Melanie Nilles

It may be the name of the program for expectant mothers at our Primecare medical facilities, but it’s also works for a writer’s baby, the story. Each story has its own personality, just like every child that comes into this world, and we want to give it a good start, a healthy beginning.

Beginning a story is difficult to do, or, rather, beginning a story so readers keep reading–one sentence leads to the next–and turning pages. You’ll find examples of many ways to open a story. Some stories use a prologue, some jump right into the heart of the story. No good story begins with description and “set up” or “fluff”, to use my word for it.

The key is to keep the reader reading for more. Don’t bore them. Yes, you may be thinking “But…but…but…” because “the reader needs to know that–” or “This is really cool–”. To you, the writer, maybe. But think like a reader. Would YOU pick up a book that began with paragraphs or pages of description or background info unrelated to the main plot? Do YOU want to read about what shade of green the paint is or an essay about some insignificant fact that has no bearing on the story? Okay, those are made up examples, but I wouldn’t doubt they’ve been used.

My point is to begin with action. Make the opening intriguing in some way that the reader will continue. I’m still practicing myself; it’s one of my weaknesses, and a common one for many writers. If you have to, trash every chapter at the beginning until something happens to the main character making the reader wonder what’s next. If there is anything you feel needs to be said or details you can’t live without, insert them elsewhere. You’ll find a way…eventually.

Don’t be afraid to turn into Edward Scissorhands–or, more likely, Edward Deletefingers–and hack it to pieces. You’ll be attached; I know. But having the right opening is tantamount to keeping the audience’s attention.

You need a healthy beginning to give your baby the best chance of success in life.