Thread: I can't decide the best way to begin my thriller

I have two scenes in my opening chapter that are now out of chronological sequence. I've done this because the scene I open with deals with one of my MC on a plane that is unsuccessfully attacked by terrorists. I think it is a very exciting scene and will capture a readers interest. However, it is in the next scene that my second MC invites the first for a visit. He agrees to come and that's when his plane is attacked.

So, is it more important to keep the story in the proper chronological order or attempt to entice the reader even though the scenes are out of time sequence?

The movie Memento is pretty much totally backwards, and doesn't lose anything because of that. . .but it depends. Sometimes it's really interesting to start off with an exciting moment that draws you in, then follow that up with the events leading up to it, even though it's the wrong way round.

It really depends on the writing; I'd have to read what you've done to decide whether it actually works or not.

Originally Posted by wannabe1

So, is it more important to keep the story in the proper chronological order or attempt to entice the reader even though the scenes are out of time sequence?

Will the reader care about the plane being attacked if they know nothing about the characters?

You don't need to start a story with explosions and gunfights, and it's actively harmful if the reader has no reason to care about the characters; there's no pont, say, having a big battle between Joe's Mob and Bob's Gang as the first chapter of a novel if I don't know whether I'm supposed to be sympathising with Joe or Bob and why. Starting with the conflict over a teddy bear when they were kids that lead to their life-long emnity is likely to be more effective.

And, of course, if you start with a big action sequence you're going to have to do a lot more later in the story to keep readers interested.

There is no solid answer to this.

Starting off a story with a bang can be a good thing, especially if it is a thriller-type work where you're looking to grab attention right off the bat. Characters can't be terribly well-developed in the short period of time between the two scenes in question, so I wouldn't worry about that part, movieman. There's another few hundred pages to develop the protagonist in.

But anyway. I'd say you shouldn't worry about this. Jim Butcher's Grave Peril starts with a couple of out-of-order chapters, and then moves chronologically through the rest of the story. It can be done, and done well.

Do what feels best. Terrible answer, I know- but as I said, there really isn't one.

There are no hard, fast rules here beyond: Do what works for the story. Get the thing written, shoot it to some beta readers, and see what they have to say. They'll let you know quick smart if it doesn't work.

And if it works...sweet!