This week, we're going back to the beginning.
UHM started as a short story. I turned the story into Chapter One. It later became Chapter Two. Then it because Chapter One again but this time following a Prologue.(Now, don't everyone gang up on me about having a Prologue. I have no idea if it will stay or go or grow wings and fly away.)
After working on the ms for awhile, I got stuck. So, I switched gears and worked on writing backstory for some of the main characters but I wrote them as actual scenes...which grew into chapters…chapters I really, really like and want to use as actual chapters, not as flashbacks, etc. (By the way, I've also considered using those backstory chapters as supplemental stories for when - notice I didn't say if! - I get the novel/novella out in the world.)
In UHM, the story starts twenty years ago with the antagonist's arrival and the aftermath of that moment (which by the way, is creepy and gross, and I love it!) Now, the novel could easily start there - and with a bang! - but it originally started twenty years later with the arrival of the protagonist and her disruption of the status quo which triggers all kinds of bad stuff.
The prevailing wisdom is to start the novel in media res, but what if the backstory starts that way, too? And, if that's the case, then maybe the backstory isn't backstory after all? And, of course, maybe I just need to stop worrying about all of this right now and keep writing?
As a writer, how do you handle beginnings? Backstory? As a reader, do you like to know things the protagonist doesn't? (No, don't trust your brother - he's a liar! Yes, believe what the homeless woman is saying - she's not crazy after all!) Or do you prefer to discover things along the with protagonist? (Gasp! Her spouse is really an alien from outer space! No! His client, who is also his best friend, really is guilty of blackmail and murder!)
Just keep writing. When you're done, you'll know what to cut and where to start.
ReplyDeleteWhere to begin is always a challenge. As you said, maybe that backstory is the story.
Yeah, sometimes I jump the gun and start worrying about things that don't need to be worried about right at that moment. Procrastination method, perhaps? :)
DeleteAs a reader, my personal preference is to learn things as the protagonist learns them...keeps me on my toes more :)
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to read that way, isn't it?
DeleteI agree with Keith. :)
DeleteAs a writer and reader of science fiction and fantasy, I have no trouble with prologues. They're used in nearly all my favorite books. As far as knowing things the protagonist doesn't, I like a combination. It's always interesting to read from the 'bad' guy's perspective.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem with Prologues either, but I'm seeing hoopla lately about readers not liking them and skipping over them. I always read the Prologue - to me, it's part of the story! :)
DeleteI agree with Optimistic, I love to learn things as the protagonist does as well. And also agree with Alex to just keep writing! I am just copying everyone else today I guess LOL.
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the problem some have with prologues either. I used one because I thought it worked best for the story. To me it's silly to act as if all prologues are bad, I don't get it.
Apparently, Keith's on a roll! :)
DeleteI'm glad it's not just me who still likes a good Prologue. You all are making me feel much better.
I'm reading a book right now that does a smash-up job of revealing two timelines at once. Chapters rotate between the present and the past, both with engaging action and questions that pull you forward. I thought it was rather brilliant, the structure, though I'm not sure I'd ever be brave enough to mimic it. Best of luck! It's so difficult finding the right balance.
ReplyDeleteI love when authors do that kind of thing and do it so well that we, as writers, can't help but admire it. I'm with you, though, on being brave enough to try it. Maybe one of these days I - we?! - will get up the courage. :)
DeleteEach installment in my fantasy series will have a prologue, and I don't care what the masses think!
ReplyDeleteAnd I also maybe you should just keep writing and see where it takes you. Though it's hard to stop worrying about things, I know.
That's the spirit! :)
DeleteI keep telling myself to just keep going, to not worry about that stuff now etc but I'd have to start listening to myself for that to work!
I generally like to be surprised along with the protagonist. Lengthy dramatic irony just drives me nuts or makes me cringe! That said, I do love (1) solving mysteries just before the protag does (just not way before) and (2) getting some juicy scenes from the antagonist. So there are definitely exceptions. I think prologues can work just fine, so go for it!
ReplyDeleteAs far as the other decisions... all my frazzled brain can say right now is that I feel your pain, since my beginning is killing me (again) too. *gathers supplies for commiseration party* Thanks for sharing your conundrums, and best of luck with everything!
Thanks, Jillian! And all I can say is that there better be cake and chocolate and cheese in those commiseration supplies. :)
DeleteI think a good place to start a story would be when the protagonist is about to experience a catalyst or some sort of event that would cause him to switch gears between his pre-catalyst goals and post-catalyst goals.
ReplyDeleteSometimes when I know things the protagonist doesn't, it can heighten the tension in the story and increase the suspense in the reading. Let's say I know that there's someone hiding inside the protagonist's car waiting for him/her to get in. In the few minutes that the protagonist gets into the car, puts the key in, and drives off, I'll be going, "OMG! OMG OMG!"
That's what a lot of the advice says - start the story when the protagonist's life is about to change. I understand that, but I can't help wonder, what about starting where the antagonist's life is about to change? :)
DeleteOh, and I love those OMG moments, too!
To copy everyone else, keeping writing and see what happens. You'll naturally known where the scene should go. Or perhaps your could have a prologue to your prologue?
ReplyDeleteWhat would that be called - a pre-prologue? A pro-prologue? Prologue 1 and Prologue 2? :)
DeleteThat's a good question, and I realized I have no idea if I prefer to discover with them or know it before then. I can say that knowing it before them increases the tension for me, as a reader.
ReplyDeleteThe Warrior Muse
As a reader, I like both ways which is why I think I'm struggling so much with it as a writer!
DeleteAs a reader I like to have a bit of backstory -if it starts in media res, all the better!
ReplyDeleteI know this is going to sound odd, but I caution over revision - not the copy editing kind, for copy editing is always needed - but the large story kind of revision. The reason is this - I changed Champion in the Darkness 7 times. I still remember the earlier drafts, and somehow, when I finished my novel, I didn't realize how much backstory and world-building info I had cut in my final "big" revision - I wish I hadn't.
So, keep the backstory, build the world (even if it's the real world it's still world building from your character's viewpoint), and keep the stuff you need somehow intact - whether through flashbacks, a prequel novella, a gut-wrenching prologue, alternate time viewpoints, something.
Anyway, that's just my really long gut thought after my own "oops, I edited out too much" issue.
Have a great writing weekend!
Tyrean, thank you for sharing your own writing and revising experience. :)
DeleteHope your weekend is a good one!
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