I find that I have a real hard time with the beginnings of my stories. When I’m writing a first draft I don’t easily jump with both feet right into the action. I’m more of a lets set up the scene and ease our way into the story kind of gal. I know that this is frowned upon by most, so I’m trying my best to change that from the time I start writing the story. I find it very difficult to go back to a story that I’ve already started writing and completely change the beginning. Cutting out info and trying to find a place for it later in the story is a huge challenge.
I’m facing this challenge with three different manuscripts. You’d think I’d learn by now. Sometimes I wonder if this is why I do prologues, so I can jump into action right away, then go back to setting the story up.
It’s going to be a cold day. I believe I’m going to have to make some chili. Thanks Denise!
If you do it right, you don't NEED to set the story up. I'm the kind of reader where, if I'm not grabbed right away, I close the book and get rid of it. Period. I don't have time to read books that don't interest me, and I don't have time to give them too much time to grab my attention.You know the backstory in your head, filter it in. You're a skilled enough author to do that.
Hi Ceri -Even though my fiction work has not been published yet, I agree with you in part. I like to set up the scene and characters so I get to know them better. Once my characters have a voice, I feel some of it can be moved around, but it is difficult. 🙂 M