 Action/Adventure: February 26, 2014 Issue [#6182] |
  Action/Adventure
This week: Starting Decision: Set Up or Drop In Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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An Elf (written) Action/Adventure Newsletter
When starting a story of any length there is a decision that needs to be made. Do you start by setting things up, introducing character and their current situation, or drop the reader in the heated moment where all things change? Either options has potential, it's up to the writer which will work best for their story. |
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It's a story. It has to start somewhere.
Where do you start a story is a common struggle and question. Getting those first words down, the ones that will catch the readers attention and make them want to read the rest.
The Set Up
This is a common approach where you try to set the scene and allow the reader to maybe get to know the main character a little before you throw them on their action/adventure route. There might be something happening to draw the reader in a little, because it's still common to hear "start with action" but there is a little time before we get to the real drive forward (common in novels in particular). This is where we get to know the farm boy and some minor struggles before he has to give up everything after attack/etc to leave on adventure to change the world. Just one example but big point (okay a fantasy cliche one but adventure relevant). It's a slower start at times and the usefulness will depend on a number of factors. There are a few different approaches often taken, so let's look at a couple of them quick then I'll get on to another method of starting.
First thing in the morning is a common time people start stories. Makes sense to some degree and plus sleeping isn't information we often need when it comes to the characters, even though we are aware they do things like sleep. The morning approach varies to a slight degree (I've noticed in particular with young adult attempts but happens in adult stories as well) but can start with either the character waking up, going through the process of getting ready for some day of theirs, and/or eating breakfast. Pancakes are common, which I don't quite know why. Then again, I more often had pancakes as dinner and not in the morning, so maybe I have an odd experience with common breakfast foods. Anyways, breakfast and morning, all common starts though sometimes overdone.
The regular day is another approach. This shows what a character's life is like before things go awry. We get eased into the world though the eyes of the main character, get to know situations a little and maybe even have a smidgen of interest in them before things start to get action/adventure-y. This is a start focused on build up though some little problems may come up at first.
There is also the setting approach, often done in short stories where it only takes up a couple paragraphs, but we get a glimpse at the scenery, the world before we dive into other aspects of the story. Done at times in novels too, though some suggest not to start of with lengthy setting descriptions. It can work to start building the scene, preparing the reader for what is to come in later parts of the story, just depends on how it is written.
Dive In
This is the action first, ask questions later approach. Jump right in with stuff going on and excite the reader. This tries to make the reader interested, gives questions, and attempts to entice them to read more in order to find out what is going on because stuff happens right away. Which can also be a risk. Start in the middle and since the reader doesn't have emotional investment yet, they might not care to keep reading. But it's still an approach to starting stories that sometimes works.
Waking up is actually a little common here too, with a slight twist. Instead of the character waking up in the morning about to go about their day, often times they are waking up after something happened to them. Injuries and who knows how long or why levels of unconsciousness has been a common start for stories that I've read on here. In particular actiony fantasy type ones. What makes injured, unconscious wake up more of a "dive in" than a "set up" is that we don't know what happened, we don't know why and often, neither does the character but they are in the middle of something and along the actiony way we later find out more.
Then there is the "I'm already on a quest" approach where we get someone in the middle of a task, adventuring already instead of starting off with them untucking from their cozy home bed. Or in the middle of a chase scene, or an escape. These are options all often taken when diving into the story right away. Much to pick from and many choices in the genres of action and adventure.
Or middle of argument. This one is tricky, as can any start with dialogue because sometimes it's a struggle for a reader to get interested when given what is in many ways half of a conversation. They don't know what started things in the beginning, just what they happen to walk in on. It can work if a little unsettled feeling is okay with the start of the story, and sometimes dialogue makes a great attention getter, but there are setbacks as well, like with almost any approach. It's one option at least.
These aren't the only ways to start a story and I may have made up the terms used to discuss the topics, but the beginning of a story is an important one. You want to make it great, so think about it. How will you begin your next action/adventure story?
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Here are a few things I found when looking for static items in the action/adventure genre. Of which use different approaches to how they start, maybe check to see which ones jump right in and which give a set up.
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1978624 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1978639 by Not Available. |
|  | Nix (13+)
Bank robbery featuring a super power from a provided list. (UH&VN Contest, 2/18/14).
#1977937 by Jeff   |
Submitted to the newsletter back in October:
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1955047 by Not Available. |
Also, check out a new "unofficial" group that has a contest focused on heroes and villains.
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1969815 by Not Available. |
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Which method do you prefer when starting a story? Do your characters like pancakes?
My first and most recent attempt at this newsletter was back in October when I discussed writing action scenes despite not knowing how to do the actions sequences ourselves. I received a few comments and here are a couple of them. Thanks all that responded to my past newsletter.
Comment by Sagittarius de Crucis 
Honestly, I find that looking up traditional fighting styles on Youtube that may not be well known tends to help with my action scenes. Anime also helps due to the flashy nature of animated combat. I draw my own inspiration from my personal combat experience, several Gundam anime seasons that I've watched in the past, as well as demo videos on Youtube.
- Interesting idea. There is so much on youtube and such that I'll have to check some out in the future. Thanks for the suggestion.
Comment by BIG BAD WOLF is Merry 
I watch various movies and tv shows.
- Movies and tv can be great to watch, getting to see the movements visually. The challenge then becomes putting them to words.
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Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 5.99
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