How to Get Your Novel Off to a Running Start

If you have ever attempted to write a novel, you like me, have grappled with the best way to start. The beginning is the most important part of the book. Here are some tips to get your story off to a running start.

You want to catch the interest of your reader in your story's opening. You can do this by presenting characters that your particular audience is interested in. Also make sure they are doing something that is of interest.

Readers are preconditioned to assume that the first character to be introduced is the main character so make sure that your main character is shown here and readers see the story through his viewpoint.

Readers want to know the setting: the time, place and social atmosphere in the beginning. They need to know if you are dealing with the present, or some other period of time, or fantasy or whatever other setting you have chosen to write your book in. So show it to them.

You want to introduce the problem or situation that brings on the problem in the beginning also to peak your reader's interest.

Set the mood of the story right at the beginning. Let your reader know what kind of emotional tone your story will have to get them interested. Don't just state the mood but show it by dialogue or a description of the setting. Is it suspenseful or romantic or sad?

Suggest the complication in the story by hinting at things to come. This would not be about the main problem but could be about some difficulties the hero has or a flaw in his character that causes a problem.

Hint at the solution. You want to start preparing your reader for the final solution even in the beginning of the story so when it does happen it sounds convincing. You can do this by using either one of two literary devices: plants or pointers.

When you as an author plant something you let the reader know about conditions that exist or about certain skills the main character has that are important to the solution. To point if to foreshadow a certain event might or could happen.

There are different ways to write your story's beginning. I have found the best way is to show my main character in an interesting setting, doing something that grasps my readers' attention, and talking with another story character.

Make sure you mix thought, action and dialogue and always use them to move the story forward.

There is a best place to start your story. It's where the flow of events leads directly into the action your main character must take in order to get what he wants. A sense of change works well, like taking a journey.

Finally, when you're writing the different story parts you are always conscious of the story as a whole. Your story takes off when your hero or heroine no longer puts up with the problem but decides to take action to change the situation. As you work at this you come to the middle of your story.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Ruth Willms writes Christian fiction and devotionals for kids aged 8 to 12. You are invited to get your copy of her free report, How to Introduce Your Kids to Jesus - Their Forever Friend. You can learn more about Ruth at her website, www.RuthWillms.com

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