I conclude the discussion that began in the last show, examining here, how to open a story with action and dialogue, respectively.
You will notice something unexpected about action sequences, which we discuss after I read a sample of writing. After that, I provide two dialogue sequences -- one that works as a passage unto itself but not necessarily as a story opening, and one that works as an opening.
Give a listen and gimme your thoughts!
Regards,
Tom
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8 comments:
Using "interior" things, like psycological/emotional action, to move a plot forward--especially as an opening, is a cool technique. It's not necessarily the first thing I would think of as "action" when I hear the word, but useful all the same. It seems like this technique is just the opposite of the description piece in the earlier podcast. Instead of the setting hinting at the character, in sample 1, Matthew's interior and physical reactions go a long way to portray the setting and mood of his environment...
Lol, don't mind me. I'm just pointing out the obvious again...
Indeed. Heightened Action is what one expects from an Action sequence -- and I'll deal with that in a future show. As it is written, though, the passage shows motion and advancement of plot -- but in a more sedate manner than one would think of from Action.
Why? I was trying to distinguish between static description and fluidity of motion; hence, subtle Action can be helpful. Hopefully, such an approach to an action sequence illustrates the gentler face of Action and gets to the central element of what Action is.
Heheh. You know, I think this is one of those lessons that, at least for me, is easier to understand, but harder to apply. After hearing this podcast, I became all excited (like I usually do after having an epiphany) and went off to write a bunch of stuff, incorporating this principle. While I was mildly successful, what I realized, (looking back) is that I would start off in the right direction, but halfway through I'd keep falling back onto narrative. At the time of writing, this wasn't so clear to me, I just sensed a lack of... er, "ethos-appeal", for lack of a better explanation. It wasn't something that "engaged" the reader much--something they could relate to-- it lacked that "sense of action", and I was getting frustrated, because I didn't know why. When I was going over the piece again just a few moments ago, I realized my frustrations were due to an unconscious reversion back to my old ways. I'm going to rewrite it , now that I know what's wrong. Thnx!
I'm glad you're figuring out what's been bugging you about the piece you wrote.
Let me know how things turn out.
Hi! I have debated several times and spent several hours on trying to figure out how to "open" my first chapter. I realized that I'm more open to a descriptive opener (at least for my current book). Describing the place, easing the reader into the story yet pulling them in and setting a hook into them. I'm not very good with dialogue yet so I'm not ready to open with dialogue, who knows maybe in a future book???
Jenn:)
Here's an idea.
Do what I did, at least as an experiment...
After I wrote my first chapter, I decided, hmm, if I were to write a prologue, what would it be? I then proceded to write that prologue, and am actually keeping it as my new opening.
Some say prologues are trivial and a person should get right into things. However, in my case, the prologue turned out to be very necessary, and eliminates my need to cover the material in exposition later on.
The moment I wrote the prologue -- as far as I'm concerned -- it became crucial to my book. And those I trust tell me it's a definite hook.
So if you WERE to write a prologue to your book, what would it be? You don't have to marry yourself to it -- but think about it.
Tom
I understand authors seem to write prologues a lot in their novels or book series. Can these prologues be close kin to starting your writing off with an overused dream sequence? Some authors use a prologue to glimpse into the future or give a strange hook and then start the slow interesting story of a normal person in a normal town who eventually becomes a hero. More so, what could that prologue be used for effectively to make it feel like you are not giving them a dream sequence type hook?
We shouldn't forget that a great way to learn about how to start a story is to read! It wouldn't take long to grab a few of your favorite novels or short stories off the shelf and simply study how they do it. Then, try to figure out how an accomplished and published author's technique can be applied to your own writing.
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