How to Write the First Pages of a Literary Novel
Writing Gripping Opening Scenes to a Fiction Story
Aug 3, 2009
So how does the writer begin a story? Grabbing the attention of readers is easier said than done, and for this reason, novelists will agonise for hours over the first 250 words or so.
The Introduction to a Story
It is a good idea to think back to novels that have a gripping opening in order to analyse what it is about them that compels the reader to keep turning the pages. Alan Bennett’s The Uncommon Reader (Faber & Faber/ Profile Books, 2008) and J D Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye (Penguin Books Ltd, New Impression Edition, 1969) grab the reader in two differing ways: Bennett’s warm and humorous narrative voice at first merely piques curiosity until the reader realises the protagonist is the Queen. By contrast, Sandlers’ irreverent Caulfield proclaims his disbelief in imparting anything of his background or any of that “David Copperfield kind of crap,” makes the reader want to know what happens to him. By exploring different techniques available, one might learn something in the application of the opening sequence within the novel.
Making the Reader Turn Pages
One of several pointers is worth considering when writing an opening to a novel.
- Beginning the story at a crisis point such as conflict, an embarrassing situation or discovery of a shocking secret
- A highly unusual situation
- A distinctive and strong narrative voice
- Presenting a mystery that compels the reader to want to find answers
What to Include at the Beginning
Not all novels indicate a time, space or the identity of the main protagonist at the very beginning (although most do) but it is important to impart just enough to keep the reader interested in order to drip feed more answers (sometimes posing more questions) at strategic points later in the novel. The beginner might be tempted to give all away too quickly, or conversely, not give enough away to tempt the reader. Strategic use of the withholding of information and delay is really what novels are all about.
Tightening up the Opening Scene
With all this in mind, it is vital to tell the story via effective and optimum use of language. This is known as writing style, and can make a good opening scene great. The following things to watch out for might be worth bearing in mind when writing the first page and will make the reader feel assured they are in the hands of a master storyteller.
- Superfluous words
- Clichés
- Overlong sentences and/or paragraphs
- Abstract expressions that could be expressed in a concrete way
- Dubious sentences with an unclear meaning
- Overuse of adjectives and adverbs
- Too much passive writing
- A complex expression for something simple
- Grammatical mistakes and typos
It might also help to read the page aloud to ensure that the words flow naturally.
Making the Agent and the Reader Read On
The opening page of a novel provides a shop window from which agents, publishers, not to mention potential readers may peek. A few sentences are often all that is needed to make the reader carry on or close the book. Taking the time to perfect the first page is more likely to result in the reader carrying on to the next page.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
