'It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.' A Tale of Two Cities.
I'm sure Mr. Dickens didn't dream these words would become what they have. This begining has had a lasting impact.
I'm rewriting one of my mss and for the most part it is coming along nicely. When I wrote it I was sure the entire story rested on the backstory given where the beginning was.
Now? Well I cut the first three or four chapters and started the story with the main action. The backstory is being relayed through conversation. In this case it is more condusive to the flow of the story.
Viv brought this question up at the end of Judi's thread and I think we should explore it.
Where do you start the story? How do you know where the beginning is?
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Heck, I don't know.
I just start writing and go from there, changing things as I write. If the back story and prologue is the same thing then I did what Wendy did. I took it out and re-wrote the story in places to explain the missing links.
Giving the reader "necessary" background is not that good reason.
Jamie, I think you exactly right. I needed to write that first chapter because I had no freaking idea what I was doing, or what the story was about. It was mostly to center me and start me in the right direction. Once I ended it, I knew what all that stuff meant, and had covered parts of it elsewhere, so I knew I could cut it out. With experience, maybe I'll do better on future ones.
OK, slipping away for a bit. Back later.
"FINAL EXAM
At Penn State University , there were four sophomores taking chemistry and all of them had an 'A' so far. These four friends were so confident, that the weekend before finals, they decided to visit some friends and have a big party.
They had a great time, but after all the hearty partying, they slept all day
Sunday and didn't make it back to Penn State until early Monday morning!
Rather than taking the final then, they decided that after the final they
would explain to their professor why they missed it. They said that they
visited friends but on the way back they had had a flat tire. As a result, they missed the final. Since they were four of his better students, the professor agreed to let them make up the final the next day. The guys were excited and relieved, and they studied very hard that night for the exam.
The next day the Professor placed each of them in a separate room, and
gave them a test booklet. They quickly answered the first problem worth 5
points.
Cool, they thought! Each one in separate rooms, thinking this was going to be
easy ..... then they turned the page!
On the second page was written....
For 95 points: 'Which tire?'
Pat, yes, I'm ready for them to move on. some of them I'll miss a lot. My little Asa is one. But I might have someone for her. They like the fact she has been already crate trained--with that cast on it was the only way to go.
I've learned that sometimes stuff I've written, while important for character development, isn't always necessary for the story, per se. It was one of those stories I had to write. It all poured out, the very good, some not so good and some downright ugly, lolol! I'm reminded of something Jamie said awhile back when she went back and looked at a couple of stories she wrote and put away. She made the comment about how much she had told rather than showed, backstory, oh and some other stuff she saw. But it's true, if you put it away for awhile, you do see a whole lot of stuff you didn't see the first 5 times you went through it.
John also put it rather succinctly above. I guess it's a lot of trial and error and learning from your mistakes.
Well, I'm off for bed. I'll see y'all later.
John with this story an event changed both protags lives leading them to the life changing event I decided to start at. Me complicate things? Never.
Loved the joke John.. I think I've seen it before. Evil teacher.. stoopid students.
Good luck placing the pups Sia. The placement is why I couldn't breed.. it would drive me nutz trying to find 'proper' homes.
Toodles!
Love that tale, John. LOL! I caught a couple of my cheating students once, but not the one who really needed to be caught.
I think a good rule of thumb on exposition is to put in as little as humanly possible to begin with. For me, one of the things that makes me want to turn the page is the "why?" of the story. Who is this narrator? What are his/her issues and mysteries?
That might just be me.
I have learned a few things from my agenting experience. The thing I'm working on now starts off very crisply and quickly, for me, anyway.
We are so far away from each other, that I am waking up while you are up late. A rare moment together.
I think the key aspect of a beginning is to grab the reader. I am not fond of stories that start with long descriptions or prologues. Even worse are the db style gimmicky starts that you know are simply elaborate hooks. Speaking of Ken's "mentor", I picked up a paperback at the airport called The LAst Templar (thinking of my first encounter with Pat and the Wombats) and read the first couple chapters until I realized it was yet another ridciulous db knockoff. When can we stop with the codes already!! Left it on the plane.
Welcome to the jet lag club. I have just about given up and decided to sleep whenever it hits, and when Im up, keep writing. Plays havoc with other scheduling though.
Pat
You would love carpaccio. It is often served raw, with lemon or vinegar, but it can also be cooked, and is very good that way as well. Takes about 6 seconds on a fry pan (it is very thin).
Now I need to actually shave and choose a tie (Yikes) for this presentation today. In Italy, Professors are more like Dukes, and I have to look the part.
Where to start? With the inciting incident - the thing that starts the plot part of the story.
Sia, glad to hear you're going back to the original starting point. I think I'm going to as well with Beauty and The Best: "There's a naked man in my kitchen." But I'm working on something new right now, so I think I'll let this rest for a while.
3 DB1ers, Beth, on my thread? Gosh, I feel so special! These folks are following me around. How flattering!
Writing day today. Which means I'll probably check in more than I should. Yucky storms here last night - my DVR isn't working...sigh. Oh well, at least it won't be a distraction today.
Have a good presentation, Sy, and a good day to all!
Off to work, followed by a committee which will push my lunch hour back to around 2 pm. Jamie with fewer than 7 hours of sleep and hungry will be very bad. Very, very bad. Look out committee.
Hope everyone else has a great day.
What is it with all you night owls?? I'm never up with storms. I sleep through sirens. I think thunder and lightening mean it's time to snuggle up and sleep. Yeah, I'm weird. Hoping all of you survived the storms and sleepless nights.
Simon - if it's cooked I'll try it. And poor Simon, with a necktie for no good reason. Wishing you well on your presentation today darling. I did consider picking up The Last Templar but it got panned in the reviews. Go for The Templar Legacy by Steve Berry if you're in that kind of mood. Actually, go for anything by Steve Berry.
Hoping those awake all night finally got some rest! And wishing Judi a ver productive writing day!
Judi, I feel good about it. I'm working on something new too. at least preliminary start. I'm learning to juggle more comfortably. Turning my mind off on one, turning it on for another. I sound like a flippin' light switch, lolol!
Well, Your Grace, I'm sure your presentation will go well. Enjoy yourself as well with your colleagues.
Wendy, placement has been fine so far with my pups but, a lot of work. Which is why I'm glad not to be having any more pups for awhile. I need to get some major refurbishing done on my pens and need a break from pups.
Jamie, I can relate to that. Very bad here too when I haven't had enough sleep. I'm 7 miles from town but let me tell you, you can still hear the sirens. But if I hear the wind blowing very strong it will wake me up and I check the radio just to be safe. got a great local station--crappy music, but great with weather issues. sounds like having some snacks handy might be in order. Hope your day goes by quickly.
Gidget, who is suppose to be white is all spattered with mud and so needs a bath. I get to that as soon as I catch my breath, have some coffee, get some energy. No sense taking a shower until I get her done.
Evil sinus pressure, hit midway to dropping the darling daughter off at school. Cripes it felt like an ice pick through my left eye. Convalescing and then trying to get some more done on the story.
Lisa, not that exciting. It's not my band, but the high school band booster meeting. 3 hours of prelim budgets to approve for next year, reigning in belligerent wording on volunteer forms, and discussions of the field program and new uniforms- 2nd sample was still wrong. Contract wording for late delivery, etc. These people have poor people skills and think that bullying will make up for parents' lack of enthusiasm or comprehension of what the band boosters need.
Good luck Simon, you don't need it.
Hands Jamie big chocolate bar and backs away slowly..no homicide 'k. It wouldn't look good on your resume.
UPS guys won't come into my yard. I have to go out to the gate. Sia, I can image what he thought seeing your infants and then Magic.
Hot weather for Pat.. YEAH! Someone needs to take the Aardvark entrails away from Ken he's got that Seattle weather system hanging over my head..grrr or should I say brr?
I'm off to see the mortgage broker..wish me luck.
Keeping with the musical theme of 2 threads ago--"Let's start at the very beginning. A very good place to start." However, the very beginning's not a great place to start for most novels. That kind of beginning is often full of backstory. We need a moment of interest. Something happening that grabs attention, that introduces mystery or the question of "what" as Lisa said. I agree with Jamie, that you often don't know the best beginning until you reach the end.
I think we've all learned to just jump right in and begin. If you search for the perfect opening before you start writing anything, you would never write. Put something down, something that gets you going, and write on. Later decide if that was the true starting point.
Dale, I hope you got some kind of rest. Sy, how did the meeting go? Were you praised and admired and fawned over? They've probably taken you out to dinner and we won't see you again for hours. Could this lead to other opportunities?
Jamie, you need snacks. Wish I could send you some. And Pat, do you really eat lunch this early?
Pat, glad to have lightened your day. Sounds tedious at the office, today. Just think, in a few hours you get to go home and see how warm your pool is.
Very true Beth. Getting right into it, however that's accomplished, is the best. You can always figure out where the beginning truly is later.
Viv, I'd be glad to look at it. Just PLEASE don't tell me that these two have puppies together. It's a big no-no in breeding to breed a Fawn to anything but another Fawn. Lolol! Need I say, I'm kinda partial to stories with animals/pets entwined?
She asked us the read over the first three pages and look for the most arresting paragraph. We did.
Then she said, "That's probably where your story ought to begin and it's probably somewhere on page two." She called it for 14 of the 15 people in the room.
I'm with Beth. Just write the story. Then go back and decide where and how to start it.
You're probably going to spend 10x the time on chapter 1 that you do on chapter 2 and 10x the time on the first paragraph of chapter 1 as you do on the whole chapter.
And 10x the time on the first word of the first sentence that you do on your morning bathroom ritual. (A little morning humor. Very little.)
Of course, this being Italy, the politicians spoke first. Each one (alloted 20 minutes) went for at least an hour. I, as the honored guest, went last. By which time the room had pretty much emptied out. I said a few things in Italian, which got everyone excited (or at least awake).
The good part was that I gave three or four interviews, two TV, 2 with major newspapers, and met someone who might be interested in having their publishing house translate the book. That would be cool, but its a long shot.
It was pouring rain, so I didnt take too many more photos, just one of me in the tie. Will post it soon.
Well, Im done. Now for a real vacation. And maybe some sleep might be nice. Im like Jamie. Lack of sleep aint good.
Having coffee. This cold still makes mornings kinda icky.
Oh, poor you Lisa. Blech. Hope you feel better.
John, I liked your comment. Some interesting thoughts worth pondering. That would be a good exercise, tho.
Busy day. Hoping to get things relatively back to normal by Sunday afternoon. Until then.
John, I thought that your comment nailed it:
"Wendy, something happens in the protagonist's life that will change it (and him/her) forever) and thus we have a story. Ideally, that is where you start unless you have a good reason for starting elsewhere."
I'm still debating this very issue on my first novel Growing Up Single. I need some quality time to "think it through" again on where the best starting point would be. That time has been scarce as of late.
Tried to install the new power supply on the family PC last night and ran into various issues. I was telling my son these projects take 1 hour, 2 hours or much longer. I'm already into the much longer stage. I actually had to drill holes in the metal Compaq case to mount the new power supply and then I had issues on connecting power to the mother board. The documentation is extremely sparse and clear as mud. Finally smartened up and went to bed. Arggh!
Sy, best way to end jet lag? Walk around during the day outside --- helps reset the body clock. DON'T take naps, at least not until your body time is adjusted. Stay up until at least 8:30 pm or so (10:00 is fine), and then crash. Get up the next morning no sooner than 6:00 am, but no later than 8:00 am. Then, repeat the next day and night.
Once you have been able to get a good night's sleep 2 nights in a row, you should be "locked in". Try to avoid really late nights or sleeping until 10:00 am that will throw you back into your regular time zone. Works for me.
Jk, is there such a thing as normal? lol!
Good thing I didn't take my shower before Gidget's bath. Managed to get my shirt soaking wet from Gidget trying to crawl into my chest. Soggy wet head on my shoulder, under my arm until she figured out that she was safe. Not exactly the first bath she's had and she loves water normally. Thank god she's a short hair and dries fast. I have a whole set of towels for dog issues so she was dried off with little fuss. Was very curious about me taking my shower and had to poke her head in the shower a few times. Very interested in watching the shower head which doesn't get used when she gets a bath. Now white as new fallen snow asleep on the couch in my office. Happy to report the floor was fine, no rivers or streams.
James, I know, you are right. I am ususally much better than this. But a few things were keeping me awake the last two nights, and it has been raining terribly, so I have let myself go. Anyway, this way you guys will never know when I might pop in.
Mwahahahaha.
Hmmm...pondering John's advice on the "arresting passage" as the beginning. I agree, but in my case I needed a few paragraphs to allow the reader to fall into the story rather than getting thrown. In a romance I don't think the throwing techniques works, maybe a thriller or mystery. Analogy: you should know your on the river, but not jump in at the point the protagonist has hit the first set of rapids. Maybe just before?
Having our wine and nibble cocktail gathering tomorrow, so I did things like launder the throw rugs and remove the most offense weeds from the deck area. Thankfully, the Sudafed is kicked in and now, back to the tale.
Congrats Simon on the media interviews. Can I have your autograph? Euro-celeb amongst us. Ooh la la!
Yep, they go through the gawky stage. all legs, not always very graceful have a tendency to do the silliest things. Gidget decided to chase her tail. I don't know if like a kid, she enjoyed the sensation of spinning in circles but she went into bigger circles, lost her balance, bumped into the end table between the chairs with a thud. One hand grabbing my coffee cup the other steadying the glass vase of roses--the big doof. Thankfully all my end tables are solid wood, most of my figurines and knick-knacks are put up on the entertainment center. I have a beautiful wolf sculpture, weighs about 6 pounds. Thought it was safe, you know not exactly tiny, but she managed to get it in her mouth and carry it around--yikes. Actually sat it on the floor and laid down by it. 'bout had a heart attack when I saw that as I came into the living room. It too, now lives on top of the entertainment center. I've broke her from munching on roses, so she's coming along.
Simon, loved your story of Italian conferences! And I thought some of the stuff I attended here was bad! But hey, I suppose anything with gorgeous 25 year olds escorting you can't be all bad! Congrats on the interviews, and keeping my fingers crossed for you on the translation thing. That would be wonderful!
Beth, yes, lunch here starts at 11:30, since most folks start work at 7:30 (except me, I start at 8). Lunch is actually whenever we can fit it in, but company tradition is 11:30. This was started many long years ago, when the company was downtown, and restaurants were few and got crowded quickly if you waited until noon. That's not so true now that we are in the 'burbs, but everyone's tummy starts rumbling at 11:30 anyway. Now if I could only talk them into that siesta thing!
Oh Sia, Gidget does sound like a big, cute goof! How darling!
Vivian, are we invited to the wine and cheese thing too?
PAAUULLLL!! Got my copy of "Conjuror" in the mail today. How COOL is that? Thanks. I hope to return the favor someday, but you might have to settle for a copy of my biochem lab book when it comes out. :-P
Dogs! Such PITAs. But still we love them. Must be the unconditional love thing.
1. Flood warning
2. Flash flood watch
3. Tornado watch
4. Wind advisory
5. Grasslands Fire danger
What? That's it?
Beautiful, female Sweedish triplets perhaps......
Pat, I'll be busy kicking back wine and lounging. The door is unlocked, just let yourself in. Very laid back, sort of a potluck cocktail party. We throw out some finger foods and a couple bottles of wine and people add to it. We usually end up with a full dinner, or 5 baguettes with no toppings and 20 bottles of wine, of which 5 won't even get opened. At which point I throw a slew of miniature meatballs out so people don't get too soused. Poor orphaned bottles, you'll be glad to know they make appearance at the next function and get drunk.
Hmmm, Swedish triplets, triple-poster...correlation?
Terrible weather indeed. But how can you have a fire watch and flash flood warning at the same time?
It was pouring buckets of rain here too today. I managed to stay dry though. I just got in one of the Swedish girl's Volvo and she drove me. Hmmm, I just read that sentence again. It might be too Simon even for me. Should I delete it? Nah.
Jamie, just strong winds or a tornado?
Simon is the extreme weather sings of global warming, is this "The Day After Tomorrow" coming to fruition?
Yes Pat, I see Judi and Jamie comments.
I hope not. Imagine what Pat would say if we suddenly had an ice age to deal with. Sheeesh.
6. Severe Thunderstorm Warning
So I'm logging off for a while. Later, 'bats.
I so want to go for a bike ride. Have to work off yesterday's lunch. Went to Red Robin's Gourmet Burgers, then made the mistake of checking out the nutritional information afterwards. The Burger alone was just a little short of 1200 calories, and something like 79 grams of fat, not to mention the sodium. I'm using a point system to try to keep calories under control and the burger alone was 90% of my points for the day. Then you add in fries and a coke and a refill on the coke. Yipes.
By the way, in case anyone is interested, I'm cranking out articles like crazy. I did a bunch of them for a couple of dead tree zines I do and I'm putting quite a few of them up. I did another solar/ alternate energy one, this one on some recent developments and companies/approaches to watch. I'm also posting several alternate history things, but unless you are into the alternate history part of science fiction they probably won't do much for you.
Here is the url for the solar article:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977362386&nav=MyGather
Pat would figure out a way to live underground where there was a warm underground pool of water, with crystals embedded in her ceilings, and tapestries of lovely things on her walls. Hubs would figure out a way to rig up UV lights in her atrium where the small stream off the pool entered and fell in a small waterfall. She'd have wicker furniture dotted all around, a table with her laptop in front of a big screen 'window' where various scenes of whatever outside scene she wanted would play. An alcove off of there would be where she'd watch her favorite shows when she felt like it or music. Hubs would would have a small garden to stuff. Hubs being very enterprising, you understand and solicitous of her well being. All the comforts of home.
You should see it Wendy. BTW how went your meeting with Mortgage company?
I am an utter failure at dealing with jet lag on this trip. Fell asleep quite nicely on schedule 2 hours ago. And here I am, wide awake at midnight. Oh well, what Pat said. Ill sleep when I sleep, and the rest of the time not.
Jamie, have you thought of working for the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce? I can imagine a new campaign. "Want some excitement? Visit Nebraska"
Kids- we are food providers and transportation devices Jamie. I usually respond with the what are you making us comment for cheeky requests like that.
Where's Mike? Mike? Are you lurking? MIKE!
Vivian, can't wait to see your humor article. I need to get back to doing that, but the only time funny things happen to me is when hubs leaves. My house hates me, and I do not do well taking care of myself.
Sia, you forgot the bedroom in my grotto. The one with the enormous canopy bed, sheer bed curtains fluttering in the piped in tropical breezes, and the fake scent of oranges and vanilla and coffee (just cause I like all three of those things mixed together!) OK, bring on the ice ages, I'm ready.
Yes Vivian, that one is on me. I'll have to hire someone to do the digging. Might chip a nail, you know.
Cause you know, I do tend to go on and on.