The Novel Writing Blog.
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Chapter One
The first chapter of a novel needs to do some heavy lifting to start the story. Once you realize that what needs to be done follows a fairly clear format, it makes light work of the task.
- to put your reader into the world (location/setting/era)
- to pose a question the reader wants to get an answer for (create mystery or intrigue)
- to introduce the main character
- to set the mood
- to kickstart the plot development
But what's essential for a story to start in the space between you and the reader?
In the video with this blog, you'll find a clip from a lesson with Justin Cronin in which he describes the basic layout as:
- where and when are we?
- who are the major players?
- what's the point of view?
- What's the story's larger moral and cultural setting?
"There's nothing wrong with just flat out declaring this information at the start of a narrative. I...
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The Author.
Louise Dean
Founder of The Novelry.
Louise Dean is the award-winning Booker longlisted author of novels published internationally. Winner Society of Authors Betty Trask Prize. Winner Le Prince Maurice. An Oprah Book Club Choice. Longlisted for The Guardian First Book and The International Dublin Literary Award,
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