by Andrea Lundgren
As a book reviewer, I read a lot of first chapters and beginnings to judge whether I want to review a book. Instead of being moved by the cover or hype from other readers, I usually have only the blurb and the words themselves to guide me (I often haven’t even seen the cover until afterwards).
And I’ve come to the conclusion that a book doesn’t have to be flashy to “hook” me. It doesn’t have to start with a bang, and even that much-discussed opening sentence or paragraph doesn’t have to be artistic, original, awe-inspiring, or amazing.
It just has to be authentic. It has to “taste” like the rest of the book.
The beginning has to setup whatever follows. If it’s an action-adventure novel, we should see that in the opening. If it’s a slower paced work exploring a particular theme, the first chapter should reflect that pace and interest. It may not introduce the theme entirely, but it should hint at it.
Because, ultimately, the beginning is designed as a prime sample of what the rest of the story has to offer. If you have humor in your book, that should be represented in the beginning. If you have romance, marriage, suspense, danger, or even magic, it should be hinted at in the beginning.
It’s kind of like those samples they give away at the deli. They slice off a piece of cheese or meat and hand it to you, and you use that taste to judge how much of the rest you’d like to buy. Did you enjoy the flavor? The thickness of the slice? The texture and consistency? If they gave you salami when the rest of the product is a fine provolone, you’d be making your decision based on flawed information. The beginning would set you up to expect something that the rest of the book never delivers.
So, as the proverb on marriage says, “Begin as you mean to go on.” Write something that represents who you are, as a writer, and what you are writing, and let your readers judge accordingly. Don’t try to follow a fad or even a genre-standard if it doesn’t fit your story. Tell the story you want to write, and make sure the beginning reflects the rest: in tone, in humor, and in content.
Guest post contributed by Andrea Lundgren. Andrea enjoys books and all things writing–from how we write to why we write–and her blog explores things from a writer’s point of view.
Reblogged this on From Story To Book and commented:
A refreshingly different perspective on the opening scenes of a book.
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Amen! Andrea has nailed it with this article. I read it through twice and on the second read found that I kept nodding my agreement. I’ve discovered that each piece I read is read with a two-prong approach. The first to enjoy and savor the piece. The second is to put myself into the author’s shoes and figure out why they structured their piece the way they did. Then I marry the two together in the construction of my review. My intent is to share my personal learning with others so that overall everyone can learn for the text. So, again, Andrea, well done!
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Thank you! I’m very glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
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Set the tone from the beginning…practically rule #1 for fiction and nonfiction. Thanks for the reminder! Pinned & shared.
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Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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Be true to the content; such a good reminder
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It always surprises me how many times authors feel pressured to make the beginning radically different because it’s what is expected in the genre or what sells well. It’s a definite temptation that writers have to resist. 🙂
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I know I would feel deceived or short-changed
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Usually, for me, it’s the other way around. I like the material later in the story and respond with “why didn’t this show up earlier, in the first chapter or the blurb, or better still, both?” 🙂
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Reblogged this on Archer's Aim and commented:
Good advice on writing a beginning from a reviewer…
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Reblogged this on My Writing Blog and commented:
Very sensible and logical!
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Reblogged this on Don Massenzio's Blog.
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Reblogged this on Janet's Writing Blog and commented:
This blog post by a book reviewer is enlightening, and it gives me something new to think about regarding the writing of a novel’s hook. I’ve been taught in classes and in reading how-to books about writing that the opening sentence/paragraph/page should grab the reader’s attention. This is the first article I’ve read that addresses the importance of a novel’s opening matching the rest of the book in tone.
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Reblogged this on JanetsWritingBlog and commented about how it gives a different perspective on a novel’s hook. This blog post will prompt me to revisit the hook I wrote for the historical novel manuscript I’m working writing. Does that hook match the rest of my manuscript in tone? Thank you for your book reviewer’s insight, Ms. Lundgren.
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Couldn’t agree more! It’s so important to maintain a consistent voice throughout your novel.
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Reblogged this on Books and More.
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Reblogged this on WILDsound Writing and Film Festival Review.
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