Maybe it’s because of the newness of this website, but I’ve been thinking a lot about beginnings recently, specifically the beginnings of books. I’ve come to the conclusion that in addition to the first page or so of a book needing to introduce the main character and the general idea and mood of the story, what really makes it work is simplicity.
If I have to read the first sentence through twice before I understand what it’s saying, that’s not a good sign. If it launches into vague description or excessive backstory, I tend to want to either skim or put the book down. It doesn’t mean that description or backstory can’t be introduced early on, but they really need to be used sparingly until the reader has been brought into the world you’re creating.
Here’s a fun thing to try: Go to a bookstore or library and pick several books at random. Read only the first pages and see which ones you want to keep reading and which ones you’re happy to put back. Try to figure out what, specifically, turns you off or makes you want to read on. I’m willing to bet some common characteristics will start to emerge.
- Categories: Craft, Writing Rants
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