Thread: When should the action start?

Hi guys,

Not sure if the lounge is the right area for this question, however, I wanted a free spirited debate on this subject. The type of deliberation you would have over coffee.

Okay, so here’s the deal. I keep thinking my story should go straight to the action. Actually, it doesn’t start until you are half way through chapter 3, and the real deal starts in chapter 5. And, that was after I culled 2 chapters of ‘driven drivel’. I have used the early parts to set the scene, give you an insight into my main character's world, and importantly, her family life that results in her going off into an imaginary world.

Although my tale is a fantasy, it has a serious underlying message. It shows how parents’ behaviour can affect even the feistiest 15-year-old girl, even in the techno world of lost souls that we live in. I have based my story loosely on my own upbringing. It is that which has given me an insight into the consequences of dysfunctional, argumentative, and alcohol affected family life. It left me akin to the children (UK) just after the 2^nd World War, with their thoughts full of hopeful, fanciful, imaginary ideals.

Now, my question is, do you think it is necessary that I go straight to the action, or is it okay to use three chapters to set the scene?

I realise that I may have given a sound reason why my story should evolve this way, but I need some real answers. Incidentally, my chapters average 5k. I keep watching films and reading books looking for an insight. I want to keep my reader reading, and they are invariably looking for action. Now I realise that this is all dependent on what I have said and how I have written the opening chapters – snippet under heading, fiction (whispering pond). In essence, I take you inside Rebecca’s head, into her imaginary world, and importantly, how her family behaves around her. I allow the readers to make their own mind up on her world, if it’s real or just her escaping. I have avoided telling you and have shown instead, well, at least I hope I have.

Steve

I don´t think readers demand action, and by action, I refer to a very subjective term. I have read books where near-nothing happens for a couple chapters, and the reason that I continue is down to the flow of writing, the ease of reading, or the characters themselves.

It is your novel Steve, if you feel that it needs action, give it some, but if it doesn´t, don´t damage how you´re presenting the story on page by forcing something for other readers.

That said, action itself can refer to anything, a heated debate, delving into a characters psychosis, describing past events and memories.

It is becoming a common phrase but the way you write your story is just as important as the story itself, and if you think it is interesting without action in the opening couple chapters, then leave it. You seem like a sound writer Steve, Im sure you´ll make the decision that is best for you. Just write the novel and forget about what other people want.

When I showed my ms to a friend who has been a professional editor her first comment was that there was a long scene setting descriptive passage at the beginning. The thing is, firstly that's the way I wanted it, secondly a couple of my friends who have read it commented favourably on just that aspect. I am afraid editors and publishers are as affected by fashions as anyone else, and the fashion at the moment is to say "Get straight into the action and grab the readers attention". My feeling is that there are more ways of getting a reader hooked than swinging into action, and that my forte is writing descriptive stuff, so I am keeping it the way it is.
I think that as long as it is a considered and deliberate decision one can order things in any way, the factors to consider in this case are its appeal to readers, publishers, and one's personal tastes and abilities. For me the publishers come quite low on the list.

Thanks, Tom,

Good advice.
I guess my worry is when we submit to agents, they want 50 pages or there about, and they wouldn't see the fantasy aspect. That said they would see how she thinks, and they would suspect, I hope, that she is capable of something special.

Olly, sound words again, so thank you. I guess I must trust my instinct and writing ability. I want to succeed so badly, I could cry over the importance of my story, and I want it read, understood. If it helps one family, I would have succeeded.

Steve

It´s just as Olly said, just because a publisher is a publisher does not make them the Mayor of Writingville, and though their opinion must be respected, it can be damaging to your story. Just depends on how badly you want to get published I guess, and it´s a risk. An idea might be to worry less about this now, get through writing the rest of the novel, clean it up, and send it to a few and see what you get back. If they all demand a bit more action, go from there. Hope this helps Steve.

Tom, I think, and hope my story is ready to go. Spent 12-month editing and I hope it's there about. Before I send it off, I joined this forum to get some honest feedback, and continue to learn. It would seem, so far, what I have offered up has met with approval. Therefore, a couple more extracts and see where we are.

I did join a local writing group. Alas, they were all, "hello darling, kiss-kiss, I am a writer you know."

Edit, I wondered why my coffee suddenly went cold; it has been moved, hmmm...

If I pick a book off the shelf and there's exposition in the first chapter, I put it down like I just lifted a hot iron with my bare hands. Chapter one is my most important chapter. If it doesn't hook me there, I ask myself what chance is there it'll hook me three hundred pages in?

I'm a firm believer in starting things off with action. That doesn't mean bombs, bullets, and tension. Action doesn't have to be violent, but something has to happen to intrigue me and force me to want to keep reading. Telling me the history of a planet, person, or creature is not what I want to read in chapter one. That kind of back-story can be left until later in the novel and it'll still be relevant.

For example: Someone starts their novel with their MC waking up, showering, shaving, and eating breakfast. What's intriguing about that? It's mundane. Now, take the same scene and start the novel with the MC being late for work. Clothes are getting tossed aside. Bits of stubble are being missed by the razor. The MC falls down the stairs trying to put on his trousers on the run. Two similar scenes, but the second one adds an element of surprise. Anything can happen. We all know what it's like to be late for work, so we can relate immediately with the character.

If you hook your reader on chapter one, you can get away with boring them fifty pages on in chapter ten. They're already invested in the story. But don't lose them before they've even set foot out the shop door.

Yep, Sam and that is exactly my point. Have I succeeded in doing that? That is my provocative question. I tried to let the ball hit early, but the story is about her jaunts through time, and that doesn't happen until chapter 5. The first chapters take her and the reader to that point, by which time you love her so much you hear her heart beat in your thoughts - I hope.

I do believe there is always room for a little exposition.

As I said, I am here seeking feedback and to learn. So far, I have both, and both are good.

Steve

Edit, Hey, Sam, 'bandit country' is that the area around Caven in Ireland, somewhere I often visit, fishing, as you do?

Great topic steve

My mere opinion is that the opening chapter needs to offer something quite dramatic. If it isn't action itself it needs to allude to things to come, I guess I mean a hook. The reader needs to be compelled to read on. I think a good rule of thumb is to offer either action, or the 'hook' intermittently troughout your novel to keep readers engaged and wanting to know more.

Steve, I got the sense from your first post that you are spending a lot of time developing background. Two thoughts:


1. Think "Pulp Fiction" - it is possible to tell a story out of sequence. The reader will figure it out. You can insert backstory anywhere in your manuscript.


2. Do not give your reader information before they need it. If you begin Chapter One with "It was a dark and stormy night," the weather had better be important on page one. If Chapter One takes place completely indoors, don't tell me about the weather. If Chapter Two takes place outdoors, then you tell me it was a dark and stormy night.

It all depends on how interesting those first few chapters are. If they're not interesting, the action won't matter because the reader won't get that far. Make them interesting.

Thanks for your view's folks.

Combining what you have said here, with the fantastic replies I have received on my first extract and synopsis, I now know I have the 'write' balance. I had hoped I had given the reader a taste of what is to come, while setting the initial scene. The comments I have received allude to exactly that.

Steve

As long as you start with an interesting angle.

Some prefer catching attention in medias res, whilst others begin with a foreshadowing conversation. Others try a subtle approach and uses the first chapter to introduce a couple of characters. There are a lot of variables to choose from, and you need to weigh these variables carefully.

There are some exceptions to the rule, too. Check out C M Aaron's post.

I haven't read what you're writing (though I'm familiar with the premise) though I'd be cautious of spending three chapters to set the scene.

Often when I'm writing something I write the rough draft then when I edit I realize that nearly everything that I wrote at the beginning of the work is repeated later (and much better) throughout the work. For me to place it all at the beginning is simply me working it out for myself. It has become standard for me to go back on first edit, find my REAL starting point, and delete everything up to that point.

If I were to read a book where someone spent three chapters on scene-setting it would depend heavily on what else is happening in those three chapters. If I was fascinated by the details, really interested in the characters, and/or curious about what happened next I might make it through that. However, I like a taste of the plot, even if it's not high action or anything, much sooner than three chapters in.

Originally Posted by Steve

Yep, Sam and that is exactly my point. Have I succeeded in doing that? That is my provocative question. I tried to let the ball hit early, but the story is about her jaunts through time, and that doesn't happen until chapter 5. The first chapters take her and the reader to that point, by which time you love her so much you hear her heart beat in your thoughts - I hope.

I do believe there is always room for a little exposition.

Oh, there's always room for exposition. Just not in chapter one. I'm kidding. It's your story, and therefore you write it however you feel it works best. In my experience, however, most readers decide whether they will buy/read a book from two criteria: one, the blurb on the back; and two, how much the first chapter intrigues them. I still feel that any exposition and/or back-story can be left until later on, when you have the full and vested interest of your reader.

Edit, Hey, Sam, 'bandit country' is that the area around Caven in Ireland, somewhere I often visit, fishing, as you do?

'Bandit Country' is what South Armagh was known as during the height of The Troubles in Northern Ireland. There could be an area in Cavan also known as this, but I've never heard of it.