Greetings, Ink Jars, welcome back to our class. Today we will be discussing something I briefly mentioned in the "Writing Hooks" chapter a few back: HOW TO START A BOOK. Quite a huge topic! Here's how we'll start:
1.) So you've got your idea and you finally want to get it down on paper.
2.) Briefly plot it out (beginning, turning point--in the middle or toward end, and climax/end) WARNING: Don't get too specific in all your plot points! You can do that later. If you plot TOO much (like professor Lewis here) you will stump your creative juices, writing will be a chore, you will produce lousy work, and you'll...GIVE UP!!!)
3.) Get out your ink jar and start penning it down!!!
So those are pretty obvious, but now let's get into the nitty gritty stuff. The stuff that will actually help you!
You generally want your first chapter to start out with action, but this is not required!!! Some people believe that in order to start a good book, you have to write the main character dodging fire bombs in the first sentence! This, however, is NOT true! Think about it, how do the Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins begin? How do the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling start? How does the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien start?
The first sentence needs to be a hook. Technically, your whole first chapter HAS to be a hook! If people read the first chapter of your book, they're likely to continue. This means that the first chapter has to be INTERESTING. Notice I did not say "action-packed-war scene." While there is nothing wrong with that and maybe that is how your novel starts, it is not and will never be forced.
BE ORIGONAL!!! Don't start your book like every other book in the WORLD! There are lots of teen fictions which start with the MC (Main Character) moving to a new town and then going to a new school. These can be outstanding books, but many people initiate their books like that and readers will not see it as different and memorable.
SUGGESTION: Writing your first chapter can be hard! You're probably going to edit and re-write it about EIGHTEEN THOUSAND TIMES! I know I have!!! Sometimes, you can get bogged down in crawling past the non-action (or beginning journey) and never reach the fun parts! So, skip the first chapter. When the book is over or when you feel like you've got a good idea and you're ready, write it! I've done this and it has assisted me majorly.
SET THE SCENE! Make sure your first chapter hints to the flow or future of this book!
FORESHADOWING!!! Within this chapter, you can begin hinting to events, betrayals, conflicts, issues, etc. later in the book! That is usually something you add later (unless you have considered certain ones before) which is why writing the first chapter later is good!
WARNING: Don't cram too much information into your reader's eyes!!! Fantasy people, this is for you! I tend to want to provide the history of my mythological countries and the line of kings and details and names and dates, in the first chapter. This is not suggested. You may overwhelm the reader. If something is important to know early on and necessary, SHARE it!!! OR (and this is good to do anyway) keep a list in the back of the book for your reader to refer to with all the important things to remember.
This has been another lesson with Professor Lewis. I'll be interested to hear your responses and your tips on starting a book. Comment below for your advice or on a subject you wish I'd write on.
Your faithful writer, Lewis
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