The beginning of a book is very important because it serves to attract attention and hook the person so that they continue reading until the end. If you ever wondered how to write the beginning of a book, in this article we answer how to do it, and how not to do it. Plus, we’ll go over some of the best book starters.
How to start writing a book: objectives
How do you start writing a book? First, a truth: there are no exact recipes to write a good first paragraph in a book. In fact, it is best not to obsess over it, because you can rewrite it as many times as necessary. However, we cannot deny that there is a series of elements that the beginnings of the novels must (almost) always fulfill. Let’s see what they are.
To hook
If you want to know how to write the first chapter of a book, you have to know that a book has to captivate from the beginning, and for this it is recommended that there be a contrast or a provocation that leaves the reader wanting to know more. Next, we are going to see some examples of first paragraphs that leave no one indifferent:
- “Mom died today. Or maybe yesterday. I do not know. I received a telegram from the asylum: “Her mother passed away. Burial tomorrow. Heartfelt condolences.” But she doesn’t want to say anything. Perhaps it was yesterday» ( The Stranger , by Albert Camus).
- “The first thing they did was show their boobs” ( Kentukis, by Samanta Schweblin).
Set the tone of the narrative
One of the ways to start writing a book is to set the tone for the genre or tone that the reader will encounter in the plot. For example:
- «The monster appeared after twelve at night. Like all monsters do» ( A monster came to see me , by Patrick Ness). In this case, the reader is placed in a fantastic universe and it becomes clear that it is a children’s book.
- “That morning, after a night of restless dreams, Gregorio Samsa realized that he had become a huge insect” ( The Metamorphosis , by Franz Kafka). Here, a literature of the absurd is presented.
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Set the style
A first paragraph is a great way to communicate to the reader some elements such as the language we use, the rhythm of the narrative or even the complexity or simplicity of the sentences. In other words, the first paragraph sets the style . Let’s look at two examples of very different styles:
- «It was inevitable: the smell of bitter almonds always reminded him of the fate of conflicted love» ( El amor en los tiempo del cólera , by Gabriel García Márquez).
- “You told me I talked in my sleep” ( La uruguaya , by Pedro Mairal).
What to do (and what not to do) at the beginning of a book
Now that we have seen what the most important objectives are at the beginning of a book, it is time to detail a series of tips on what to do and what not to do when sitting down to write the beginning of a novel .
put something in motion
Although the descriptions are very important, the first paragraph may not be the best place to make a detailed exposition of the walls of the protagonist’s room. Unless, of course, those walls have some importance in the plot. It is best to start the book with something that is in progress:
- “Stephen turned up his coat collar as he hurried down the platform” ( Agatha Christie’s A Tragic Christmas ).
- “I get into the taxi in Alem al nine hundred” ( Nineteen claws and a dark bird , by Agustina Bazterrica).
Of course, it is not necessary to narrate a car chase or a horse race; sometimes the movement can be subtle like the closing of a window. Or, as in the cases that we will see next, there may be a sound:
- “Screams, echoes, and the subterranean noise of shower water splashing on tile filled the locker room” ( Stephen King’s Carrie ).
- The express train engine behind me hissed like an enraged snake” ( Agatha Christie‘s Pale Horse Mystery ).
Don’t count the weather…unless you have to
It is not recommended that the book’s first paragraph refer to weather conditions. Unless, of course, it is justified, as in the following case:
- “The night is deep: it freezes over the Park” ( Las Malas , by Camila Sosa Villada).
Here, Sosa Villada proposes a story of denunciation about the situation of marginalization of transvestite and trans women; In this sense, including references to the weather makes visible a harsh winter outdoors.
Give dosed information
In the rush to want to present the entire universe we create to the reader, we run the risk of overwhelming him. The best thing is that the information is dosed so that the reader can process it. Therefore, it is not recommended that the first paragraph establishes the entire universe: giving a few small clues is fine.
Can you imagine if Tolkien had tried to condense the entire mythology of Middle-earth into his first paragraph of The Hobbit ? Luckily he didn’t, and he managed to take a first screenshot:
“Not a damp, dirty, disgusting hole, with the remains of worms and a slimy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing to sit on or eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.” ( The Hobbit , by JRR Tolkien).
better narrate than explain
Instead of explaining, it is best for the reader to interpret the emotions, sensations and actions of the characters. So, if we wanted to portray a woman in deep anger, it is advisable to show how she screams with rage or hits the furniture in her house instead of simply saying, “Maria was very angry” or “Maria was in deep rage. ». This advice applies both to the beginning of a novel and to the rest of the book.
Do not tell how the protagonist gets up
The narrator-alarm clock is boring. Showing how the protagonist gets out of bed, brushes his teeth and prepares breakfast is, at this point, one of the biggest clichés in literature. We all get up, we all brush our teeth, and we all have breakfast: it’s best to get straight into the action.
Conclusion: let it flow!
How to start writing my book? Well, as we already said, there are no recipes. Although there are some elements that you can take into account, do not get too complicated: it is best to let the first paragraph flow, but with the certainty that we can return to the beginning as many times as necessary. Don’t let the start of the book bog you down: there’s always room to proofread, edit, adjust, and refine.
If you are still thinking about how to start writing your book, or if you have a plot in mind but you do not know how to put it on paper and turn your idea into a reality, do not hesitate to contact us: in Word, we offer you a book writing service custom made.
