

Start as close to the story as you can. Don't start with backstory, that can be fed into the story small chunks at a time. Start with something that reveals your character--something happens in a character's life --some kind of change, so he sets a goal. The rest of the story is attaining that goal. The beginning should show your character in character--being brave--being good--being bold--being honest--caring about others, etc. If you start with action, let what he does in the action define him/her. If there is anyone in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area, I'll be doing a 5 session workshop for Florida Center for the Book starting in Oct. One of the evenings is spent on beginnings. Hope this helps. Best of luck.
Lynn Sholes also writing as Lynn Armistead McKee
www.lynnsholes.com
www.grailconspiracy.com

 

[Humbledmac]

Starting with dialouge always worked for me. and maybe try a little first person style.

 

[mikeski52]

people say that i can write very good stories with complex storylines, its just my begginings that are having trouble. I tend to put to much storyline and background in at the start and action or suspense in the middle/end. Please give me some tips to improve.

It's usually more interesting to have more action/suspense in the beginning and end and more storyline/background in the middle. The action will draw the person into the story, and then a big piece of the storyline that you would normally put in the beginning can be added to the middle instead.

 

[ALIgator]

people say that i can write very good stories with complex storylines, its just my begginings that are having trouble. I tend to put to much storyline and background in at the start and action or suspense in the middle/end. Please give me some tips to improve.

I have the same problem! It's hard to start with action because you feel like the reader needs to know more about the characters before they'll understand what's going on. I recommend just trying as many different ideas as possible. Brainstorm every way possible that you could begin your story, and try it each one of those ways, even if you don't think it could ever in a million years work, ya never know! Usually I try several different things before I find one that really works, you just have to be willing to try something a little different from your usual style. Good Luck!

 

[oncewaslost]

when introducing characters, the reader doesn't need to know everything that's happened before the start of the story. the reader is supposed to gradually get to know the characters so show instead of tell. i hate to say that because it's so hard explaining the difference between showing and telling. the backstory should come gradually and naturally throughout the plot you're working on and could come out in dialogue, action, or thought. you don't have to say exactly what happened and in what sequence.

hope that's at least a tiny bit helpful.

 

[artybloke]

people say that i can write very good stories with complex storylines, its just my begginings that are having trouble. I tend to put to much storyline and background in at the start and action or suspense in the middle/end. Please give me some tips to improve.

A pair of scissors comes in handy. Cut off your beginnings: you often don't need them.