This week: Common Starting Points Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
While searching through ideas in order to write for a prompt on here, I've discovered some stories have similarities or common elements in their first chapters. It is interesting what can be a common ground even when it's not a prominent feature in a story. This newsletter looks at how one can use a common aspect in very different stories. |
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Getting back into the groove of writing, often this comes with the help of prompts from contests here on WDC. Even when I don't finish anything in time for a deadline, I appreciate the nudge and inspiration that helps create a scene or section of a story. However, a recent attempt brought something unexpected to my attention. Looking at the prompt for a first chapter contest, which involves a picture of a tree, I began to realize that I've already started several novels with the same element in the first chapter. When I was trying to decide which story to use, I kept coming up with ones that had a tree in chapter one but I'd already written that chapter. So far, I've counted at least 5, including the one I did write this week. While 5 isn't a lot considering how many stories I've started, it's still a fair number of novels to involve a tree in the first chapter. I'm guessing I'm not the only one who has common themes and items used in different stories, hence this newsletter.
Do you have a common feature, item or method when it comes to your stories?
This can be an object or element, like a tree. There can be some type of object that sparks the story or creates the conflict, even if they are different items the use of some physical element to get a story going could be seen as using the same device. Maybe you often start a story with descriptions or dialogue about weather. Do you like to include some form of jewelry for the main character or someone on the side? With items and objects, there are plenty of options yet it is also possible to use the same one on various occasions.
Another options is starting stories in the same fashion, the technical side. Options include starting with dialogue, starting the story with a character or world description, or even having to start each story with some type of action. This is easy to do and probably not a big deal if you are just starting out. Someone with 5 stories with 3 that start the same will have a different experience in the concept compared to someone with 50 stories and 10 that are the same. One can't avoid having similar starts in this type of method because in truth there are only so many ways you can start a story.
Then there are the similar characters. This can be tricky because for some, there can be a very good reason to often have the same type of character in a story/novel. For sticking to the same type of genre or having a particular trope that you prefer to write, it certainly can be okay to have similar-esque characters for the story. Even names start to repeat after you get so many stories written. (I may be running out of names at this point.) Having the same type of character, whether it's the main one, secondary, or otherwise, can still be made to work and have aspects that keep them realistic, like an individual. Like every aspect, there is a dependence on how you write the story.
How you start a story can be important, but it also can be just about anything, as long as you get started. I heard somewhere many years ago, I think at a writing convention or something, that often times, one of the most common things cut in editing a novel is the first chapter. So, whether it's good or not. You need to start somewhere. And even if you start in the same place a number of times, how the story comes about in the end can find a variety of places. Just write the story and worry later in editing.
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Do you have a common point, element or way that you've started a few numbers of stories?
Writing prompt for the month (September 2022) - Write the beginning for three very different stories but use the same element in all three. That element can be anything, whether it's having something about a tree be used, make the weather be a focus for a character, or even have all three start with the characters having breakfast. Doesn't matter what you choose (tree, rock, cowboy, anything) or the length. Enjoy trying out a few different ideas to get the writing energy flowing. Have fun!
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Fantasy: September 07, 2022 Issue [#11546]
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