[Writing]: Tips & Tricks: The start of your novel

Today, I'm going to be talking exclusively about THE BEGINNING portions of a novel. We're going to assume that your planning and prep work is either underway, or mostly finished. Optimally, you are now editing a first draft, but if you're just starting, that's okay too. Things get shaky if the planning and prepping aren't done properly, but we're going to concentrate more on substance than planning and plotting. A lot of this might sound really obvious, but until confronted by it directly, many get it wrong or don't know to watch out for it.

First things first is going to be our list of DO's and DON'Ts.

DO

• Include a strong sentence/paragraph at the earliest appropriate opportunity to vividly describe the setting. This should never be the hook or opener.
• Introduce meaningful dialogue at the earliest appropriate opportunity.
• Introduce main characters.
• Attempt to show the normal function of the world.
• Make the objectives clear--even if it's just for the "opening sequence".

DON'T

• Do anything on this list. [Avoid cliches]
• "Dump" information. [Avoid info-dumps]
• Use too many made up words.
• Try to trick or impress the reader in any way.
• Try to withhold information that isn't directly plot relevant for no apparent reason.
• Assume your reader is a moron. Not every single thing needs to be expounded.
• Don't assume you're smarter than your readers.
• Don't include details that aren't directly relevant to what is happening.

Let's get specific:

A strong beginning should accomplish the following:

• Set the tone appropriately for the rest of the book.

The tone is exactly what you're thinking. If it's a comedy, you generally shouldn't introduce themes like sexual assault, race, or politics. I mean, you can . . . but it's generally going to be inconsistent tone. Similarly, if you're writing action, things should be happening. 

• Hook the reader into an engaging story they want to invest in or relate to.

This can be accomplished or failed in the first paragraph, or even sentence. It is critical that you get your hook set properly. A good hook generally contains strong imagery or dialogue and is concise.

• Put a strong image of the setting into your readers head.

Make sure you're watching out for things like adverbs or other missed opportunities to use strong verbs. Never under estimate the power of verbs. A beautiful red glass wall is different than a shimmering glass wall. You get the picture.

• Give a hint as to what's coming (foreshadowing).

This can be subtle and usually only accomplished after the entire draft has been set, but not always. It doesn't have to be overt, but the more hooks you set knowingly (the ones that will be returning elements) the better a position you'll be in later.

• Introduce interesting characters in their natural environment.

This is pretty standard stuff. If you show a character in a court room, that is a much stronger introduction than a character waking up from a long nap at home. P.S Never ever start with a "waking up" hook.

• Position plot devices.

This one is huge. If you mention a flying broom stick in the basement in the first chapter, when the witch grabs the same broom in chapter 14 no one bats an eye. However, if it's just randomly there, people get frustrated.