Blog 35: Back to School

It’s arrived! The time that many parents have been waiting for. After six weeks of trying to find things for the kids to do over the summer, they have finally gone back to their usual routine. Some children will be going to school for the first time, others will be starting high school or college, and older ones may be off to university. Even if they are returning to the same place of education, it's a different year, with new teachers and higher expectations.

It's a little different for us as my daughter is beginning a new high school. Having realised that a large setting was too overwhelming for her, she has begun going to a smaller one, which will hopefully mean less stress, an easier environment to learn in, and new friends. It is also a slightly later get-up, so it’s good for us too. Like so many others, it's a new start. She was very nervous on her first day but I'm relieved to say she has settled in. These changing times in our lives can be filled with a mix of emotions like anxiety and uncertainty, but also excitement and hope for what it may bring.

Is this how you feel when starting a story for the first time? Are you full of enthusiasm, ready to get your ideas onto the page? Or are you a little unsure as to whether it's going to work out? Perhaps you also have contrasting feelings as you venture forth into unknown territory. The beginning is crucial to hook your reader. Have you found the best place to start? Is that first line intriguing enough to jump-start your tale? Knowing how to begin can be a headscratcher. So, let’s have a look at some tips on what to consider.

Firstly, what should the beginning of a story achieve? Well, it should grab the attention of the reader. We need to make sure they want to carry on reading, not close the book and walk away. It should also set the tone for your story, give a clear idea of the theme, and introduce the main character and their world. There’s a lot to think about. So, as Maria says in The Sound of Music, "Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start." I won’t sing the rest, you get the idea.

Here are some techniques you can use to kick off your narrative: -

Medias res – a popular option to hook your reader is to begin at a point of action. Where the character is already in a position of conflict, and we are instantly drawn into their predicament.

Short sentences – long drawn-out introductions can feel tiring when you first pick up a book. Keep it short and snappy.

Unexpected – starting from an unusual place can create a sense of intrigue and mystery, drawing out questions from the reader that can only be answered by delving further into the narrative.

Imagery – show the reader a clear picture of the scene for them to visualise the character, their world, and what is happening. But don’t get carried away with in-depth descriptions, as this can slow down the momentum. Fold it into your narrative through the action and dialogue.

Voice and tone – take time to consider what point of view you would like to use. Who is telling your story? The main character or someone looking on? Who is the best narrator to tell this tale and portray the character in a way that helps the reader connect with them? A first-person account can feel more intimate, like reading a diary, but can also restrict what you are able to tell, as you are only able to report events through what they see. Is the book mysterious, humorous, or suspenseful? The style should also be evident from the start.

Foreshadowing – there should be a clue as to what the story is about. There’s nothing worse than seeing a book cover that appears to be about one thing, and then when you begin to read, it is something completely different. In the same way, don’t put anything into the start that isn’t important to your story. If you begin with someone standing on the edge of a cliff with suicidal thoughts, the reader will expect this to be something that the character has to overcome. Try to put across something that the character needs to propel the story forward. Some sort of conflict or dilemma that they will need to take action to remedy.

Dialogue – this can be a good way to start, taking us straight into a conversation can grab attention. However, it can also cause confusion as to who is speaking. So, if you choose to do this, make sure you add in all the important introductory elements too, either within the dialogue or narrative, telling us who the characters are, the conflict, and the theme. A clear picture still needs to be established.

Introductions – the reader needs to connect and care about what is happening, so introducing them to your character or characters and their world at the start is important. We don’t want vital info just randomly popping in later on, and the reader trying to reset their thinking as to what they are reading about.

Something new – you could try writing in a different way to the norm, such as: a letter or document format, non-linear, an unreliable narrator, from the point of view of a villain, or hybrid and combine a couple of different formats. A little experimenting can be useful to help you find the best avenue for your current WIP.

Writing Exercise

Have a go at practicing the first paragraph of a story. Write down a few ideas of how you would like to start, and choose two or more to compare the results.

You could take a current WIP or an old story and perhaps begin it in a different place, change the POV or the format to see how it compares to the original.

So, my writers, go forth and create a new beginning, then let me know how you got on. Until next week, tatty bye and good luck.