Tips for Writing the Beginning of a Fiction Piece

The beginning is crucial for the fiction writer, and not just because this is the chance to catch an agent's or publisher's eye, but to endear readers to the narrative. We want all three to have a clear idea of where the story is headed, but also lay on some suspense and curiosity.

Suspense is the writer's friend. It can be the most important piece to a novel or short story. It can be created in one sentence. "I heard the footsteps coming up the stairs, and the metal axe banging sliding along with the monster." Suspense can be far better than that, but you get the point. The writer can work in many things to add suspense to a story. And they can be used in any form of fiction; it does not have to be in horror or thrillers. We first must make the reader care for the character, and then put the character in a situation that is tough to get out of. The protagonist could be a young boy stuck in his room, waiting for the killer to climb the stairs. Or it could be the feint of a kiss on the lips of a beautiful woman. We can play with suspense. It makes the reader curious.

Curiosity in the reader is key. They must have a desire to see the story through to the end. Without a sense of entertainment and being curious, the reader will put the book down. Consider the mystery: we work in elements of the detective to make him likeable, but often he needs some vices like drinking to get him into tough situations. Curiosity can come from what situation the detective finds his or herself in, and how they must escape it. We allow the detective to have some of these problems in the beginning, because we are foreshadowing deeper into the story. There can be other love elements because, much like suspense, the writer must play with every human emotion. When the writer explores emotion early, they can be assured many readers will find the beginning interesting.

Beginnings should have both the suspense and curiosity. The characters must also have a drive in them. The writer does not have to give everything away, but a general portrait will help the reader continue to flip the pages.

The writer can catch the agent and publisher's eye, but forget the reader. The reader is your intended audience. Try to think of the writing as something you would want to read. We can explore suspense and curiosity forever, but, in the end, it is about choosing the right elements and details.