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Rated: 13+ · Message Forum · Writing · #1474311
A month-long novel-planning challenge with prizes galore.
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Oct 4, 2022 at 5:46pm
#3524685
Re: Re: Re: Re: Plotting the Beginning - Where Does Your ...

How you start your story depends on the type of story and the genre. However, the main plot should begin with the first plot point - inciting incident - the thing that propels the protagonist into their struggle to gain their goal. Never start the novel with backstory.

If you're writing a mystery or a detective novel for instance, then that inciting incident, e.g, the finding of a murder victim, should come somewhere in the first two chapters. It is still worth introducing your character in their 'ordinary world'. Readers want to know who the story is about and want to engage with the character so he/she should be shown doing something interesting i.e. something unusual or challenging for them before they are thrown headlong into the plot by the inciting incident.


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MESSAGE THREAD
Plotting the Beginning - Where Does Your Story Start? · 10-04-22 12:00am
by šŸ’™ Carly-wrimo 2024 Author IconMail Icon
Re: Plotting the Beginning - Where Does Your Story Start? · 10-04-22 12:02am
by Dragon is hiding Author IconMail Icon
Re: Plotting the Beginning - Where Does Your Story Start? · 10-04-22 12:06am
by QueenNormaJean maybesnow?! Author IconMail Icon
Re: Plotting the Beginning - Where Does Your Story Start? · 10-04-22 4:51pm
by šŸŒ» thankful pwheeler nano Author IconMail Icon
Re: Re: Plotting the Beginning - Where Does Your Story St... · 10-04-22 5:00pm
by šŸ’™ Carly-wrimo 2024 Author IconMail Icon
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Re: Re: Plotting the Beginning - Where Does Your Story St... · 10-04-22 5:09pm
by azrael Author IconMail Icon
Re: Re: Re: Plotting the Beginning - Where Does Your Stor... · 10-04-22 5:23pm
by šŸŒ» thankful pwheeler nano Author IconMail Icon
*Star* Re: Re: Re: Re: Plotting the Beginning - Where Does Your ... · 10-04-22 5:46pm
by A E Willcox Author IconMail Icon
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Plotting the Beginning - Where Does Y... · 10-04-22 5:57pm
by azrael Author IconMail Icon
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Plotting the Beginning - Where Do... · 10-04-22 6:00pm
by A E Willcox Author IconMail Icon

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