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@r-m-archer That sounds like a neat idea, but I don’t have a lot of time right now. I’ll think about it and see if I can come up with anything. If I do come up with anything, I’ll let you know. If I don’t, I’ll probably just never speak to you again…XD So I would just be writing about languages/other in general? Anything specific?
@nova21 🙂 Glad to be of service.
First chapters. Purpose: To introduce. To intruce what? The things that the writer must introduce. The setting of each particular scene you wish to introduce. The setting for the story. The setting of the mood of the story. The introduction of characters (all those characters that you as the writer wish to introduce as you see fit to provide the adequate backing for the rest of your story). Quality. Story. The introduction of the writer’s level of expertise: are you actually a good writer or a terrible writer? What’s your style like? How do all the things/events/etc. that you open up with and present for the story effect the story? Charles Dickens: One can tell by his first sentences that he is a great writer. He can write proficiently and greatly. BUT: is he a good author. Can he write good stories. Will his style be consistent throughout the novel. Introduction of the conflict.
Also: you must be consistent with everything you present in the first chapter or first few chapters in regards to the rest of your novel. This has to do with story, characters, etc. You are introducing your characters. Your story/conflict. Your setting. The setting — even if you plan on moving to a different setting later on. Every setting you introduce is an introduction to the readers of that setting. Anything you introduce sets the tone for the readers for the way those things will end up being. If you have a bad introduction, a bad first chapter, your book will be crippled. So: Plan before you write. Then write your plan. Research and think about all the angles one could take on the introduction: make sure your material is interesting. Make your story diverse and interesting. Don’t bore your readers.
The first chapter of your book is in essence the introduction to your book. This is assuming that you are not including any sort of pre-material (Prelude, prologue, etc.).
Introduce key themes, character arcs, story. Don’t be cliché, and provide enough backstory to get your readers interested: this can be easily hinted at through the setting. What is the landscape like? Dull or lush? Hard or soft. Hot or cold. Lukewarm?
Think about things. The first chapter is not all about introducing your protagonist. Or your antagonist (though you can certainly do that). Your book is not an information dump on your characters. Novels are for story. Characters carry story: thus, characters are involved in the story. A good introduction is essential.
First sentences: These are important. Your introduction must intrigue your audience. You are providing for them the introduction and in that introduction the hook of intrigue that your audience must catch on to. If your audience doesn’t care about your first chapter, that’s a problem. You want them to love your first chapter because it’s the beginning of your story. If they hate your story you might as well give up. What’s your storyline? Give it to people. If they like it, great. If they don’t, change your story. Or write the story you want to write as a hobby.
USE. DIALOGUE. Use the tools of your craft, but use dialogue particularly. People care more about dialogue than they do about narrative. Use dialogue. Never forsake dialogue. Dialogue provides insight into characters, into how they react; dialogue provides insight into the story, the conflict. Don’t forsake dialogue.
Don’t be too modern in your writing. Introduce. And introduce with style. Take as long as you need in your introduction: you are after all introducing your whole story. But don’t be bland.
@ugroza Good morning tu thee, and besides welcome to Kingdom Pen. I take it you made a fine entry through the gates?
600 books? Neat; I’ve got quite a bit as well. Books get interesting. Especially when moving over large distances. Also especially when a grey-leather The Lord of the Rings gets harshly bent. Especially then.
I’m assuming you’ve got a few dictionaries, aye?
@kathleenramm Nevertheless, it’s true.
@seekjustice Wull, ya!@gracie-j Obviously. That’s what I’ve been thinking for a while. XD
@kathleenramm The Maze Runner series.
@kathleenramm This was probably a bad idea.
@nova21 XD I had no idea, gosh.
@devastate-lasting @gracie-j HAHAHA! Wow. I’m just gonna let ya’ll bask in the unfathomability of the prospect of my potentially disturbing and/or outstanding return, however unlikely that will be. Well, it was good talking to ya again. Goodbye!
@devastate-lasting Well, I’m glad to see that somebody did. XD!
@nova21 Well, glad you submitted it.
@devastate-lasting (XD) Yes, very. You’ve no idea.@seekjustice Never read the book in my life.
@lewilliams @larchness Yeah, N.D.Wilson’s got some pretty great fantasy. He has quite an…interesting imagination, that one.
