forum How do i start my story?

Started February 19, 2018 by Lydia

tune

I have my plot, characters, and everything figured out, but I don't know how to start it. If someone could help me (i'll give you more details), that would be FANTASTIC!

I'll help!

Thank you! It's about a Utopian society that has a very specific rule about books. My main character, Lillian, finds a book that isn't listed at her school's library. She starts to read it and notices that the story sounds awfully familiar to her life. When she gets half way through it, she realises that it is her life. She tells her best friend, Jennifer, about the book. They decide to look into it more. They sneak out after curfew, which is punishable by death. They go to the capital, which is about 2 hours on foot, but since they have to hide from the guards, it takes longer. They make their way to the capital at around dawn. A series of events leads them to a place that is called the Library of Souls. In there, there is a single lady at a desk. Around her are sky-high bookshelves all full with books.

I have more, if you want to know, but that's my beginning.

Can I just say, that's the most interesting story idea I've heard in a long time. As for the advice, one way I enjoy starting stories is with an irrelevant memory of the protagonist that subsequently explains some background of the character's situation and the world. For example, in To Kill a Mockingbird, it starts with the main character explaining how her brother broke his arm at a young age when he fell or something, I don't remember exactly, but it never healed right. It's set in the early 20th century and shows how the community they're in doesn't have good medical care, which sets the tone for much of the story, showing examples of poverty and stuff. It's much better than just saying, "She lived in a small town with bad medical care." I think it works quite well, but that's just one of many options. Hope I could help!

Try starting it off in a way that introduces the character, but without directly telling the reader. For example, try showing that the main character has an interest in books by starting off the story as a chapter from one of the books they're reading. Maybe the chapter has a bit of foreshadowing sprinkled in, It could be a poem that tells us about the characters story and personal struggles, there are many ways to go about this.

First of all, amazing plot! I already want to read it…
Secondly, one way you can start a story is by diving into the action. For example, one my stories start with: Alice laughed. "See you guys next week!". Something like this could be followed by a short description of the location, or the person she's talking to, which would immediately lead you to continue on with the story.
PS: Library of Souls is already the title of another book by Ransom Riggs, and it's used in the books quite regularly.

NEVER OPEN WITH A LINE OF DIALOGUE !!!!
Not only is it a pet peeve of mine but it makes your writing seem like it was written by an 11 year on Wattpad who likes 5sos fanfiction. Just don't please, for my sanity.

Also, library of souls is the name of a pretty well-read book, so I would recommend changing it's name to something else and perhaps a little more creative. Sorry, I'm just super petty.

I'm just giving examples. Some people find it involves the reader from the beginning and enjoy the immediate 'action'.

The start of the story looks interesting! How does the rest of the plot roughly go?

I always tell people you've got two options for a beginning (well, they aren't the only options, they're just the best in my opinion): the "once upon a time" start or the "character in action" start. I personally like both, myself. So, you could start with something poetic-sounding for your "once upon a time" start, like–"Year of our lord 4065, 103 years since the Reign began. Sonus City, a hub of industrial trade, falls into the deep shadow of night and smog. The hustle in every main road and side street begins to dissipate like a stream slowly drying up. But two figures run." Then I'd either go straight to the two people running down the street, or I'd pan away and still describe the city, leaving those two running figures as a mystery for awhile (cuz I'm a sucker for drawing readers in like that, and I like a "once upon a time" beginning slightly more if it's done well, tbh. The "character in action" beginning seems overused and cliche at some times, unless it's done really well).

A "character in action" beginning could just start with the perspective down in the street with the two running figures huffing and puffing, their feet splashing in last night's rain, carrying a bundle of something wrapped in cloth. Instead of having the perspective high in the air above the city, describing the atmosphere and the world as a whole, you have the perspective running along with them, not stopping to tell about the city or anything yet. You just deal with the action with NO interruption for exposition or anything like that, you need to keep it as a mysterious action scene. Readers are gonna be like "what the heck is going on?? But I don't care cuz this is EXCITING." Once the action is over then you can go to exposition.

Sorry, that was lengthy…

Thank you all for your feedback. I had no idea that Library of Souls was already a book. I will definitely be revising that. @"n o s t r a d a m u s" , I will not be opening with a line of dialogue. I hate that too. I will definitely be using your guys' advice. I think that I might go with the "character in action." Again, thank you for your help.

I AM RANDOMLY REVIVING THIS THREAD!!!