This month I have struggled with the beginning of my work in progress. I fear that it’s not interesting enough. Yes, the characters are in space and someone has gone missing, but will it grab and hold the attention of the reader? Will they stick with the main character until his hair turns yellow and he blows things up? Or will they give up while he’s sitting in class?
I’ve tried several solutions. I added a new conflict to the first scene to amp up the friction, but that forced the appearance of a side character sooner than planned which made the scene crowded. I tweaked and shuffled and then I realized that the new conflict I chose was superfluous to the story so it wasn’t helping in the long run and I cut it.
I tried adding a whole new scene to the beginning, but making the beginning longer didn’t necessarily make it better, it just got me further from the inciting incident (the thing that lights a fire under the protagonist’s metaphorical butt). I cut it.
Then I thought maybe it’s not the action I need to worry about in the beginning as much as the like-ability of my protagonist. After all, if the reader doesn’t care about the protagonist, the story is over. I’ve stopped watching shows (or reading books) in the middle of exciting action because I literally didn’t care if the main character lived or died. On the other hand, I’ve stuck with characters through some very mundane conflicts because I liked them. So maybe the way to fix my beginning is to be sure I’m introducing my readers to a wonderful young man they want to go on an adventure with.
I’ve tightened the writing of the first scenes, analyzed the plot structure, and clarified the conflict. I’ve done all I can. Maybe it’s time to give the first scenes to some trusted friends and ask: Do you like this guy? Why or why not?
Has there been a time when a fresh pair of eyes looking at your work helped you fix a scene or move ahead?
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17
Images courtesy of socialunderground.com (Jupiter), Jooinn (eyes)
Katie Robles Writes 